Because HE Said So!

By:Aleah Winburn

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:15–16

I do not know how many times I heard the phrase “Because I said so!” growing up. In my younger, more rebellious, pre-salvation years, my favorite response to my parents’ commands was, “Why?” Although not always, most of the time I had good intentions in asking. I simply wanted to understand the reason behind the task at hand and why I was instructed to do it a certain way.

Looking back now, I can clearly see that the response, “Because I said so,” was not always my parents or other authorities avoiding explanation or discussion. They simply wanted me to trust them and obey! Yes, this phrase can imply, “Do it because I am in charge, and my authority is reason enough,” but it can also imply urgency in a matter that may be too complex for us to understand at the moment. Sometimes we simply need to obey for our own safety.

1 Peter 1:15 tells us that because God, who hath called us, is holy, we should be holy. Holy in all manner of conversation. In this verse, conversation does not simply mean our speech or communication. It refers to our entire manner of life—our behavior and conduct. This includes everything from what we think, what we watch, what we listen to, where we go, how we speak, and even how we dress.

God desires holiness in every area of our lives—“in all manner of conversation.” Why, you might ask? Verse 16 answers simply: “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” In other words, because God said so!

God is holy, and that is what He desires His people to be. To be holy means to be pure, blameless, and consecrated—separated unto a sacred purpose and devoted to the service and worship of God. God is not defined by holiness; God defines holiness.

Peter certainly gets straight to the point by saying we should be holy because God is holy and because God’s Word commands it. However, throughout Scripture, God lovingly explains both how and why we should live holy lives. He tells us how to act (Colossians 3:12–14), how to pray (1 Timothy 2:8), what to listen to and sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and even how women should dress and conduct themselves (1 Timothy 2:9–10).

God’s Word covers every aspect of our lives and teaches us how to live a holy, consecrated life. I encourage you to search the Scriptures and determine to live a holy life as God commands us to. Keep in mind that holiness is not merely a suggestion—it is a commandment.

We may not always understand why God asks us to do certain things or why He instructs us in specific ways, but that does not make obedience any less important. Until He shows you the reason, obey anyway because you trust Him and because that is what He said to do. You will never go wrong doing that.

God saved us so He could fellowship with us and use us for His honor and glory. While we will never be holy in the exact way God is holy—that is impossible for sinful man—we are privileged to partake of His holiness through Christ and strive to live holy lives because God has called us to do so (2 Timothy 1:9). He enables us and equips us.

Looking back, I realize my parents never asked me to do something they did not believe I was capable of doing or figuring out. I simply had to submit, obey, and trust them as my authority. I had to trust that they truly had my best interests at heart. Oh, how much more can we trust our Heavenly Father!

In a world where people cling so tightly to individuality, we constantly hear phrases like, “That’s just me,” “That’s who I am,” or “Let me be me.” I am reminded of something my former youth pastor, Bro. Michael Lindsay, often said: “God didn’t call you to be YOU; He called you to be HOLY!”

Amen!

The farther I go in my Christian walk, the less I want any part of “me” left. I want my life to bring the Lord honor and glory and to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. We accomplish this by obeying the Lord and His Word.

Trust Him, and obey happily—because He said so!