July 26, 2021
Scripture: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 ESV
Observation: Peter wrote this letter to the churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in the early 60’s AD to encourage them to persevere imminent suffering (which he anticipated with increased hostility toward Jews and Christians). In this verse, Peter lays the foundation for our call to be holy in all our conduct as our God is holy (verse 14). How? By preparing our minds for action. “Preparing,” as translated above, is the Greek word “gird,” which adds another element of “guarding” our minds against naive and frivolous manners of thought. Instead, we are to be sober-minded (fully aware) of the signs of the times and of how God is accomplishing his purposes. In the second half of the verse, Peter lays out a game plan: rely on the grace of Christ. By its nature, grace is freely given (not earned), and it is both future and present-oriented. Peter uses the future tense to point us to the unveiling of grace when Christ returns with the understanding that it has been at work in us all along, transforming us into the “holy” likeness of the Father and Son as their heirs.
Takeaway: Be students of Scripture. When we read, reflect, and act on God’s Word, it will mature our faith (our understanding of Christ’s grace at work in us) and strengthen our hope in God so that we will not only be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead but press through them in a manner that fulfills our calling to be holy as our God is holy.
Prayer: Father God, please motivate us to read, mark, and digest your Word, that it might inform every aspect of our lives and fulfill our calling to reflect your image of holiness. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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