The Distinctive Mark of Holiness - I Peter 1:13-16 - Part A

God has a twofold purpose for His people:  first, that they practice obedience and do His will; and second, that they become like Him, growing in holiness.  Prior to conversion a person is dominated by his own desires, but after his adoption into the family of God, he must seek to bear the family resemblance of holiness.  Our text starts out by giving us the practical consequences of regeneration and results that follow receiving the Gospel.


Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  (v. 13)


The KJV and the RSV render "prepare your minds for action" as "gird up your mind".  What is being said here is to be alert and ready in spiritual and mental attitude.  In antiquity people wore long robes, but when participating in strenuous activity the robe was tied up, or "girded up", to make sure it would not be in the way.  Peter's use of this metaphor may also have referred back to the night the Israelites were to start on their journey from Egypt to Canaan.  They were prepared to leave  even as they ate their lamb, with the loins girded, shoes on their feet, and staff in their hand.  Here, however, Peter is concerned about the mind rather than the body.  The active response of the mind is to forsake evil, not only in deed and word, but also in thought.  Our thoughts must come from the Lord and not from the media and secular publications, for those are rarely pure.


Peter goes on to exhort us to be self-controlled.  A contrast to self-control is self-indulgence.  It is obvious that self-indulgence, or a lack of discipline, leads to deterioration, but self-control leads to a calm and steady life that is well-balanced and able to make clear judgments.


Our hope stems from the grace God has given us.  We have salvation only in part in the present, but when Jesus comes back our salvation will be fully accomplished.  Therefore our hope is not in the insignificant rewards of this life, but in the rewards at the return of Christ.  We enjoy salvation and sanctification now, but when Jesus returns we will be transformed and glorified, even as He was.  This hope is the lighthouse in the darkness of the night.  When we anticipate the return of Christ, we are motivated to live holy lives and follow the example of Christ in our behavior by forsaking sin and obeying God.


to be continued