Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy When studying the Bible we might confuse ourselves by taking individual passages out of context or by weighting some passages more than others.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Example: Matt. 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy The religious world gloms on to this verse with gusto whenever it suits their idea or their situation. Many will say, “You’re judging me and Jesus said…”

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy When Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7 is taken in context anyone can understand that He is specifically condemning hypocritical judging and not judging in general. Matt. 7:1-5

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Jesus teaches us how to judge. John 7:24 – Jesus commands us to judge with righteous judgment.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy John 7:21-24 – Jesus points out to the Jews who accuse him of having a demon that they can judge the righteousness of performing circumcision but they cannot judge the righteousness through which he performs healings. Luke 12:54-56 – Jesus tells the Jews that they discern the weather but they do not discern the time

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy This judging, as Jesus points out, should start with self. 2 Cor. 13:5-6 – Paul tells us to examine ourselves, judge ourselves Paul went so far with this judging that he asked them to examine him to see if he was in the faith.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Being in the faith is not a passive thing. It is a constant and continual walk with God. It requires us to obey God, not just acknowledge Him and say we love God. Walk in the spirit – Gal. 5:16-26 Walk in unity – Eph. 4:1-16 Walk in love – Eph. 5:1-7 Walk in light – Eph. 5:8-14 Walk in wisdom – Eph. 5:15-21 Put on the armor of God – Eph. 6:10-20

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Many times we have the admonition to love God. Our love for God is determined by our obedience. (It is one thing to say, but another to say and do.)

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:23 - “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” 1 John 4:20-5:5 – If someone says, “I love God”…for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments…he who overcomes the world… believes that Jesus is the Son of God

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Finally we come to the title of the lesson. 1 Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.” This is not the only place that we have this exhortation.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy When the Israelites receive the law they were commanded to be holy. Lev. 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7 1 Peter 2:9-10 – under Christ God’s people are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a special people, cf. Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6, 14:21, 26:19

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Israel was admonished to be a holy people and so are we. 2 Cor. 6:16-18 – “…they shall be My people. Come out from among them and be separate…” The world around us does not strive to be holy but we are admonished to be holy. This separation is a separation is a separation to holiness.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy While that alone will separate us from the world and show us to be different from the world there is still the fact that we must always remember to be humble. Matt. 8:8 – “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.”

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy The centurion was a man of power in a land where he had some authority yet he recognized the authority of Jesus and he recognized his own worth as compared to Jesus.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy Even Jesus humbled Himself as an example for us. Heb. 2:9 – He was made lower than the angels Phil. 2:7 – he came to earth in the form of a man John 13:1-17 – Jesus washed the feet of the disciples Phil. 2:8 – he allowed Himself to be crucified

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy So Christians are going to be holy. They are also going to be humble. They are going to show their love of God by their obedience. They are going to be able to make a judgment about a thing. They will make that judgement with obedience to God, with love, with humility and with holiness.

Be Holy… But I’m Not Worthy We must be holy , in the humility , of Jesus.