Being Set Apart

 

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and agave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:13-21 ESV).

 

There are so many times when we practice the task of setting things apart. I especially practice this in doing the laundry. Since I wear so many maroon clothes, it has been a long practice not to wash those pieces with any of the white clothing. This is really important when your practice is to wear white underwear! I just have a very difficult time thinking about putting pink underwear on. I suppose there is some psychological childhood issue in that regard. You know the enjoinder: “You never know when you might have an accident and you wouldn’t want strangers to see you with that on.”

 

In our reading today we see that phrase used in reference to who we are in Christ. To be holy means to be “set apart.” We are called to distance ourselves from sin and impurity, even as we live among all kinds of people in this world. “Going with the flow” is not a practice for believers. By calling his people to be holy, God wanted them to be a shining light of his blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:2-3). But Israel continually failed to be the holy nation God formed them to be. That is why the prophets kept calling them back to living God’s way—that is, by loving God with all their heart, mind, and strength and by loving their neighbors as themselves.

 

In this Lenten season, we and others are called back to living for God and showing his love, as Jesus did. The world continues to be shaped by Christians who push back the darkness and reclaim this lost world for Christ. Sometimes it is a fearful thing to be a prophet. It can also be exciting and fulfilling work. The world needs more prophets today.