Sanctification: Positional and Personal
1 Peter 1:13-21
Mark Kulikovsky – 1st December 2019
- Sanctification simply means “set apart for God” and the Bible seems to say that it is something that has already happened (cf. 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11) BUT is also still to happen (cf. 1 Thess 4:3-7). Consider the following diagram which tries to represent these two ideas. How helpful (or not) is it? The ‘wiggly’ line is deliberately drawn as it is to symbolise what goes on in our lives. Discuss what you think it is representing.
- Re-read 1 Peter 1 and using the table below jot down some of the great truths that Peter reminds his readers of and what are the implications of them or the response they should prompt.
| The Truth/Facts | The Implications/Response Required |
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Focusing more specifically on 1 Peter 1:13-21, Mark suggested in the sermon that there are four lessons to learn about how we should be developing in our personal sanctification:
- The battle for holiness requires determination (v. 13).
- The practice of holiness requires obedience (v. 14a).
- The pursuit of holiness requires imitation (vv. 15-16).
- The quest for holiness requires motivation (vv. 17-21).
- What can we do to more adequately prepare our minds for action and how can we exercise better self-control?
- What does it mean to live as God’s obedient children? What does this look like in practical and relevant ways for us today?
- Mark suggested in the sermon that imitation of God’s holiness is not about withdrawing into a monastic lifestyle but being holy personally, corporately, and socially? Discuss some ways in which we can be more holy in each of these three areas of life (see also 1 Pet 2:11-17).
- Two possible motivations for being holy that flow from what Peter says are: (1) fear of God, and (2) thankfulness to God. Discuss what these mean? Can you think of any others?