In 1 Peter 1:13-15, Peter lays down the spiritual gauntlet! He calls the exiled readers to no longer be conformed to the desires of "their former ignorance", but to be holy in all their conduct.

What what does it mean to be Holy?

Most people think it means perfect, making no errors ever and therefore give up on the call he makes here to be holy as He is holy. But that's not exactly what this means.

Holy in the biblical sense means to be separated, dedicated for use, set apart for God, but it isn't just a state of "being", it accompanies a pattern of doing; of making our daily deportment and conduct "like His" in every way.

We know we can do this, not by the strength of our own grit, but because the power of Holy Spirit has come to live in us and empowers us to perform the tasks He has given us; He gives us the ability to BE holy; for everything we do, think, and say to be dedicated fully to Him and His purposes.

I recall 2 Chronicles 16:9, maybe my most favorite verse, where we see the eyes of the Lord going to and fro throughout the whole earth looking for those whose hearts are 'fully devoted' to Him. Another way to say that would be "hearts which are Holy towards Him. Dedicated. Set apart. Special."

When Joshua took off his sandals because he was on Holy Ground, the ground was the same ground he'd been on before. The only difference was the presence of the Angel of the Lord. His presence made it holy.

So it is with the burning bush, mount Sanai, the Holy of Holies in the temple and even with US. We can be Holy in our conduct because He has made us Holy by His presence.

In 1 Peter 1, the readers were purified by their obedience. May our obedience purify us today. May we be Holy as He is Holy.