HOLINESS AND PRAYER The Biblical defmition of holiness is not the same as the popular definition The apostle Peter, who called to mind Leviticus 11 44 when he wrote “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Because it is wntten, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). A fine and beneficial definition of holiness is found m Peter’s first letter The word translated “holy” in English Bibles is one that means “set apart.” It is a word that carries the idea of being separate from the world in theaningful and substantive ways. It does not describe a specific way of dressing or physical orientation during worship. It is not an external thing at all. Holiness starts within and manifests itself in every aspect of life. Peter describes a set of characteristics that will result in the type of holiness Go4 expects in a child of His. Prayer is another important aspect of the Christian life. The child of God maintains a constant attitude of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), with the full confidence that God hears and responds to our prayers (Matthew 7:7-1 1). We note an interaction, a place of intersection of these two components of Christianity (holiness and prayer) in Peter’s first letter. In his third chapter Peter describes how husbands and wives might better manifest the holiness that God desires of us. In the midst of this we see the interaction between prayer and holiness: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered’ (1 Peter 3:7). Now, it is necessary to note that it is not only the case that prayers are hindered if a husband does not treat his wife properly. The context of this section as well as the whole letter indicates that unholiness hinders prayer. This is made clear by reading the verses that follow verse 7. In them Peter tells his readers to (1) be of the same mind (2) be compassionate (3) love as brethren (4) have pity for each other (5) be courteous (6) not be involved with rendering evil or railing, but rather blessing (7) love life (be’ positive) (8) not say evil things (9) speak no guile (10) turn away from evil (11) do good and (12) seek and work fOr peace. Then in verse 12 he wrote this: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Verses 8-11 are about how one manifests holiness (as we see Throughout Peter’s letter). These verses are “bookended” by two verses (3:7 and 3:12) ‘that warn us about hindering and even obliterating the efficacy of our prayer life. So here it is: if I organize my life so as to reflect God’s desire for me to be holy (in the Biblical sense) I can be assured that He will hear and answer my prayers. If, on the other hand, I am selfish, stubborn, and sinful, my prayers (except for that asking forgiveness) will make it to the roof and no further. There is another hindrance to prayer that is not specifiëally covered by Peter here, the popularity of which I fear. Prayer is hindered by not praying. All of Peter’s help goes for naught if we don’t pray. Prayer is an aspect of being holy. Let us pray.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 22:27:38 +0000
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