Gird up your loins

After a review of what God's people face in the world, the Apostle begins to instruct them in how to prepare for all that awaits them, here, and in eternity

Notice that Peter’s teaching and writing are different

Introduction: “Therefore” = a signal to review what has gone beforeNotice that Peter’s teaching and writing are different

i. Paul –line by line, precept by precept, then illustration and exhortation – builds the case.

ii. Peter – makes his general points, then circles back on specific concepts and precepts. Less systematic, a bit more emotional.

Peter is by nature a fighter.

Rallying cry to the church.

We are the church militant - the church here on Earth. Our counterpart in heaven is the church triumphant and we are going to join them one day.

For this assignment, they must be mentally prepared, and able to concentrate.

Very difficult operational environment -We will be persecuted because the world hates us. Christ told us that they would hate us because they hated Him.

He was perfectly sinless and loving and they hated Him so much that the tortured, mocked and killed Him.

We fall far short of the example He set. We come from a sinful background, we sin, we are imperfect, we make mistakes.

If they hated Him, as wonderful as He was, how can they not hate us even more, since we fall far short of the example He set. They hate us because now we represent Him, His truth and His message. There is nothing you could or should do about that. They will never like you because you expose their sin.

Don’t be a snowflake - deal with it. Don't give in. Dont cave.

Gird up your mind and mentally prepare yourself for the battle, because it will continue. You need to concentrate, stay focused, and rely completely on the grace, the favor that you have been assured of at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Interrogative: How do we prepare for the mission of glorifying God?

Imperative: We need to let the triune God, sanctify us.

Transition: God needs us to prepare for a difficult mission and we will look at this from that standpoint. What condition must we be in to participate? What must we do? What do we avoid?

First Point: What must we do? Be Holy. , : 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.”[1]

Explanation:

xplanation:

i. Holy one. Hagios. Sanctified from the unclean, sanctified, consecrated.

ii. But like the Holy one which called you: For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification .

iii. “also” - kai - What does Peter mean by that? What ways?

Speech

Conduct Walk the talk, talk the walk - Neg Example: Pharisees

iii. Requirement of ancient Israel. God calls Israel to holiness three times in Leviticus (13(leprosy), 19 (idolatry), 10 (Abihu and Nadab))

It is a great favour to be called effectually by divine grace out of a state of sin and misery into the possession of all the blessings of the new covenant; and great favours are strong obligations; they enable as well as oblige to be holy.

This is a pre-requisite for any assignment or mission or ministry the Lord assigns. We must be holy. How do we do that, given that we inherited a sin tendency and we sin multiple times a day - we still wallow in it? Why must we be holy? What happens when we become holy? This is the way we fight; we fight with our courage and our holiness.

1. This is a pre-requisite for any assignment or mission or ministry the Lord assigns. We must be holy. How do we do that, given that we inherited a sin tendency and we sin multiple times a day - we still wallow in it? Why must we be holy? What happens when we become holy? This is the way we fight; we fight with our courage and our holiness.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2424). Peabody: Hendrickson.This is a pre-requisite for any assignment or mission or ministry the Lord assigns. We must be holy. How do we do that, given that we inherited a sin tendency and we sin multiple times a day - we still wallow in it? Why must we be holy? What happens when we become holy? This is the way we fight; we fight with our courage and our holiness.

iv. NASB95 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1. because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

v. States this three times in , , and 10

Rather than conforming to evil desires, children of obedience will want to be holy. To be a child of God it is necessary to bear a family resemblance. God is by nature holy. The basic meaning of the Greek word is “different” or “separated.” God is totally separate from sin. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty,” intoned the seraphs in Isaiah’s vision (). Since God is holy, his children are to be holy in all [they] do (the word translated “conversation” in older versions means “conduct,” “behavior,” “way of life”). Sanctification is a theological term describing the ethical change that takes place in the life of the believer. It involves deliverance from the domination of evil and transformation into the likeness of God.

Mounce, R. H. (2005). A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (p. 19). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers.

Illustration:

Holiness is required because it is written in the books of Moses, Be holy, because I am holy (see , ; ; ). The fundamental basis for holy living is the same in the New Testament as it was in the Old. The conduct of believers in every age is determined by the nature of God. A holy God requires holiness in his followers

Mounce, R. H. (2005). A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (p. 19). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers.

Two fold rule of holiness:

Must be holy in all parts of our lives

Must imitate God’s holiness.

Illustration: Actors. They have to get into role and character.

Argumentation: Legalism. Conservatism. Conformism

Application: Everything we do is a reflection of our relationship to Christ.

