Holiness and Action

"Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" (1 Peter 1:15).

Many Christians conceive of holiness in terms of inaction, i.e. what we do not do. Too often the church, usually well intentioned, preaches this form of holiness. When I was young this view was expressed by the ditty, "don't drink, don't chew, don't go with girls who do." So we end up with a truncated holiness marked by withdrawal from the world, sin and evil.

Peter presents a more vigorous holiness. "prepare your minds for action" calling us to holiness prompted by grace and hope in Jesus Christ leading to being holy in all we do. This is the holiness that transforms individuals, families, society and culture by conforming to Christ rather than the world. This holiness is identified by counter cultural living shaped by the gospel, the Bible and faith in Jesus. Don't like the depravity depicted in a film? Then make an excellent film that depicts the human condition honestly and hopefully because God is living and active. Christians are called to an active obedience in their holiness, being holy as He is holy.