All that Peter has said so far has practical consequences for the way we live now. Indeed, this is true of all of the New Testament writers. The first thing we are to do is prepare our minds for action and be fully sober. Older versions of the Bible talk about girding up our loins, the reference being to the need to gather up the long robes that some wore so that they could run freely. Peter knew the consequences of not being fully prepared in our minds when he denied Jesus. We need to think ahead making our selves ready to remain true to the Lord.
This is important because it is so easy to be knocked off course by events or immediate concerns. Peter did indeed love Jesus, but the threats and fears of the moment dominated his actions and he denied the Lord. We need to be fully focused on the future that God has for us, then we will be better able to resist these pressures. Note also that it is the grace that is going to be given to us. Often we can despair because of our own weakness and failings, thinking there is no point in going on. But we stand in the grace of God. It is God's undeserved favour that will reward us, so it is always worth pressing on. We should never give up.
We are to live as obedient children, no longer living according to all sorts of fleeting and evil desires. We are children of God, but we are to be obedient children.
God is holy, so we are to be holy. Holy means to be set apart for a purpose. God is different. When Jesus was on earth He was clearly different from other men in the way He lived, thought, and responded. We are to be different just as Jesus was different. For we have been set apart for a purpose, so we need to set ourselves apart for that purpose.
This is important because it is so easy to be knocked off course by events or immediate concerns. Peter did indeed love Jesus, but the threats and fears of the moment dominated his actions and he denied the Lord. We need to be fully focused on the future that God has for us, then we will be better able to resist these pressures. Note also that it is the grace that is going to be given to us. Often we can despair because of our own weakness and failings, thinking there is no point in going on. But we stand in the grace of God. It is God's undeserved favour that will reward us, so it is always worth pressing on. We should never give up.
We are to live as obedient children, no longer living according to all sorts of fleeting and evil desires. We are children of God, but we are to be obedient children.
God is holy, so we are to be holy. Holy means to be set apart for a purpose. God is different. When Jesus was on earth He was clearly different from other men in the way He lived, thought, and responded. We are to be different just as Jesus was different. For we have been set apart for a purpose, so we need to set ourselves apart for that purpose.
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