Accountable to a Holy God

Dale Buchanan

1 Peter Devotional #8

“Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. 

And if ye call on the Father, 

Who without respect of persons 

Judgeth according to every man’s work, 

Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 

(1 Peter 1:16-17 KJV).

Our God is an awesome God! 

The dictionary defines awesome as extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear. 

It gives the illustration of "the awesome power of the atomic bomb" You will have to admit: 

That illustration does not fit well with the common and repetitive use of the word “awesome” today. 

When we talk about God, we are talking about someone who is infinitely more impressive and inspiring greater fear than the atomic bomb.

When Moses met God in Exodus 3:4-6, God told him to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. 

When Joshua met with the captain of the host of the Lord, he fell down and worshipped. 

God also told him to take off his shoes. (Joshua 5:13-15). 

When Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, he said, 

“Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.” Isaiah 6:1-5). 

When the apostle John saw Jesus in Revelation 1:13-17, 

he “fell at his feet as dead.”

Keep these illustrations in mind as you come into the presence of God in your prayer life. 

As you give account to Him, He judges our work without respect of persons. 

Our sins are under the blood, but He judges our work. 

We are bought with a price, therefore glorify Him and pass the time of your sojourning in fear (great respect and reverence) as you walk with the Lord. 

He came to give us an abundant life, but that life includes love, obedience, fear and respect toward Him.

SUMMARY: Because God is holy, we are to be holy. 

We are to live in light of the fact that we are accountable to a holy God. We are to live before him with respect, awe, and godly fear.

Keywords: holy, holiness, be holy, God is judge, respect God, fear God

BIO: Christian writer, retired pastor and accountant. Contact