1 PETER 1
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, 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.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; – 1 Peter 1:13-23
1 PETER 1 CALLED TO SELF-CONTROL & HOLINESS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
A servant of Christ is called to live in self-control and holiness
An unrestrained life will lead to destruction and wickedness
Do not give in to your lusts or conform to the systems of this world
Instead, catch where your mind goes and bring it to obey God’s word
Prepare for spiritual battles that stealthily visits but are not usually seen
Do not ever remove your focus on Jesus; if you do, you will inevitably sin
Be holy for your God himself is holy, embrace a life of restraint and order
But also live in the freedom that Christ has given you so you’ll be the victor.
How would you react or what would you think when you know a believer having explosions of rage and uncontrollable lusts and dependency on substance or someone? Would you not be confused? Yes, it is very perplexing to watch a dysregulated believer explode especially when they are around unbelievers. Why is that? Because as Christians we are supposed to bring the gospel without words to the unbelieving world. What are we telling them when we do not walk our beliefs? We are not going to be witness to who Jesus is and they might think that he is not worth believing or knowing. We are sending the message that Christians are hypocrites. This will give the Christians a bad taste to other unbelievers and we will lose opportunities in bringing the gospel and being light for the Lord. Instead, we are not giving the Lord the glory that he so deserves. Many unbelievers wouldn’t want anything to do with Christianity because of our inconsistencies with practicing our faith.
Peter calls all believers to live a life of discipline and holiness. By holiness, we don’t mean perfection but being pure and undefiled from the world’s corruption so we can live a disciplined life for Jesus.
REFLECTION
- What might be some reasons why some Christians struggle with discipline and holiness?
