Holiness is to Set Apart the Christian to Purity Through Obedience to the Law of God

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people set at liberty, that ye should show forth the virtues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). This one passage summarizes some highly important aspects of the concept of holiness.

Who is Peter addressing in this passage? In verses one and two Peter addresses his letter to “strangers...Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the father unto sanctification...” Peter is referring to gentiles, who are the elect (“strangers” or as verse 10 describes them “...were not a people, yet are now the people of God...”).

And what does Peter mean to say to these, who are the elect of God? Among other things; this passage is rich with admonition to the believer, Peter says that they are a “holy nation”. Holy is a theological term meaning to be set apart. When you set something apart you are generally making a distinction of significance upon the object that has been set apart. It is encouraging to note that God has set his people apart as a special people unto himself, but there is so much more to holiness, and it is summarized in this verse and expanded upon throughout I Peter marvelously.

Look back at chapter one verse two. It says that one is elect “unto sanctification...through obedience...”, and verse 9 states that “an holy nation” is “a people set at liberty, “that ye should show forth the virtues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. When defining holiness as being set apart do Christians often miss the purity aspect of this term? Peter emphasizes this characteristic of holiness in this epistle.

From the opening of the letter Peter addresses the elect as sanctified through obedience, then in verse 9 after describing to whom he is speaking as “chosen”, “royal priesthood”, “holy nation”, “set at liberty”, he explains the purpose of this setting apart as manifesting the virtues of God. Through the end of chapter three Peter tells these people to submit to God ordained authority, which are the virtues that the “holy nation” is supposed to manifest. Of course each man who is given authority is given that authority from God and to the glory of God. Therefore, ultimately submission to human authorities is submission to the law of God.

Finally, verse 12 proclaims the purpose and result of a holy people's showing forth the virtues of God. That is that “by your good works which they shall see, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The note of the reformers in the 1599 Geneva Bible explains that the day of visitation is the day that God will have mercy on them. So, as the believer lives a holy life unbelievers will be changed, thereby reforming culture for the glory of God.

Holiness is not merely being set apart as special objects of God's love, it is being set apart to live pure, and obedient lives that men and cultures will be transformed by the grace of God. Believer do not miss out on the importance of the purity aspect of the holy life.