Investment 2

1 Peter 1:14-15

When our children were in elementary school the issue of school uniforms was a hot-button topic in our town. Many people opposed them as a form of oppression and a way to remove individuality and creativity. We were fine with the concept of school uniforms. It made it easy to decide what each child would wear every day.

After seeing children in school uniforms in other countries I realized that they are a way to provide a sense of belonging to the children. It is evident at a glance who the children are and where they belong. Their outward appearance is an indication of who they are.

When it comes to our faith in Christ we too must put on a sort of uniform. What does Peter urge us NOT to do? How should we behave? Who is our model?

While we may not be expected to all wear the same clothes to show the world we are followers of Jesus, we are urged to have the same type of behavior and attitude. If we will be obedient children of God – that is, if we will love God and do as He desires us to do – then we will not fall to the temptations of earthly life. Rather, our behavior will be the actions of holy people, people who live as Jesus did, expressing care and compassion to others.

Being a child of God means more than just a superficial name we call ourselves. It goes deeper than outward appearances and uniform clothing. If we will be children of God we will be holy because God is holy. We will live a holy life sharing God’s love with all around us.

Like God we must be caring for the people who are in need. We must be forgiving of those who need to know forgiveness. We must resist the temptations of the world, the desire to get ahead in life at any cost, to worry more about ourselves than anyone else, and to find pleasure at the expense of others.

Holy behavior and faith in God requires an investment on our part. We must put forth the effort to live holy lives, modeling ourselves after God in human form – Jesus. “Faith” is more than a word and “Christianity” is more than a name. It requires our commitment to live as we should.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to be holy?