By Frank Alioto
When my son was a toddler he would run around the house in his Superman pajamas showing off his quick running and jumping skills. One afternoon there was silence in his room — which was cause for investigation. I walked by his room and noticed he was standing on top of a 4-foot sports organizer.
I asked him what he was doing and he declared, “I am Super Z and I can fly!” I informed him: “You are our Super Z, but if you try to fly, you are going to really get hurt.”
We debated for a while and eventually he relented into my arms and I landed him safely on the carpeted floor. My son might have thought he could fly, but the truth is humans are not physically designed to fly. God created humans to live into the trait of “holiness,” which seems almost impossible as flying.
In the Bible, a disciple of Jesus named Peter had quite the life change when he chose to follow Jesus. At different times in Peter’s life he would appear to be following Jesus and then he would do things contrary to God’s best for him. Peter’s dedication to Jesus was solidified when he saw Jesus rise from the dead and when Jesus forgave him for deserting him.
Peter then lived into his name to be “the rock” of the early church and wrote an encouraging letter to followers of Jesus who were spread all over Asia Minor.
These scattered followers were reminded about the gift of salvation as they faced persecution and assimilating into a new culture.
Peter encouraged them to have alert minds and set their hope on the grace and promises of Jesus. He further steered them to “not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14b-16).
To be holy does not mean that you are perfect, but it means you believe in and trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. His forgiveness of your past, present and future allows you the opportunity to embrace the very character of God — holiness and to be found “perfect” in his sight. This holiness means to be “set apart” and “reserved to give glory to God.”
A follower of Jesus can embrace this reality as they put off corrupt behavior and lean into God’s best for their life.
It is a life of discipline, focus and devotion to the things that matter to God. Humans can be holy as they commit to Jesus and a life of letting God’s Spirit direct their conduct.
We may not be designed to physically fly, but God designed us to know him and be holy for his glory.
How can you embrace his holiness today?
Frank Alioto pastors at Roots Family Church in Soldotna (907-252-0036) and serves as a chaplain in our community.
