"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” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
Today we turn our attention from the unity of the church to the holiness of the church. When Paul wrote to the early churches, he used a Greek word translated “saints,” which could also be translated “holy ones.” This designation can be somewhat confusing, so we must consider it in the context of the church’s calling. The church has a vocation from God. The very word ecclesiastical has the idea of vocation within it, and it literally means to be called out of something. The church is a group of people called out of the world by God. They have been set apart by God’s sovereign decree to serve and worship Him.
We have seen this calling in our study of Exodus with God’s calling of Israel out of bondage and adopting them as His sons. But there was more to this calling than bringing them out of Egypt. God called them to be holy, to be like Him. The same is true for the New Testament church. God calls people out of the world to be holy, to be different from unbelievers, and to live according to godliness. God calls His people to a different way of living. This involves going against the common wisdom of the world and living by faith and by His Word.
The church has been set apart from the world for a specific mission, and that is to mirror and reflect the character of God. If we are part of the invisible church, we are called to be a pilgrim people, sojourners in this world. When the church is called holy, it does not mean that every person is the church is pure, but that each of us has the sacred task of striving to be pure. This is a long and difficult journey that will not be finished until God completes it for us on the last day.
The church is also called holy because the Holy Spirit lives within every believer. Because of this, we are consecrated unto God. This is why Paul could call sinners holy. We have not been perfected, but we are being sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ is shaping His people unto holiness. And just as individuals are not perfectly sanctified until they are glorified, the same is true of the church. For now, the bride of Christ has wrinkles, spots, and flaws, but the promise is that in the last day the church will be presented to the Father in perfect holiness. Until that day, we strive to put off sin and to put on Christ, to answer the call of God to be holy even as He is holy, and to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Think about your particular church and ask yourself, “Is my church a holy place?” You will probably be able to point out the sins of others, but what about your attitude and behavior in the church? Are you controlling, or lazy, or highly critical of your leadership? How can your repentance make the church stronger and more holy?