Day 9

God is Holy

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

1 Peter 1:15-16

When Peter wrote these words to scattered believers, he was speaking to Christians living in difficult, hostile environments. They were strangers in the world, surrounded by cultures and pressures that pulled them toward compromise. In that setting, Peter reminds them of the character of their God — holy, pure, and set apart — and calls them to reflect that same character in every area of their lives.

Holiness, at its core, means to be “set apart.” God is perfectly holy because He is utterly different from all created things — His thoughts, His love, His purity, and His justice have no equal. When Peter says, “Be holy in all you do,” he isn’t commanding perfection through human effort; he is inviting believers to live in response to who God is. The call to holiness is a call to reflect God’s nature in our everyday words, choices, and attitudes.

For many of us, holiness feels like an impossible standard. We look at our mistakes, temptations, and failures and wonder how we could ever resemble a holy God. Yet holiness begins not with our perfection, but with our relationship with Him. Peter reminds us that “He who called you is holy.” God’s call always includes His power to transform. Holiness is not a list of rules to keep; it’s the result of walking closely with the One who changes us from the inside out.

When we draw near to God through prayer, His Word, and obedience, His Spirit begins to shape our desires. The habits that once held us captive lose their grip. The attitudes that once defined us — bitterness, pride, impatience — begin to fade as His character becomes ours. Holiness grows in the soil of relationship. It’s less about what we avoid and more about who we become.

Personally, I’ve learned that holiness is mostly tested in the small, unseen moments — my tone in a conversation, the thoughts I entertain, and how I respond when I’m wronged. There are days I fall short and feel unworthy of the name “holy.” Yet even then, God’s grace draws me back, reminding me that He hasn’t called me to be flawless, but faithful. Holiness is a daily choice that aligns my heart with His — I must say “yes” to what honors Him and “no” to what doesn’t.

FURTHER REFLECTION: 

• Where is God calling you to “be holy” today? Maybe it’s in your speech, your work ethic, your relationships, or how you spend your time. Remember, holiness isn’t about achieving purity on your own — it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to reproduce God’s character in you.

PRAYER:

Lord, You are holy, and You have called me to reflect Your holiness in every part of my life. Set my heart apart for You. Make me more like You in my thoughts, words, and actions. May my life point others to Your goodness and grace. Amen.

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 5:48, Colossians 3:12

by: Bart Mosley