16. for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 17. Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
Just like holiness is living for God’s glory, to be set apart for Him and not our own selfish wants and desires, so is our work and life to be for the goal of pleasing our Heavenly Father. Peter reminds his readers that their works will be judged fairly.
Even in our work and responsibilities we need an attitude of awe and respect toward God. This comes from a sense of knowing who we are and who God is. I do get bothered when people treat the Lord as a chummy buddy. Nor is God aloof and unattached. Peter recognized that fear and reverence needed to have a proper relationship with the God of glory and the God of holiness.
To be holy with our work is more than how we act on just our job, but in all our responsibilities. When I think of my role as a father and my position as a son to my parents there was love, but respect was important. We were not equals. Many times, my children obey, not because they want to, but because of the consequence that is to fall upon them. Being a father means seeking to be a loving disciplinarian. As a father I didn’t always do it right.
I was more surprised by how some of my friends spoke to their parents. Rudeness, disrespect, lack of honor was displayed around me. You see it in school, on buses, in the playgrounds, with teachers. People who do not learn to respect authority always have problems. They have problems in the marriage not respecting their spouse. They have problems at work not respecting their employer or fellow employees. They have problems in the world not respecting law officers or judges and the consequences are many.
It is even more so with my heavenly Father. He will not compromise with sin. He is merciful and forgiving, but He is also the loving disciplinarian who cannot permit His children to enjoy sin. It was our sin that sent His Son to the cross. If we call God our Father, then we should reflect His nature and give respect.
When we are saved the Lord gives you and me gifts to be used for Him in holiness and love. God rewards and deems important are the works that reflect His glory now and achieve for us a blessing when our tasks are viewed with the eyes of eternity. Being prepared is to live in the power, love, and obedience of God in the things we say and do.
Peter’s work changed when he saw who Jesus was. He even looked at fishing differently, but had a new calling to be a fisher of men. If at the end of his life all he had to show the Lord was a pile of fish, he missed out on so much more. He was given a far greater task, to point people to the living God.
Prayer: Father help me to point people to You. Help me to be holy even as You are holy.
