" Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."
(1 Peter 1:2)
Introduction
At the heart of the Gospel message is the doctrine of holiness. If we have been delivered from bondage to sin, then it follows that God has given us the
privilege to walk in holiness. Holiness is lived out in obedience.
The Purpose of Redemption
When we were lost in our sinfulness we were going our own way, away from God. The purpose of redemption is to bring us to God and the place of perfect obedience. Without redemption we cannot be children of God, but once saved we are expected to obey the Lord in every way. This means we are going God's way instead of our own.
Following His Steps
" For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit we can bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. This being so, and only then, will we joyfully obey and follow His steps.
Unto Obedience
What kind of people do we want as our friend? Do we not want those whom we can trust? It doesn't matter if they are not highly educated or have well-paid jobs, but it is important that they are faithful. In fact we disapprove of the very opposite.
Should we expect God to have lower standards than our own? He wants men and women who desire to be sanctified unto obedience. Will we allow His Holy Spirit to remove all the disobedience and self-pleasing out of our hearts?
We know our own failure, slip-shod nature, and how often we play the hypocrite with other believers, but let us not overlook the fact that God knows all about us too. All of this can be altered if we would but be sanctified in body, soul, and spirit, so that we can obey Him and be ready for Him to use us for His glory.
Conclusion
We need to be perfectly obedient to our Master. Unless all self-will and self-pleasing is taken out of our hearts we cannot follow in Christ's steps.
"Holiness must be the supreme aim: prompt obedience to all known truth,
a single eye in serving God, and zeal for His glory. "
(A. T. Pierson)