that I should obey Him? - Future Israel Ministries

THE HOLINESS OF GOD 39
(4) All true believers, having been called from darkness unto light, 2:9a, are, by
declaration, holy.
(5) John Murray writes in his article on Definitive Sanctification:
“When we speak of sanctification we generally think of it as that process by
which the believer is gradually transformed in heart, mind, will, and conduct,
and conformed more and more to the will of God and to the image of Christ,
until at death the disembodied spirit is made perfect in holiness, and at the
resurrection his body likewise will be conformed to the likeness of the body
of Christ’s glory. It is biblical to apply the term ‘sanctification’ to this process
of transformation and conformation. But it is a fact too frequently overlooked
that in the New Testament the most characteristic terms that refer to
sanctification are used, not of a process, but of a once-for-all definitive act. . .
. We are thus compelled to take account of the fact that the language of
sanctification [holiness] is used with reference to some decisive action that
occurs at the inception of the Christian life, and one that characterizes the
people of God in their identity as called effectually by God’s grace. It would
be, therefore, a dereliction from biblical patterns of language and conception
to think of sanctification exclusively in terms of a progressive work.” 24
b. The consequence of practical holiness in I Peter 1:13-16.
(1) The context is the believer’s privileged position as a happy participant, 1:8,
in God’s matchless plan of salvation, 1:10-12. There is a three-fold testimony
given as proof:
(a) The Old Testament prophets, “were not serving themselves, but you,”
1:10-12a.
(b) The New Testament apostles, “preached the gospel to you by the Holy
Spirit sent from heaven,” 1:12b.
(c) The angels, with rapt attention and admiration, are amazed at such a
depth of grace bestowed on human sinners, especially since they, a
higher created order (Heb. 2:6-7), yet are not the objects of such saving
interest (Luke 2:13-14), v. 12c.
(2) In the light of such gracious privilege, believers are soberly exhorted to
exercise their minds towards holy activity, vs. 13-14.
(a) “Therefore” calls us to reflect in our minds upon our responsibilities in
the realm of holiness in view of our holy and merciful privileges (Rom.
12:1).
(b) “Gird up your minds for action,” pictures an eastern person dressed in a
long, loose garment who desires to run quickly without tripping. Hence,
24 John Murray, Collected Writings of John Murray, II, p. 277-8.