The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 26

'l'ho essence of religion consists in tho imitation of him we worillhip" (Leighton). The gods of the henthen were repreoonted as actuated by human passions and stained with hntofu\ sins; their character must have reacted upon their ignorant worshippers; their worship wns degrading. Our God is the most Holy One, awful in holiness. He has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness; he has set us apart for himself, that wo should be holy to him. "Holiness unto the Lord" was inscribed upon the mitre of the high priest; it should be written in the hearts of Christians, who are a holy priest- hood, dedicated to tho service of God, Holiness lies in the imitation of Go,]. "Be ye followers [!Hera.Uy, 'imitators'] of God as dear children," says St. Paul. It is the high pattern for the Christian, very high in,leed above us, but yet set before us hy God him- self. 'We must make it our constant effort, by the promised help of his Holy Spirit, to become "partakers of his holiness;" we should follow after holiness in all thin:::s, in all the circumstances of our lives, in all manner of conversation. If we earnestly <lcsire it with a strong sustained longing, with hunger and thirst, then we know-for we have his gracious word-we shall be filled. II. To HOLY FEAR. 1. The first reason: the judgment. St. Peter, the apostle of hope, dwells much on the deep and hidden joy which is vouchsafed to the faithful Christian, St. Paul, the apostle of faith, again and again urges upon us the same duty, the same privilege, of joy in the Lord. Dut both apostles bid us fear God ; "pass the time of your sojourning here in fear;" "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." 'l'hen faith and hope and joy are not inconsistent with fear. Nay, there cnn be no true faith and hope and joy without fear; for God's grace, out or which flow faith and hope and joy, produces also holy fear; without reverence and godly fear we cannot serve him acceptably (Heb. xii. 28). True religion implies a deep sense of God's presence; and that presence, realized by faith, must inspire a solemn awe into the heart to which it is granted. He who lives very near to God, as Abraham did, must feel, a,a Abraham did, that it is a solemn thing for one who is but dust and ashes to sp2ak unto the Lord (Gen. xviii. 27). Flesh and blood, conscious of unworthiness, must have something of that awful dread which led St. Peter himself once to say, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord!" 'The first petition in the prn31er which the Lord himself bath taught us, the prayer which St. Peter apparently had in his thoughts when he wrote these verses, is, "Hallowed be thy Name." Our first approach to the throne of grace must be made with deep and solemn reverence. 'l'he very seraphim covered their faces when they chanted, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord;" and we sinful men must learn reverence from the blessed angels when we draw near to God. We call him our Father; that precious name tells us of his love, but it reminds us also of the honour due to such a Father. We are but sojourners here; this life, with all its cares and excitements, will soon be gone. Be not over-anxious; fear not earthly troubles and trials; think of the end, the judg- ment which is coming, nnd live in the holy fear of God. He "judgeth according to every man's work." Is our work so thorough that we have no need to fear? God's holiest servants feel their unworthiness the most; they are conscious, not ouly of many great sins in the past, but of much frailty and inconstancy always. There are strange inconsistencies and vacillations and falterings, even in the holiest lives. The sense of weakness keeps God's people in the holy fear of God, and that fear makes them vigilant and circumspect. They think often of the judgment; they thiuk of themselves stand- ing before the throne. 'l'hey have hope, a blessed hope through their Lord's atoning blood; but that hope must be min~led with fear even in saints. "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee," said the psnhnist., "and I am afraid of thy jndgments." 2. The second reason: the great price with which we were bought. There is another rP.ason, higher and holier, for godly fear-the ransom given for our souls. The fear of juogment may have much of selfishness in it; the thought of Christ's exceeding great love is the high Christin.n motive. If a dear friend had given his silver and gold to redeem us from shame and punishment, we Rhould regard him with reverent gratitude, and fear to displease him. But Christ gave himself; he shed his precious blood. The sacrifice was exceeding precious; the sacred Victim was without blemish and without spot, and fore- ordained before the fo_undation of the world. These thoughts ought to fill us with holy fear when we gaze upon the cross. The cross, as it reveals the blessed love of Christ., throws an awful light on the guilt of sin and on its tremeudous consequences. Then  20 rHE Fll1S1' F.PIS'l'LR GENEHAT, OF PETER [on. r. 1-25,