Christianity in an UnChristian World: Holiness
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Who
are you? Some people answer that question with their name. For
example, I’m Alan Kornacki, Jr. That tells you I’m named after my father. It
tells you that I’m of Polish or Slavic descent. Other people will answer with
their occupation or their educational status. Again using myself as an example,
I’m a pastor. I have a Master’s Degree, which I earned from Concordia Lutheran
Theological Seminary in St. Catharines,
Ontario. That tells some people a
great deal about me, and they can guess other things. Still others might answer
that they’re a work in progress; they don’t really know who they are. And for
some, the answer changes. One such example lately is the trend of claiming a
gender other than the one your DNA determines, and even having surgery in an
attempt to change that reality.
In
his first letter, St. Peter starts out by giving quite a different answer. He
starts out by saying that your identity is of one who is born again, “begotten
again to a living hope.” That identity is above all others: you are a
baptized child of God. We hold Baptism in high regard, so Peter’s words may not
sound surprising. But to those Peter was writing to—first century Christians
under persecution, scattered throughout the known world, with an uncertain
future—this was critical. A Christian does not define himself, and the world
does not define what it means to be a Christian. This is our Lord’s job. And
His definition and identity is a reality far greater than your name, your
nationality, your work, or any other way you think of yourself. Who are you?
You are baptized. You are a child of your Father who art in heaven.
And
that means a number of things. First, Peter says, it means that, even if you
are homeless here on earth, you have a home: “an inheritance incorruptible
and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
Jesus told His disciples just before His crucifixion, “I will not leave you
orphans.” Those who are born again as children of God are cared for by
their Father, through Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. You
are not on your own. God does not leave nor forsake His children.
Part
of that care, however, is trial or testing. Precious metals are put into the
fire to burn off their impurities, to make them even more pure and valuable.
You are more precious than anything in this world, the crown of God’s creation.
You will be proved in the same way—not as punishment, but in love, to loose
your hold on the things of this world, that you would cling to God alone. He
does this so that, when He comes again, you will not be holding on to your
false gods and idols. Instead you will rejoice in Him and, as Peter says,
receive “the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
This is why God gives you this identity: so that you will not be defined as the
world identifies you, nor will you be defined by the Old Adam that still clings
to you. Instead, you will live a life of holiness.
When
we think of holiness, we usually think of a sinless life or perfection.
And certainly we should be like that. But
as you know, you cannot—not on your own, at least. Peter knew that well. It was
Peter who told Jesus not to go to the cross. It was Peter who denied his Lord
after he claimed he would be the faithful disciple. Peter knew that, if you are
sinless, it is only because your sins have been washed away in the flood of
Christ’s blood and forgiveness. If you are perfect, it is only because His
perfection has been given to you. To be holy means to be set apart. In
Baptism you have been united to Him in His death and resurrection. You have
been set apart from sin and death. You have been set apart from the world by
being called into the church. You have been set apart from your former
ignorance by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit.
Even
in times of persecution or trouble, this reality does not change. This is the
reality that will carry you through all trials and temptations—even through
death itself—to life forever with God. The things of this world are passing
away. “All flesh is as grass,” Peter says, “but the word of the Lord
endures forever.” His Word of grace, His Word of forgiveness, His Word
which is living and working in you—this Word will never fail. If you know who
you are in Christ, then nothing the world claims about you matters; nothing the
world does to you matters. You, your
future, and your eternal home are safe in Christ. As Luther writes, “And
take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though these all be gone, our
victory has been won; the kingdom our remaineth.”
That doesn’t make it
easy. Satan is going to hound you every step of the way. That’s why Peter is
writing to his dear Christian flock that has been driven out and scattered. He
wants them to know that there is a greater reality than what is seen and felt.
Yes, you are Christians living in an unchristian world, but you live in Christ
through Baptism, and Christ lives in you. No matter what this world brings upon
you, you have confidence and hope. You are children of God, holy and precious
to Him. Do not be afraid to live in that truth, that reality. “Be holy,”
just as Christ is holy for you. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+)
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.
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