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Set Apart your Hearts

now, in that, your hearts set apart Christ, Lord... (1 Peter 3:15)

Photo by Allen Taylor
The word 'set apart ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) means to consecrate, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray he starts with this word, "our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." (Matthew 6:9). God is holy, his name is to be revered but perhaps the purpose of starting our prayers with such recognition is to set apart our hearts to him? Certainly, Peter explains to us what it looks like to set apart our hearts, it is not the outward beauty that pleases God, "rather the inward person of the heart, the incorruptibility of a meek and tranquil spirit, which in the sight of God is precious" (1 Peter 3:4).

therefore put aside all uncleanness and abundant depravity, receiving in meekness the implanted word of God, that is powerfully able to save your souls. (James 1:21) 

Peter writes the goal of faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). This really puts emphasis on the importance of adoption, in which the Holy Spirit is one of adoption testifying we are children of God (Romans 8:15-16; Ephesians 1:4-5). There are three that testify, spirit, blood, and water and they are one (1 John 5:7-8). Our adoption is not full as we await the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). In between being a spiritual man, and in an unredeemed body in which sin dwells and evil is near, there lies the soul of man. And that which is powerfully able to save our souls, the implanted word of God, we receive in meekness. There is the testimony of water, which I believe is the purification of the body of sin, not like the washing of dirt from the body, but of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). 

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (1 Peter 4:1, ESV) 

What is a good conscience toward God? It is a place where one can say it is well with the soul. It is walking in the Light and not darkness. It is the setting apart of the body, to the Lord. It is consecrating the heart to the Lord. It is not being in a wretched state as Paul writes, delighting inwardly in the laws of God but doing the things he hates. Peter writes we are to put aside the body and its fleshly desires that war against our soul. This is baptism, we have died with Christ, crucified with him, united in his death, conformed to his death, so to be raised, to walk in newness of life.

because existing three that testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood also the three exist to the extent one. (1 John 5:7-8)

The testimony of water is one or agrees with the testimony of Spirit and blood. In other words, the true children of God will grow up to bear fruit of such a testimony, of the purification of the body of sin.
John writes those born of God will overcome, they will not continue in sin (1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:13). What good is it to cleanse the outside and not the inside? This is hypocrisy; to cleanse the outside while the inside is unclean (Matthew 23:25). Putting on my nice Sunday clothes and going to church dirty inside. Having communion with Christ without judging sin done in the body. Are we called to heaven, to see God and be before him? then "just as the one calling you is holy also come into existence holy in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1:15). The inward new birth of the Spirit and the implanted word of God will bring about the outward fruit of purity. This purification of the body of sin, this giving life to the mortal body, regeneration, transformation, is through consecrating, setting apart. How does one get there?

receiving in meekness the implanted word of God, that powerfully able to save your souls (James 1:21). 

The word of God is incorruptible, to receive it with meekness as the implanted word changes people, saves the soul. This is needed as in the body sin dwells, and we are to consider it dead in Christ. This will happen when we receive in meekness the implanted word of God, consecrating our hearts to him. Consecrated in truth, even Jesus as the Son of Man consecrated himself in truth (John 17:17-19). "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). How can I have an inheritance and see God? be meek and have a pure heart. How can I have a pure heart? Receive in meekness the implanted word of God. Meekness and purity go together. Receive in meekness the implanted word of God and consecrate your hearts Christ Lord, they are the same. "Do not let your beauty be external... rather, of the inward person of the heart, of unfading beauty, of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great value in God’s sight" (1 Peter 3:3-4). There is a reasonable service and sacrifice acceptable to God of presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness (Romans 12:1). 

in that, your hearts set apart Christ, Lord... (1 Peter 3:15)

This is what God desires. "For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in offerings. The sacrifices of God; a broken spirit (soul, life, inward man). A broken contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17, ESV). God esteems highly, not an outward only display of beauty, piety, and good works, but that which comes from the inner person of the heart, the unfading beauty of a meek and tranquil spirit. It is the heart set apart, consecrated, receiving in meekness the implanted word of God that will bring about this most precious thing in the eyes of God. 
 

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