Set Apart your Hearts

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

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.

Popular (last 30 days)

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . * Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." * The word for lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is logizomai.[ 2] ...

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life The New Testament consistently links doctrine with the condition of the mind . Doctrine is never treated as a mere collection of correct statements to be affirmed, but as something formative—shaping how believers reason, how faith matures, and whether communities are built up or quietly destabilized. When doctrine is unsound—loosely grounded, selectively quoted, or driven by human agendas—it does not simply introduce error. It produces instability. Scripture describes this instability not as ignorance, but as a condition of being divided , tossed , and unsettled . The danger is not thinking too much, but thinking without a stable center . Murmuring, Confused Reasoning, and the Loss of Orientation Paul names this danger directly in Philippians: “Do all things without murmuring (γογγυσμός) and confused reasoning (διαλογισμός)… holding fast to the word of life.” — Philippians 2:14–16 The terms Paul uses are precise. The word mur...

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...

The Promises of God — The Gospel Without Monetary Cost

Conversion, Gift, Priesthood, and the Stumbling Block of Money I. The Gospel Announced as Without Cost in Scripture The gospel is revealed in Scripture as without cost , without price , and without exchange . This is not rhetorical flourish, nor merely ethical exhortation, but a declaration about the nature of divine life and the way it is received. Isaiah proclaims to covenant-breaking Israel: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1 The command to “buy” while explicitly possessing “no money” abolishes transactional logic. What is offered is life from God, not a commodity. The absence of price is essential to the nature of what is given. If payment were possible, the gift would cease to be what it is. This prophetic declaration stands prior to any later ecclesial practice. It defines the category of the gospel before questions of ministry, support, or organization a...

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...

The Promises of God — The Promise of Eternal Life

There is such a great promise of eternal life to the elect, through faith and knowledge of truth, "to the extent of the hope of eternal life, which God can not lie, promised before times eternal. Now, brought to light in his word at his own timing..." (Titus 1:2) Before time began God made a promise, established it on his oath, there being nothing greater to establish it on, but accordingly to his purpose by which he can not lie. "just as he chose us in him before creation of the world to exist holy and blameless in his presence in love predestining us for adoption as his own through Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 1:4-5). For those chosen this promise is very precious and honorable and effective. It is a promise that God will always be with us even to the end of the age. It is a promise he is working out all for good to those called according to His purpose. The promise is fulfilled through "predestinating us for adoption" and adoption is of the S...

Love Fulfilled Ministry

Search This Blog