graphic: Martha G. Brady
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.
As obedient children,
do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
but as he who called you is holy,
you also be holy in all your conduct,
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
I Peter 1:13-16
Last week I was at a writer’s retreat near Nashville, a couple of hours away. This week, I’m home. Back to reality. Back in the everyday grind.
Slugging away writing, preparing for a series I’ll be doing for the month of October…31 days…. When I have the details figured out a little better, you’ll be the first to know!
Who better to talk about GOD’s grace than Peter?
I think many parts of what will be talked about will come from I Peter. It is especially interesting because some of the talks at our retreat had to do with fear, fear of man and the final one? Brave…from the story of Peter when he got out of the boat and walked to Jesus during that stormy night.
Can you imagine what it must have been like? The disciples were alone in the boat when the storm came up. Jesus stayed behind to pray while they rode across the lake to the next town. In the middle of the storm when they were afraid they might drown, they saw what looked like a ghost walking toward them. Talk about terror! Oh my!
In Matthew 14:22-33, the full story is told. Peter impulsively asks Jesus to tell him to come and Jesus does. Peter, the only one with enough brave to get out of the boat, goes to Jesus on the water…until he stops to think about where he is! Then he starts to sink. I suspect Jesus’ words, “O you of little faith.” weren’t only for Peter! Despite the many sermons I’ve heard to the contrary, I think Jesus appreciated His willingness to step out of the boat. Everyone else just sat there and shook!
Peter understood about the need to be prepared & to be sober-minded when facing temptation
So here Peter is, talking about preparing for action, being sober-minded. The context may be something like the soldier getting ready for war. He doesn’t know if he will be deployed or not. But he goes through basic training and learns all the skills. Sooner or later, he probably will be and those skills must be known and his body must be in shape.
...like the soldier getting ready for war, he doesn't know if he will be deployed. But he goes through basic training. Share on XWe have to learn those basic skills of
- being prepared for action
- obedience to Christ
- not conforming to the world that is all around us…and our “former ignorance.”
Why? Because the one who called us is holy and we need to be like our Father! No, we will never be fully or perfectly holy before heaven, but knowing that in Christ, we are redeemed and dressed in His righteousness, is encouraging! Knowing that He is working to bring the reality of it about in our lives? That is encouraging too!
May the grace of GOD our Father be with you all now and forever!
