Live As Obedient Children

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:13

This is obviously written to believers, obedient children in verse 14. The unsaved cannot think in terms of the vertical, only horizontal. They do not have a spiritual receptor to think perpendicularly – one thought toward God. This is why our president can take the oath of office with his hand on the Bible and sign new legislation to murder babies in the same day. Those who are unsaved are totally unqualified to talk with God or even about God, Christ or the Bible. They have no ability to understand what God has said. Their minds are blinded, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them (II Corinthians 4:4). It gets worse because those who continually reject the truths of God’s Word are given over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28).

I trust this in no way relates to your circumstances today. If it does, I would beg you to recognize your condition and believe God’s Word about yourself, repent of your sin and trust Christ to be your own personal Lord and Savior before it is too late.

For those of us who have been born again, we have a responsibility toward those who are not saved.

1. We must recognize their lost condition (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 17:30, 31).
2. We must pray that God will open their blind minds (II Corinthians 4:3, 4; I John 2:11; Ephesians 4:18).
3. We must recognize that we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) and strive to have our minds constantly renewed (Romans 12:1-2). The purpose here is that we might please God and be a witness for Christ before those who walk in darkness.

Notice the directives that God has given to us through the Apostle Peter in this chapters.

1. Gird up the loins of your mind (1:13). We must now allow just any thoughts to penetrate our minds. We must reject anything that would not please God.
2. Be sober (1:13). By context, this has nothing to do with intoxication. We are instructed here to be discreet, watchful and alert because the devil as a roaring lion is always looking for ways to defeat us (I Peter 5:8).
3. Hope to the end (1:13), the end is our consummation, our future. We have a hope that is beyond the grave and therefore we sorrow not as those do who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13). We are looking for the Lord’s return. Peter states, for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation (or appearing) of Jesus Christ. He is coming soon and we must be ready. It is God’s will that we anticipate His coming.
4. As obedient children we are not to fashion ourselves according to our former lifestyle prior to our salvation. Ephesians 2:2 states that prior to our salvation we followed the enemy of our souls. Even as Christians, there are some disobedient children who think they can be good Christians and follow the world at the same time. These are disobedient believers who live their lives in spiritual ignorance. These are those who from time to time will be given to doubts about their salvation. It is God’s will that we live our lives as obedient children.
5. Be holy as our God is holy (1:15). God specifically called us to be holy and we need to recognize this not as a suggestion or a dream but as a commandment. As “holy brethren, we are partakers of the heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1). It is God’s will that we live that way that we might show forth the praises of Him Who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9). If there is any one thing that sets us apart from the unsaved world, it is holiness. The world must recognize that our God is holy but if we walk by sight instead of by faith, the world will never know Who we are or our God (II Corinthians 5:7). God is specifically telling us that He wants us to be like Him. Paul wrote, Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1).

The Apostle John wrote, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is (I John 3:2).

Think of it, we are related to God as His children by adoption. Do we live in such a way that others recognize we are His children?

In the first paragraph, we noted that we have the necessary spiritual receptors to be able to think perpendicularly. As God’s children, He dwells within us by His Holy Spirit. We can praise Him inwardly because of Who we are in Christ Jesus, something the unsaved know absolutely nothing! Are you taking advantage of this privilege? Jesus is Immanuel – God with us. He is with us always (Hebrews 13:5).

Today’s Quotes

1. The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives (D. L. Moody).
2. God alone has the power, and prayer alone has the key to unlock that power.
3. Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness (Phillips Brooks).

George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.