13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[b] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV) 中文 

Suffering with hope

Having just reminded us about Jesus, the example of dealing with suffering, Peter now instructs us to take action. In particular, it’s to prepare our minds and to place our hope in the right person. We are to be obedient, free from worldly passions…to be holy as God is holy. That’s impossible!

Lights, camera, action

Lights, camera, action! Peter is calling us to action. I like the ESV since it expresses the tense of the Greek verbs which are present continuous. We are to be in the act of preparing our minds and being sober-minded. Let’s elaborate:

• Preparing our minds. In the Greek it is “belt up”. In those days, before they would work, they would tie their long outer garment up around their waist to hold it in place while they work. We can get the picture. We also need to prepare for the work God has called us to do.
• Being sober-minded. NLT translates it as “exercise self-control”. 
• Set your hope. See below.
• Be obedient children. Being told to obey is not welcome in some countries these days – especially if it is like a child (should be). In more traditional societies, children are taught to obey their parents. Of course, that is true in the Bible. (c.f., Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20)
• Do not conform. Don’t live like you used to before trusting Christ as Savior and being born again. Paul teaches, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (Romans 12:2). 
• Be holy. As we said above, this is impossible. Peter is quoting from Leviticus 19:2. Holy means set apart, sanctified. This is not just being different or separate. It’s separate from sin and evil. “God is holy—completely separate from everything that is evil (1 John 1:5).” (gotquestions.org) This is only something God can do. So we need the Holy Spirit of God in us. Only when we are separated from this sinful body and receive the grace of God Peter talks about here will we truly become holy, as God is holy.

Source of hope

Let’s focus a moment on the command to set our hope fully on the grace to be given us. I like this definition of hope: “to cherish a desire with anticipation” (merriam-webster.com). What is it we desire for the future, that we cherish with anticipation? If it is not in the grace that will be given us when Jesus Christ is revealed and our salvation is consummated, it’s in the wrong place, or thing or person. We are sinners with the prospect of just judgment from the Creator of the Universe who’s laws we have violated. We deserve punishment, eternal separation from Him. But, but, but, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” (Eph 1:7-8)

RЯeflection

• What is your source of hope? Seriously. Evaluate your thinking. In what do you trust? What do you depend on for the future? Maybe start by what do you want or expect for your future? Or another way to ask, “Where are you laying up treasures for the future?” If it’s for a better life or easy retirement, those will quickly pass away. But eternity is, well…
• Have you experienced the lavish grace of God to forgive your sins? It is available to all, free of charge, not by our works. We confess and repent and believe.  If you want to find out more, click here.