Why 1:16? The Call to Holiness (Part 5 of 5)

Before the 1:16 Bible Study Group was even an idea, the standard of holiness weighed heavily on me. I grew up in church. I wasn’t perfect—not even close—but I never wanted to excuse my sin or presume that God's grace gave me a license to live however I wanted.

God’s standard of holiness hasn’t changed just because “times have.” And even now, as an adult who has lived through both successes and failures, that same call to holiness still presses on my heart.

That’s why 1 Peter 1:16 was chosen as one of, if not the foundation Scripture for this group.

1 Peter 1:16

“Because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

The Church's Call

The church—meaning the people, not the building—was given a clear, uncompromising command:
Be holy, because God is holy.

It’s simple in its wording but feels impossible in its expectation.
After all, WE’RE HUMAN.

How can flawed, limited people ever live up to the standards of a perfect God who is so far above sin that He can’t even be tempted by it (James 1:13)?

It’s like 7’1” prime Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal for you non-sports folks) telling 5’10” me—on a good day with a mini-fro, and a belly chub and skinny legs—to dunk on a 10-foot hoop. Ain’t happening.

But… what if I humbled myself and let him lift me?

Then you might just see me hang from the rim like I did something.
Let’s unpack that.

 Holiness by the Holy Spirit

Shaq is obviously not the Holy Spirit, but even as I wrote that analogy, it hit me:

I can’t dunk on my own—and I can’t be holy on my own either.

But if I humble myself and let the Holy Spirit lift me, what was once impossible becomes possible.

Could that be why Jesus said:
“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
(Mark 10:15)

Children know their limits and ask for help.
Adults—especially men—struggle with that.
But holiness starts with humility. And we cannot walk in holiness without the Holy Spirit.

What Is Holiness?

Holiness means being set apart for sacred use—being spiritually pure, untainted by evil, without sin, sinless.

But holiness isn’t just about what we avoid. It’s about the condition of the heart.

Circumcision of the Heart

In the Old Testament, circumcision was a physical act that:

·       Removed the foreskin that all males are born with.

·       Once completed, it separated Israelite men from the rest of the nations.

·       It was the physical act that brought Israel into covenant with God through Abraham.

·       Practically, it’s easier to cleanse.

Spiritually, God calls us to circumcise our hearts—to remove the sin we were born with so that we can enter into covenant with Him through Jesus.

A circumcised heart:

·       Removes the foreskin of sin from our heart that we're all born with.

·       Once done, it separates those who have done so from the rest of the world.

·       It brings us into covenant with God through Jesus.

·       Spiritually, it’s easier to shape and cleanse from sin than a hardened heart.

·       Establishes and openness to Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

You can’t go to a doctor and ask them to remove the “foreskin” of your heart.
This is a spiritual surgery, and it begins with repentance—turning from sin and turning back to God.

Why 1 Peter 1:16 Matters

God doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

We won’t be able to stand before Him and say,
"But Lord, I was just living by the standards of my generation."

No. What God commanded Israel in Leviticus 19:2, Peter repeated to the Church in 1 Peter 1:16, and that same call still stands today.

God’s standard of holiness will never lower itself to meet our comfort.
So we must not twist His truth to fit our desires.

Instead, we must daily ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in us—so that we can live out the holiness God requires.

And when we live as a holy church, we show the world what God expects from the citizens of His Kingdom.

Final Thought

We hope this series has blessed and challenged you.
More than anything, we pray it has reminded you of who you are, whose you are, and what it truly means to walk in grace, truth, and holiness.

What will you do with the call?

Will you choose holiness?

Will you choose Jesus?