September 3, 2024 GIRD YOUR MIND
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in your spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lust which were yours in your former ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
We have been through some tough times personally, and we know of a lot of others who are experiencing difficulties. I think there is an important lesson for us in this passage. In the day in which we live, the focus is mostly on the present. We wonder why God allows sufferings and trials and wonder why He does not take the difficulties away-now, today. We tend to think that because we are believers, and because we say that God is good, we should not have to endure trials and difficulties. However, that view point is not biblical. In the days of the early church, believers suffered great trials and persecutions-just check out the history of life during the early church period; trials were just a part of life. Throughout the New Testament scriptures, you find instructions and admonitions for believers to set their hope completely on the day of the Lord-His appearing-and the revelation of Jesus. We look at the right now! We want deliverance now. Today, we hear few sermons and messages on what it will be like when Jesus returns and when we are joined with Him in heaven. We must not put our trust in being delivered from our trials today. God’s word says a lot about an inheritance reserved for us-a day when our salvation will be complete. Today is about enduring while trusting Jesus as our Helper and Comforter. Do not misunderstand; we are not doomed to live a miserable, difficult life; God does deliver us from a lot of trials today and He is a God who heals and restores. Yet, He does not always deliver us as we want Him to and sometimes He allows the trials to linger. But the good news is that He is at work even during the most difficult times we face, and He strengthens us and comforts us during the trials; He never forsakes us. We are called to ‘gird our minds for action, to be sober in spirit, and to set our hope completely on the grace we will receive’ when Jesus is revealed. We are not to be inactive in living out the words of God; life is big and life is important-no room for the mundane. And, it is clear from this verse that we have been made new-we must not be conformed back to who we were. Also, it is a command of God for us to be holy in all our behavior-all because He is holy and we are in Him. Contrary to popular belief, we can live holy lives. That does not mean we are sinless; if and when we sin, we confess it and continue to walk in the ways of God. So, let us be diligent to walk according to the ways of the Lord and not according to our own ways or the was of the world. A lot is at stake.
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Blessings,
Buddy
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in your spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lust which were yours in your former ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
We have been through some tough times personally, and we know of a lot of others who are experiencing difficulties. I think there is an important lesson for us in this passage. In the day in which we live, the focus is mostly on the present. We wonder why God allows sufferings and trials and wonder why He does not take the difficulties away-now, today. We tend to think that because we are believers, and because we say that God is good, we should not have to endure trials and difficulties. However, that view point is not biblical. In the days of the early church, believers suffered great trials and persecutions-just check out the history of life during the early church period; trials were just a part of life. Throughout the New Testament scriptures, you find instructions and admonitions for believers to set their hope completely on the day of the Lord-His appearing-and the revelation of Jesus. We look at the right now! We want deliverance now. Today, we hear few sermons and messages on what it will be like when Jesus returns and when we are joined with Him in heaven. We must not put our trust in being delivered from our trials today. God’s word says a lot about an inheritance reserved for us-a day when our salvation will be complete. Today is about enduring while trusting Jesus as our Helper and Comforter. Do not misunderstand; we are not doomed to live a miserable, difficult life; God does deliver us from a lot of trials today and He is a God who heals and restores. Yet, He does not always deliver us as we want Him to and sometimes He allows the trials to linger. But the good news is that He is at work even during the most difficult times we face, and He strengthens us and comforts us during the trials; He never forsakes us. We are called to ‘gird our minds for action, to be sober in spirit, and to set our hope completely on the grace we will receive’ when Jesus is revealed. We are not to be inactive in living out the words of God; life is big and life is important-no room for the mundane. And, it is clear from this verse that we have been made new-we must not be conformed back to who we were. Also, it is a command of God for us to be holy in all our behavior-all because He is holy and we are in Him. Contrary to popular belief, we can live holy lives. That does not mean we are sinless; if and when we sin, we confess it and continue to walk in the ways of God. So, let us be diligent to walk according to the ways of the Lord and not according to our own ways or the was of the world. A lot is at stake.
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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