As
recipients of the living hope, the Apostle Peter wanted his readers to know
that they had obligations to live in the light of that living hope. He implored
them to conduct their lives in a way that would reflect their status as the
people of God. From verses 13-25, he began by detailing the need for holiness,
before dealing with reverence and rounding up with the need for love
The word “therefore" in verse 13 helps to
connect what Peter would soon be dealing with and the things he had discussed with
them earlier. He was, in effect, saying, “Now that you have this living hope in
Christ, you need to be decisive, and adopt a mindset that would enable you to
act rightly.”
In calling on them to have a sober spirit, Peter
was asking them to take control of their minds and thus their lives. Our
actions are often the result of what our minds dwell upon. Hence being sober
minded is critical to change. He then asked them not to be governed by their
flesh. Instead, they should confidently expect to receive the grace: i.e. the
inheritance and salvation when the Lord Jesus Christ appears. Peter wanted them
to have the attitude of looking at the outcome when Christ returns. And when
they had that mindset, the trials would be endurable. They would then have the
assurance that staying faithful to the cause of Christ in trials would be worth
the sacrifice.
In verses 14-16, he then invoked them to
demonstrate their new nature as children of God and display the spirit of
obedience. And when that happened, they would be demonstrating their
characteristics as God’s children. They should say no to the fleshly lust that
was a trademark of their former life, when they were ignorant of God. But now,
they should positively take the example of the Holy God, and demonstrate a life
of holiness, both in thoughts and in deeds.
We are to be holy because God is holy.
What does all these mean for us? Simply this. God our Father makes a
holy living a possibility. Why? Living a life with holiness is the result of
being God’s child. In our old nature and fallen DNA, we simply do not have the power
to do so by our own strength. Understanding
and knowing God as our Father is pivotal. He will give us the strength and enable
us to live a holy life that will reflect Him.
Being in Christ, we have become sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father.
Unlike earthly fathers who would sometimes be unreasonable, our Heavenly Father
is not. He gives and gives, over and
over again. Hear the chorus of a song in
your soul today. It says:
His grace has no limit,
His grace has no limit,
His love has no measure,
His boundary has no measure
Known unto man.
Out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He gives and gives again.
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