The Command to Live Holy Lives (3/29/2026)

A Study in 1 Peter 1

“…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14).

Having just given a general instruction that Christians are to get control of their minds and be serious about their Christian pursuit, Peter here narrows his scope of teaching to “obedient children,” a label that indicates there is such a designation as “disobedient children.”

Those who are now “obedient” are not to be enticed to fall back into their former sinful ways—that is, to the “former lusts” they had done in “ignorance,” meaning a lack of the knowledge of God’s expectations of them spiritually.

Rather, they are to live “holy” lives, meaning “sacred” lives or lives “dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose.” Living in such a way is possible or the apostle would not have been inspired to give such a command. God is “holy”; and as followers of God, we are to strive to live lives based on spiritual principles laid out for us in the New Testament.

This verse refutes claims made by some religionists that the Bible does not give us solid commands but rather presents general guidelines around which we can design a lifestyle of our own choosing. To live “holy” lives means to live according to God’s instruction provided for the Christian Age.