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1 Peter 1:13-21
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. In the last section Peter told us how to live in hope. Now he is going to tell us how to live in holiness. The short answer is because of what God has already done for us just in saving us. Peter expresses many reasons we as Christians will find it both delightful, but difficult to live in hope.
- SET YOUR HOPE ON GRACE! V. 13. In this verse Peter is telling us that if we are the recipients of God’s grace as he has explained it in verses 1-12, then we are now obligated to live lives that are holy. We do so by setting our hope, or focus, on God’s grace that has not yet been revealed. It’s that part of His amazing grace He is saving for us until we get to heaven. We set our focus on God’s future grace by preparing our minds. Peter actually wrote “ready your mind.” It is a process, not an event. Preparation is hard work, and isn’t accomplished in just one half-hearted effort toward holiness. It requires constant and consistent diligence in the Word and prayer. Peter also tells us we are to “be sober.” Sober meant to Peter just what it means to us today. In the context it means not to be drunk on the attractions and allurements of the world. We often become drugged by Satan’s wine from forbidden fruit. Peter tells us the hard, continuous work of readying our mind with the holiness of God is the only cure. Christians are also to
- SET OUR HOPE ON CONFORMING! See verses 15, 16. Here is a truth to remember: Scripture always expects a person who is redeemed by God’s grace will obey the God Who redeemed them. Notice how Peter says in verse 14 that we are not to continue to “imbibe” in the things we did before we were saved. We are to stop those things. He immediately tells us what we are to start in their place in verse 15. The positive side of conforming is to focus on God’s holiness. Peter also explains to us why focus on God’s holiness is so vital. God has already predetermined that anyone who becomes saved will also become holy! It is this truth that reveals to us why a person who claims to be a Christian, but at the same time lives an ungodly life, no matter how secret, cannot enjoy the true inner peace, joy, comfort, and blessing God wants to share with us. God cannot and will not share His blessings with those who drag His holiness through the filth of the world. If the focus of your mind and heart is on conforming to the holiness of God; if you are soberly, keenly aware of forsaking those former evil desires and your life is now focused on holy living because of your living hope in Christ, keep it up! You are doing what a true Christian is to be doing. Don’t be distracted, for great is your reward when Christ comes! On the other hand if you are not walking with the Lord, you have time to change if you do it now!!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
