Holy Because He is Holy

Peter transitions here with a "therefore." Because of your identity as chosen exiles and because of the salvation you have received - be sober-minded. Peter continues the theme that he introduced from the outset that obedience and being sprinkled with the blood of Christ go hand in hand. He tells them here to have minds ready for action with a hope set on the revelation to come. A future hope that fuels present obedience. As those who have received salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, Peter urges them not to live according to their former ignorance - but instead to be holy as the Lord is holy. This is the only way for strangers/aliens/exiles to conduct themselves while living in this strange land - with holy conduct that matches the holy conduct of the One who called us.

Is this how we conduct ourselves? Does our conduct more closely resemble the holiness of the One who called us or the inhabitants of the land in which we live as exile? For some reason, holiness has become a word that we look down on. We spend more time and energy and effort making sure to convince people that we aren't holy nor do we presume to be holy. When we think about holiness and righteousness, we cringe and equate them with smugness and hypocrisy. This should not be the case. We should strive to live holy lives. We should cherish holiness and spur one another on to righteous living. These are good things. Peter says it is the only right way for obedient children who have received so great a salvation to live.