1 Peter 1
Leviticus 11:44-45 – For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
1. To sanctify is to set apart. The Lord called the children of Israel to sanctify themselves. To sanctify is to set apart from something or someone. It is a conscience and moral decision to separate (and cleanse) one’s self from sinful and defiling actions, people, and situations. It is a commitment to the ways of God.
2. Be holy as I am holy. The Israelites were called to holiness. He wanted them to duplicate His character and nature. As we receive a similar call to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15), we should also consider God’s character and nature. God forgives. He is patience and kind. God doesn’t take advantage of others or mistreats them for His own purposes. He is not selfish or inconsiderate of others. God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/camptown
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is considered an instruction or teaching that can be learned or developed through experience. Doctrine is associated with a person’s beliefs; the way they ‘see,’ perceive, or relate to the world around them. Each person has a countless number of doctrines on the issues, people, and situations they experience on a daily basis. The number of doctrines a person has is countless and continues to be shaped and expanded throughout a person’s lifetime.
Within Christianity, sound biblical doctrine is based on the biblical teachings, experiences, pastors, ministers, and interactions with fellow brothers and sisters in the local church community. Within the context of this message, doctrine will encompass God’s Word. God’s Word is the foundation of good sound doctrine:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Jesus tells a parable about a pasture land that is given to the sheep that follow Him (John 10:1-18). This peaceful pasture land is given through the gift of eternal life. The sheep represent those the Lord has called by name, loved, and cared for. Jesus said that the sheep know His voice and follow Him (into eternal life) – a stranger they will not follow (John 10:3-5).
Many people want to know how to hear God’s voice. However, the BIGGER desire (or question) must be to KNOW His voice. God speaks to us all (even before believing in Jesus)…and so does the devil (and our own lust). The issue is to recognize God’s voice above all others, so that when He speaks, you know it is the Lord.
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