So far Peter has defined Holiness, showed us what it looks like, explained how it relates to God’s character, and commands us to make it a part of our lives. Now he tells us the purpose.

The language found at the start of chapter four is military language. At the end of chapter three we discover Christ has all authority, making him our commander (we, along with angels and the rest of creation, are in submission to him). Like a good soldier we are to “arm” ourselves with the same attitude. The Greek word used for “arm” refers to a soldier putting on armor, is used only here in all of the New Testament.

What is more, the NIV translates another Greek word as “attitude,” but there are better alternatives for this word. The word is more literally “thought,” but perhaps the best English word corresponding to the concept is “intention,” which encompasses both one’s mindset and outward expression. The literal rendering of Peter’s command is that we are to intend to suffer in the body. Why? Because Jesus did, and he is our commander is only part of the reason.

The purpose for taking on an intention to suffer in the body, is to testify that one is through with the old lifestyle and now true to Jesus Christ. As a result of this testimony, one no longer lives by human desires, but by God’s will. Hence, the purpose of holiness is to pledge allegiance to Christ alone.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the body, arm yourselves with the same intention, because he who suffers in his body demonstrates he is done with sin.

Are you done with sin? No, I didn’t think so. Why aren’t you done with sin? Because you’re not holy. A holy man or woman doesn’t day dream about the things that pleasure them, or pursue relationships that aren’t God-honoring. They don’t lie to get their way. They don’t manipulate others to make their own life easier. But I don’t need to keep giving examples of what a holy person doesn’t do, Peter does a pretty good job of that in this passage.

He lists a few things that the world practices but which all who belong to Christ shun in verse three: debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries. When believer’s live a holy life unbeliever’s become fascinated with the believer’s holy lifestyle. Are unbeliever’s fascinated with your lifestyle, or are they fascinated how it parallels their own?

In verse five Peter reminds his readers of the coming judgment against all who dissipate their time in frivolous sin. What is it you want Jesus to say when you see him for the first time face-to-face? “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Such a response requires holiness. Holiness requires intention. Intention requires preparation. Prepare yourself to live a holy life today and you will experience eternity like no other tomorrow.