Be holy as i am holy in new testament

The concept of being "holy as I am holy" is rooted in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Here's a breakdown:

Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7-8

In Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to be holy, just as He is holy. This is a central theme in the book, emphasizing the importance of separation from sin and the world. God is holy, and He demands that His people reflect His holiness. This is not just a moral imperative but a call to a deeper level of spiritual intimacy with God.

1 Peter 1:15-16

In the New Testament, Peter writes, "But as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (NIV) Here, Peter is echoing the Levitical call to holiness, emphasizing that as believers, we are called to reflect God's character. We are to be holy, just as God is holy.

Matthew 5:48

Jesus teaches, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (NIV) While the word "perfect" can be misleading, Jesus is not advocating for human perfection but rather emphasizing the importance of striving for moral and spiritual excellence. As believers, we are to aim to be like God, who is perfect in every way.

1 John 3:1-3

John writes, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (NIV) Here, John is emphasizing the transformative power of God's love, which enables us to become like Christ, who is holy.

Conclusion

The call to be "holy as I am holy" is a call to spiritual transformation, to reflect God's character and nature. It's not about achieving moral perfection but about striving to be like Christ, who is holy. As believers, we are called to be set apart for God, to reflect His love, and to live in obedience to His will.