“Be holy, for I am holy.”

I Peter 1:16 (NKJV)

 

We live in a culture of instant gratification, where we expect quick and simple results with little work. It is as if instant gratification is like a two-minute noodle. This is most evidenced in its pervasive message, "You should be happy, and you should be happy now." When we apply this false assumption to our personal relationship with God, any seeming delay on God's behalf gives the impression that God doesn't care about us.

Our prayer could sound like this: "God, I thought you wanted me to be happy." What if God's answer is, "I want you to be holy." This is not to say that God is uninterested in our welfare and well-being, God cares for us. However, God's perspective is different from ours. To Him, our happiness is secondary to our holiness.

Many believers, on the other hand, struggle to maintain a proper understanding of their life in Christ, and this creates a misconception that holiness is like walking on a tightrope and you really have to walk it carefully to avoid falling into either sin or error. When holiness becomes a goal to achieve perfection rather than a pure expression of love for God, you will eventually perceive holiness as a burden rather than a blessing. This is because you want to earn holiness, and not enjoy holiness.

You are created by God for holiness.

When God says, "Be holy, as I am holy," in the context of 1 Peter 1:16, He is not imposing a demand on us, but rather extending an invitation to us. When you have a firm grasp of holiness, you will discover the life of true happiness that God intended for you. Because every well-loved kid imitates his or her Father, the Apostle Paul instructs us to do what God would do (Ephesians 5:1-2). In other words, holiness is pure happiness. This is because you are reflecting the beauty and truth of God's character back to Him. As a result, our desire for holiness is a heart cry to be like our heavenly Father. It flows from a place of mutual affection rather than fear or shame.

Many people are unhappy because they are chasing happiness.

Learn to rest in the Father's perfect and everlasting love, and true happiness will come as a supernatural blessing of being His sons and daughters.