What Should We Do?

So far, we’ve seen that Peter has been quite intentional in encouraging his readers in the midst of sufferings and trials because of their special relationship to God. They have been chosen for an eternal inheritance with salvation through Jesus Christ. So far, everything in the first twelve verses has been an explanation of this.

At this point in Peter’s writing, even in the use of his language, he is moving to the responsibilities that the believer, the follower of Jesus Christ has, as a result of being born again. In essence, as we look at this background that has been shared for our benefit and encouragement, we come face to face with what we ought to do about it.

Let’s take some time to look at what we ought to be practicing. Remember that none of these areas we’ll be discussing can save a person. However, a saved person ought to be practicing these things.

1 Peter 1:13–17 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. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 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.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

All of what Peter is going to be telling us to do is based upon the fact that we have been chosen and saved by God.

What we do ought to match who we are in Christ.

We Must Be Prepared Mentally. - 1:13

We want to start off with our minds. If we don’t truly know or understand something, it is often difficult to feel like being obedient, much less live in obedience.

1 Peter 1:13 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.

In reading and studying the Bible, it is imperative that we make sure the proverbial horse is pulling the cart. Too often, we rush into application without fully understanding the facts. Peter has been giving us the facts thus far, and begins this sentence with therefore to help us make that transition. The focus seems to be fix your hope. In order to do that, we need to know how to fix our hope. In fact, to translate this in a way which we might better understand the intent as seen by the wording in the Greek language, it could read:

“Set your hope fully on the grace … by preparing your minds for action and by being sober.”

Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 78.

There are two phrases which explain how we are to fix our hope. First, we prepare our minds for action. Secondly, we are to keep sober in spirit or as the NIV words it, exercise self-control.

The word for prepare literally means to gird up. If I am preparing to go out, I make sure my belt is on and tightened up so that my pants don’t fall off. If I’m going to haul a large load on a flatbed trailed, I’m going to make sure I tie it down with plenty of strong ropes or straps so that nothing falls off the load. This is the picture which is used and was readily understood by Peter’s readers as they were thinking about its use when speaking of someone preparing themselves to not get tangled up in loose clothing. This same word is used when Paul speaks of putting on the full armor of God. Other passages use this word when discussing not being tripped up by the things of this world. In order to fix your hope there could be no distraction which would trip a person up mentally.

Keep sober in spirit actually refers to not getting drunk or intoxicated. Drunkenness is merely when a person is out of control mentally or physically because a substance of some sort has taken over. How can this be used in relation to the spirit? Quite simply, I believe we all understand how this world can certainly be quite intoxicating and has an unusual ability to drag us away from what we know we should be doing. My friends, we can lose spiritual control if we choose to drink in of what the world offers us. Thus, there is a need for soberness or self-control. Peter is reminding everyone reading this letter to not be sucked in to the things which appeal to our fleshly nature. We dare not get carried away by even that which may seem acceptable. This can happen among Christians who focus on one area of the Bible to the ignoring of the rest of the Bible; such as an obsession with prophecy or the Law or angels, etc. We must also be careful that we not be lulled into drowsiness as to the fact that Christ is coming again.

Only by having clear minds and clear spirits can we fix our hope. What exactly is this hope? Hope is a faith in our future in Christ. One author stated that hope is future faith, trusting God for what is to come. Warren Wiersbe comments that : Christians live in the future tense; their present actions and decisions are governed by this future hope. Peter also adds the word completely, showing that there can be no reservations or half-hearted hopes. How can anyone fix their hope completely? Because it is based upon the Word of God and His completely reliable and true promises.

It is also based on God’s grace. It is that grace that provided salvation through Jesus Christ, providing us with forgiveness of all of our sins, and causing us to be part of God’s Kingdom. And as we saw last time, this should cause us to rejoice greatly. That brings glory to God and without our even realizing it, we will find ourselves worshipping Him with gratitude and joy.

Peter says that this will all be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. In the Greek language, Peter uses language about a future occurrence as if it were already taking place. That is how certain this is. In light of all Peter has been sharing, we must be prepared mentally in knowing that the grace which God poured out on us for our salvation, will also bring us face to face with Jesus for eternity. In light of all that might be discouraging and negative in this temporary moment, a greater hope is ours now and for eternity.

We Must Be Obedient Spiritually. - 1:14-16

Now that we understand a bit better about the need to be prepared mentally, we need to move on to where many fail because they simply don’t feel like being obedient. However, since we have the background information and the understanding, it’s important to make that transition from our brain to our heart.

