“But as He
which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”
(1 Peter 1:15-16)
Ignoring the words God actually uses to teach a doctrine often causes heresies and misunderstanding of Scripture. Not taking account of even the little words of the Bible can result in the reader misinterpreting an otherwise simple text. How often believers neglect the ifs, buts, and therefores found throughout Scripture. In this study we are going to look at that very important, though small, word “be.”
“Be” has a variety of meanings in English, which depend on the context of the statement made. In our opening text it is used to “express obligation or necessity” [The New Oxford Dictionary of English]. “Be” is derived from the old English word “bēon” that was used instead of “am, become, bring forth, and remain.” There are only two possible ways to interpret “be” in 1 Peter 1:15-16:
1) Remain holy - stay in the state of holiness.
2) Become holy – Become that which you are not at present.
Some say that the believer came into the state of holiness at the new birth, others teach that it is part of a second blessing that is experienced at some point in the Christian life, but it is unacceptable to proclaim that it is not necessary to maintain a holy walk.
We acknowledge that the believer is made holy at salvation, and that holiness is part of the maturing process until he meets the Lord face to face. Also, as is evident, most Christians arrive at a crisis point where they acknowledge the fact that they are not where they ought to be. They realise their personal need of holiness and sanctification, and thus seek to overcome sin. Jamieson, Fausett and Brown, in their commentary, say that the Greek word “kai” (be) means to “become”. To emphasis the fact they continue, “Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father.” Those who reject the need for practical holiness have their heads in the sand rather than in the living Word of God.
Those who claim that they are holy and reject the need for daily and practical holiness, have to explain why Peter used the word “be” in the text. By seeking to maintain faulty theology they must make his statement read, “Ye are holy.”
The apostle is encouraging his readers to be what they were not at that moment, or to remain in the state of holiness. This same thought can be applied to Jesus’ words found in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. If the believer cannot deviate from the state of holiness and perfection, what is the point of the obvious command? Remember, there are no surplus words in God’s book, “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).
“We must not only submit to God’s commands but seek to imitate His holiness” (People’s New Testament). We can see no other alternative to this understanding of 1 Peter 1:15-16. If we accept that holiness is completely imputed at the new birth or that it is an ongoing process, surely we agree that it is vital for believers to be Christlike, godly and holy in their conduct and character?
Holiness and sanctification demand separation from unholiness. If this is not the case what is Paul referring to when he writes, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17)? Is he not stating the blatantly obvious, that not until the believer lives a truly separate life can he enjoy full fellowship with God? Also, what other interpretation can we place on 2 Corinthians 7:1, (“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God”), than one of practical holiness? While God alone can cleanse us from sin, we must be willing to receive cleansing and walk in obedience day by day. All sin is an act of unholiness, and who is there that can claim he does not commit sin. When a believer sins he is stepping out side of holiness, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), but God has made provision for him to return to holiness, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Mathew 24:44). “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). There are many verses that use the word “be” in this fashion, but we can clearly see how foolish it would be to reject the need of what each is proclaiming. Along with our opening text their significance is destroyed if we dismiss the daily application of them.
Let us not be guilty of wresting the Scriptures to our own hurt (2 Peter 3:16).
Whether ‘tis nobler to the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of sin,
And continue living in outrageous disobedience,
Or to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit,
To
oppose Him is to die: to sleep.
Page created 22 March 2006