1 Peter – A Biblical Foundation for the Church Today Episode 2: “A Holy People in an Unholy World”

In 1 Peter 1:13–21, Peter shows us what flows out of that revelation: a life of holiness — a community of people whose relationships, values, and character reflect the holiness of God Himself.

Transcript

1 Peter – A Biblical Foundation for the Church Today

Episode 2: “A Holy People in an Unholy World”

Welcome back to A Biblical Foundation for the Church Today.

I’m Pastor Chris Lovell, and in this series, we’re exploring what it truly means to be the Church — not an institution or a building, but the ekklesia, the people of God called out to live and love like Jesus.

In our last episode, we looked at how the Church is founded not on human systems, but on revelation — the revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Today, in 1 Peter 1:13–21, Peter shows us what flows out of that revelation: a life of holiness — a community of people whose relationships, values, and character reflect the holiness of God Himself.

So let’s dive in.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

Peter begins by calling believers to “gird up the loins of your mind.”

He’s saying — get your mind ready for action. Don’t drift; live alert, focused, and anchored in the hope of Christ.

Holiness begins in the mind — in how we think about God, about others, and about ourselves.

But notice, Peter links this to hope: “rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be revealed.”

In other words, holiness flows from grace, not guilt.

It’s not driven by fear of failure, but by love for the Father.

When our hearts are filled with hope in Christ, obedience becomes joyful, not burdensome.

That’s the heartbeat of the ekklesia — a people motivated by hope, not held by habit.

When Peter quotes, “Be holy, for I am holy,” he’s not calling the Church to religious performance — he’s calling us into relationship.

In the Old Testament, holiness often meant ritual separation. But in Christ, holiness means relational transformation — becoming like Him in how we treat others, how we forgive, how we serve.

That’s why true holiness cannot exist in isolation.

We don’t become holy by hiding from the world or retreating into religious activity — we become holy as we live out Christ’s love in meaningful, discipling relationships.

In the institutional church, holiness is often measured by attendance, programs, or appearances.

But in the biblical ekklesia, holiness is measured by transformation — by lives shaped through community, mentoring, and mutual accountability.

When Jesus made disciples, He didn’t hold classes — He shared His life.

He walked with people, talked with them, ate with them, corrected them, prayed for them.

That’s what holiness looks like in practice — a holy community that loves deeply, speaks truthfully, and grows together in grace.

Peter writes in verses 17–19:

“If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things… but with the precious blood of Christ.”

The fear of God here means reverent awe — a deep awareness that our lives are not our own.

We’ve been bought with a price.

When the Church forgets that, it drifts into complacency.

When we lose reverence, we replace holiness with routine — and the result is religion without relationship.

But when believers walk in the fear of the Lord, we honour one another, we guard our integrity, and we keep our hearts clean before God.

That kind of holy fear purifies relationships, leadership, and ministry.

It reminds us that what happens between us is sacred — because Christ’s blood was shed to make us one.

Peter roots Christian conduct in redemption: “You were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.”

That means holiness isn’t about appearance or structure — it’s about identity.

We act differently because we are different.

We are a redeemed people, set free to love and serve one another through grace.

In a non-institutional church model — one that’s relational, organic, and Spirit-led — this becomes central.

Holiness is expressed through discipleship — through older believers mentoring younger ones, through families opening their homes, through leaders walking alongside people rather than standing above them.

Our ethics flow from belonging — not from rules, but from relationship.

That’s why discipleship isn’t an optional program; it’s the way the Church stays holy, humble, and healthy.

When people are connected through honest, grace-filled relationships, sin can’t hide, and growth can’t be faked.

That’s holiness in community.

Peter wrote to believers scattered across the empire — outnumbered, misunderstood, and often mistreated.

Yet he didn’t tell them to isolate or withdraw.

He told them to shine — to live visibly holy lives that point people to Jesus.

The Church’s holiness today isn’t about building walls; it’s about building bridges.

It’s about living authentically in neighbourhoods, workplaces, and homes, so people see the difference Christ makes.

And that’s why a relational model of church — one built around discipling, mentoring, and shared life — is essential.

Programs can’t reproduce holiness. People do.

We grow holy together, through real relationships, real conversations, and real accountability.

That’s what makes the ekklesia so powerful.

It’s a community that doesn’t just talk about holiness — it lives it.

As Peter reminds us, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

That’s not an institutional rule — it’s an invitation to live as God’s people in His image.

Holiness is not about separation from the world; it’s about representation of Christ within it.

And the only way we can do that is together — walking in grace, discipling one another, and allowing the Holy Spirit to form Christ’s character in us.

In our next episode, we’ll turn to 1 Peter 2:4–10, where Peter describes us as living stones and a royal priesthood.

We’ll explore how every believer contributes to building a spiritual house that carries God’s presence and mission to the world.

Thanks for joining me today on A Biblical Foundation for the Church Today.

Until next time — keep growing in grace, keep walking in holiness, and keep building real, discipling relationships that reflect the heart of Christ.