Exhortation: Our lives, our looks, our actions should reflect that relationship. This is reflecting the light of Christ.

Two fold rule of holiness:

Second Point: What must we do? Concentrate. Do what you are told (Obedience) NASB95 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Must be holy in all parts of our lives

Must imitate God’s holiness.

“Therefore” = a signal to review what has gone before

Scattered in the Roman empire

Persecuted - distressed

Chosen by God

Gird up. 328 ἀναζώννυμι [anazonnumi /… a leather belt.

Strong’s Greek #328

Imperative. Gird up with a leather belt. Get ready to run, fight, mix it up.Be sober minded, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind… disengage from all that would hinder you.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2424). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Strong’s Greek #328

Imperative. Gird up with a leather belt. Get ready to run, fight, mix it up.Be sober minded

νήφω

νήφω nḗphō; fut. nḗpsō. To be sober–minded, watchful, circumspect (, ; ; ; ; ). The word does not mean to abstain from the use of alcohol but rather to refrain from the abuse of it which leads to intoxication.

Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

Paul’s specific instructions: NASB95

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Illustration: Zulu movie. Greatly outnumbered (150 to 4000). Preparation was the key - physical, mental. They suffered casualties, but prevailed.

Argumentation: Let go and let God. No matter what happens, God will take care of it.

Application: God will take care of it, but He does so by providing you with what you need. You will encounter formidable lost people with formidable intellects who know what they are about. If you are not armored up and fully grounded, you’ll have bad witness and become discouraged. Our faith is stronger than the gates of hell. Christians are defenseless because they don’t prepare.

Exhortation: Spend your time preparing. Do your homework. Study your Bibles. Share with other believers. Know the enemy.

xhortation:

Third Point: What must we avoid? Don’t get distracted ( NASB95

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

Explanation:

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Implication: you used to be children of disobedience.

Mounce, R. H. (2005). A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (p. 19). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers

Mounce, R. H. (2005). A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (p. 19). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ignorance: So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

18 being darkened in their understanding, bexcluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Illustration:

Mind is like a picture gallery with hallways filled with the pictures of all your sins.

Strolling down the hallways, remembering the sins

Distracts you of the task at hand:

Praying

Studying

Preaching and hearing

Ministry

Argumentation: “Come as you are to worship.” Where whatever you want. Its all about you feeling comfortable in God’s presence. No.

Application: God expects us to be holy when we come into his presence. We need to where clothes that honor our position as His chosen. We need to be clear of our sins. Exhortation:

Exhortation:

Conclusions:

Lessons for Christians

Gird up your loins, the battle is just starting. Be ready.

Use everything in your Christian arsenal to prepare: prayer, the Word, your church fellowship.

Do not fear him who can kill the body, only Him who can destroy your soul.

Gospel appeal:

Who’s side do you think you are on? If you are undecided, that is really decided.

James: Friendship with the world is enmity with God. He who is a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Reject that sinful path you are on, in all its forms. Christ, the only begotten Son of God, died for your sins. Turn to Christ and live.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

He reaffirms in in Thessalonians 3:6, but goes on to say:

The hope he talks about in is the same hope as he assured them of earlier in

Obedience: to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

You cannot dwell in your sins and do what God expects of you. Dwelling in your sin is to repeat the sin. Get it behind you. When you were an unrepentent sinner, you much of the sinning was in ignorance. Ignorance of the gravity of the sin, who it offended, the consequences and so forth. If you dwell on your sin, you are languishing in it and you will lose the fight with the enemy every time. Christ died for your sins, they are forgiven and you are justified anew.

Put those sins behind you today.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

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.”

📷

NASB95 keep sober in spirit

Sober up. Concentrate your minds. By implication get serious because this is serious business and will require your full concentration.

📷

NASB95 fix your hope

fix your hope or expect, anticipate the grace

📷

NASB95 grace to be brought to you

God's favor will be delivered to you is the sense of the Greek here. When you embrace the revelation of Jesus Christ, God's favor is delivered to you and God's favor is worth rejoicing over.

📷

NASB95 As obedient children, … in your ignorance

as obedient - be obedient, like children obeying their parents. This was in a day where children were expected to obey their parents unquestioningly. It was a day when parents were respected not only in obedience to the law, but because there was general acceptance that parents were older, wiser, more educated and more experienced than children, that children were less capable of making good decisions and taking the right, correct action.

📷

NASB95 conformed to the former lusts

an inordinate, self indulgent craving (that displaces affections for God)

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Related Media

Related Sermons