“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV). We usually say that “holy” means to be “set apart”; it also means “different”. God is different than any other being. He is in a category by Himself. For us to be “holy” means that we are to live out the nature and likeness of God as His image-bearers in the world. Jesus quoted “be holy” as “be perfect”. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The context (Matthew 5:43-48) tells us that “perfect” means that we are to love like our Father loves. Thus “being different” as God is different means indiscriminate love for all, including our enemies. That’s what “born from above” looks like.
