The Manner of Holiness- 1 Peter 2:11-12

We are always on the look at out for the latest secret to health or wealth or growth. If you type in “the secret to...” in a Google search bar, you will come up with a few options: success, superhuman strength, change in focus, better health, southern charm, good life, a long-term relationship, or change.

We are always wanting to become better, to enjoy life more, and to grow. While none of those Google suggestions are wrong in and of themselves, they fall short of what should be the greatest desire of our lives: spiritual growth. Or, to put it inline with our current epistle, growth in holiness.

As followers of Jesus Christ we should desire to grow into holiness. But so often we are left with the question of how. We have discussed the call to holiness, the method to holiness, and the Maker of holiness. This morning we are examining the manner of holiness. Or, to put it in a more attention-grabbing way, the secret to holiness. But I use that term secret with tongue in cheek because it really is not a secret. It may not be well-known. It may not be popular in the Christian book sections. It may not even be taught in pulpits. That does not matter. What matters is that it is found in God’s Word, and if we are to grow in holiness then we must follow the ABCs of growth. That is, if through the salvation of the Triune God you follow His Word, you will grow in holiness. It is simple, but not easy, for reasons that we will discuss this morning.

By abstaining from fleshly desires, being mindful of our citizenship, and conducting ourselves honorably, we will grow in holiness.

I. Abstaining from fleshly desires- 2:11b

We begin this manner of avoiding fleshly desires. Peter tells us to abstain. While this word would not be common in our every day conversations, the concepts clearly are. Abstaining means avoiding, staying away from, or staying clear. If you have ever had problems with poison ivy, you do not have to be told to abstain from it, you do so willingly and eagerly.

It involves putting a distance between you and the thing from which you are abstaining. If you are walking in the woods and you spot leaves of three you let them be! If you are walking down the street and you see a car swerving all over the place you abstain from that car. We understand the concept completely, the problem is not one of failure to understand but of failure to engage. What makes this so difficult? Peter tells us: it involves abstaining from fleshly desires.

What are fleshly desires? He refers to them as passions, desires. These are natural desires that every human being has to one degree or another. For example, the desire to eat is a good and God-given desire to help human beings stay alive. The desire for relationships is another desire that is good. The desire for sex, for financial resources, sleep, and many others are natural desires. They are a part of God’s image in us, and they are good.

If they are so good, then why should we abstain from them? Because they are fleshly desires. They are not innocent desires, they are desires corrupted by our sin natures. The Baptist Confession of Faith describes this as “remnants of corruption in every part...” That is, because we are sinners our natural, good, and God-given desires are warped. They are marred. For example, the desire to sleep is good. We need rest to recover physically and spiritually. The problem is not that the desire is bad in and of itself, the problem is that we are sinners who desire sleep. Thus, rather than sleep 8 hours a night, some are prone to sleep 14 hours a night, and not go to work because they desire sleep.

The same can be demonstrated with sex. It is a good and natural desire. However, it is marred by our fallen natures. Thus, we desire it outside of the proportions God has given. That desire, if untamed by the Spirit of God, would run wild and rampant, which violates the goodness of the desire because it violates the commands and will of God.

But Peter goes on to elaborate on the dangers. In fact, he gives us an important yet often forgotten part of the equation: the fact of war. These desires, Peter says, “war against your soul.” They strategize against us. Our desires actively plan and pursue our demise. Our fleshly desires (desires misshapen by the fallen nature) are not innocent bystanders but militants against our souls.

Abstain from them! Peter tells us, and he provides us with an insight into our understanding of the conflict that involves letter B...

II. Be mindful of your citizenship- 2:11a

He begins this section with “as sojourners and exiles,” describing how we are to view ourselves. This involves our minds, as Paul refers to “renewing the spirit of your minds,” in Eph. 4:23. Be mindful of your citizenship. We are not earthlings, we are citizens of heaven, of God’s kingdom. Therefore we abstain from the passions of the flesh because we are citizens of heaven. The people of this earth, those outside of Christ, live as people of this earth. It should not surprise us, then, when earthlings live like earthlings. When we see some outlandish example of passions of the flesh on TV, we should not be shocked (saddened, sure, but not shocked).

What should shock us, though, is that Christians engage in the passions of the soul. We need to remember that we are citizens of God’s kingdom.

III. Conduct yourself honorably - 2:12