How in the world can we be holy? (continuing)

We are still working on this concept of how to be holy people. It's not easy, but it's do-able!
Let's dig in, again!
We are focused on these verses this week:

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:14-16)

The second word there is an amazingly large clue. It's almost as if it is written in neon (oh, I forgot, some of you are too young to know what that is....it's like a huge, blinking sign!) and draws our attention. Shade your eyes from the blinky light, and let's explore this, OK?

First, Peter tells us that we need to make a break with our past lifestyle. Uh oh. We don't want to hear that, do we? In fact, being obedient to God in "all of life" just may not appeal. We want to stay in the driver's seat!

What does he mean, "do not be conformed to the evil desires....when you lived in ignorance"? My commentaries wanted me to compare that word "conformed" to another instance in the New Testament. In fact, it's the only other time that the word is used in the New Testament, and it's in one of Paul's letters:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

I want to go a little off track here, to illustrate a point.....bear with me. In the upper Midwest of the United States, there is a state called Wisconsin. They are known for the rolling hills dotted with dairy farms, and the foremost product there is cheese. Know how cheese is made?
Starting with milk, there are good bacteria added, and rennet, to make "curds" that can be pressed into actual cheese. The curds are put into a mold and a press comes down and squishes it (I hope you appreciate the research that gave us that technical term) and the excess water is mooshed out (another technical term). After the excess moisture is gone, the cheese will retain that shape and be cured, to give us the blocks and shreds that we purchase at the store.
Kinda like the old butter molds that people used. Same concept. Press into a mold and make the product look like you want it.

In the same way, the world would love to squeeze us into its own mold. It will try really hard to do so. The pressure can be intense! But Peter and Paul are both telling us here that it's important to resist that pressure. To let God change us from within.
Our past lifestyle was marked by our constant efforts to fulfill selfish desires (v 14). Other translations use the word "lusts" where the NIV says "evil desires." You see, the word "lusts" doesn't only refer to sexual desire, but to all kinds of selfishness. Wealth, power, pleasure. All of those. Every time we are seeking to gratify ourselves, or elevate ourselves over others. That word lust makes us think more of the very strong tug that can be exerted by temptations and sins. Those feelings and desires have free rein in unbelievers -- Peter says it's because they are ignorant of God, His holiness, and His grace.
But as Christians, we should be growing in our knowledge of God. We no longer have to be controlled by selfish desires. In fact, we should make a break with those self-centered thoughts, and the "me, me, me" living that marked us before we met Christ. We can live for His purposes, not for our own.

I kinda think that this explains some of the shallow Christianity that we see in folks today. I wonder if people "invite" Jesus into their heart without really knowing what that means. They are told that He will give them abundant life. They think, "Cool!" and never move out of the driver's seat of their life.

If they like what Jesus is doing for them, and they think they are better off now than before, they'll stick with Him. Let Him stay "in office."
But they've never really made a break with their past life. They've not repented of the sins in their lives, and they've never yielded control to Jesus, and made Him Lord of their lives. They are still right there in the driver's seat, and running their own lives. They are living for the same desires that they lived for before. I know it's not politically correct, but I'm going to lay it on the line here....
That isn't saving faith.
It just isn't.
Saving faith means repentance.

But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:3b)

It means turning away from our sin.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

And it means trying to live for Him, for His purposes.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8)

Making a break with our past lifestyle is a good first step in trying to live the holy life that Peter is talking about!