1 Peter 1:14–16 NASB95

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 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 Peter 1:14-17

When considering what I used to be and could still be were it not for Jesus, I have a desire to live my life for Jesus in holiness. I want to have a pure life and mourn when it is less than that. This lifestyle is not for the future when there is no presence of sin in glory; it is to be happening right now.

As Peter begins, there is an assumption in his writing that jumps out at us; as obedient children. In other words, if I truly belong to God because of Jesus, then it stands to reason that I will be obedient. It has always been that those who call themselves children of God ought to look like children of God. That should be the norm and not the exception. However, we all know the daily struggle when disobedience tends to get the upper hand. I believe that is why Peter reminds his readers in verse 15 to be holy. You see, our being called by God to salvation carries with it responsibilities. We are to appropriate God’s empowering strength be be holy.

So what is that like? Peter explains by showing what it should not be—do not be conformed to the former lusts. In other words, don’t be shaped by those things which used to rule over our lives that made us look like we belonged to this world and were actually against God. It’s not that we used to intentionally pursue these things. We were often doing so in your ignorance. We really didn’t know any better. That was simply our sin nature which we inherited and kept right on going.

However, now that we’ve been born again, we have been given a longing to do what is right and pleasing to God as well as the power to do so. For the individual who is truly born again, we do not waste time trying to separate the holy and spiritual from the secular. Everything that we do should be for the glory of God. Our primary motivation is our relationship with God. We represent God in all that we do. He has intentionally chosen us to be His children. Why would I want to represent anything else other than the holiness of God?!

God is calling us to be holy. I must live differently, separated from evil and focused on pleasing God. It is not something I am capable of doing in my own strength. I can only do this through Christ as I submit myself to Him.

One of the simplest ways to discern if what we are doing or what we’re involved with is holy, is to ask ourselves, What does the Bible teach about this? Though we are not under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, there are principles that can guide our behaviors. In fact, that is what the readers of Peter’s letter were familiar with was the Old Testament. Even today, we recognize that with the Ten Commandments, we see that nine of them are repeated throughout the New Testament letters. We also know that God’s character and standards do not change. So, study the Bible. In doing that, you will better know God.

We Must Be Living Appropriately. - 1:17

Finally, we have seen that all the facts are processed in our minds; we have experienced the understanding of our need to be obedient in holiness for God’s glory. Now, we come to the time when it goes from our brain to our heart and now to our feet. It’s how we are to live our lives for Christ in this world which is completely opposed to the things of God.

1 Peter 1:17 NASB95

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

The imperative in this verse is found in conduct yourselves in fear. This is not implying quaking in your boots or trembling in fear of doing something wrong. It means to have awe, respect, and reverence for God. It has been stated that A confident driver also possesses a healthy fear of an accident that prevents him from doing anything foolish. We have complete confidence in our salvation through Jesus Christ because of God’s wonderful promises. However, we are to live in a reverential manner, not wanting to take chances or put God to the test.

A confident driver also possesses a healthy fear of an accident that prevents him from doing anything foolish.

Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 81.

What is the purpose of this idea? It is understood from the wording of the very first part of this verse that we do address God as our Father. The next part of the verse shows that our Father is the ultimate judge. It is important to understand that God is our heavenly Father to whom we communicate. We also understand that He is an impartial judge who plays no favorites. As His children, we are to be living holy lives so that the world will recognize us as children of the King.

In addition, we know from other passages of Scripture that our work on this earth will be judged, not for salvation but for reward or lack thereof. We also know that sometimes judgment can actually happen in the immediate.

1 Peter 4:17 NASB95

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

This is seen as direct discipline from our Lord. The earthly obvious example is seen in the earthly family where discipline often comes alongside love. In view of all of this, it is imperative that as beloved children of God, chosen before time began to be given salvation, that we understand as much as we are able and that we live our lives on this earth in such a way that the world will know that we are merely living holy lives because our heavenly Father is holy. It has been stated that eternal life has observable characteristics.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you are able to see a logical progression in this section of verses today. In our response to God’s glorious salvation given to us through Jesus Christ, it is important that we know what we need to do. There must be a solid foundation to which we can constantly refer. When there is an understanding and a willingness to prepare mentally, then we will be attuned to the Holy Spirit and will recognize within our spirit the difference between the unholy and that which is holy. As we continue to surrender our thoughts and our will to God in obedience to Him because we are His children, then it stands to reason that we will live appropriately. This brings glory to God and is a wonderful example to an onlooking world.

Paul speaks to this in his letter to the Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 2:10–12 NASB95

You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.