Have you ever found yourself daydreaming, when your mind wonders off and when startled you almost feel like you have been in REM sleep? It happens to all of us and often people who are seeking to be followers of Christ often let their mind drift and lose their focus on Christ and their determination to hold fast to His word. Notice then the call to action from Peter:
1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) — 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.
As the old saying of interpretation goes, “whenever you see a therefore you need to look and see what the therefore is there for.
There is a building train of thought that began in verse 3 as Peter reviews the blessings from God and the need to be focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and what all has taken place. Since everything has originated with God and centers upon the Lord Jesus Christ, he begins with benefits.
1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The reality of the blessings are not hindered by the fires of various trials because trials refine your faith that is being purified for the day you will see Jesus face to face.
1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
When you focus upon Christ, He brings you inexpressible joy that will culminate at His appearing.
1 Peter 1:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This news is not new because the prophets spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ and even angels long to look into the truth of the Son of God and the glorious Gospel.
1 Peter 1:10–12 (ESV) — 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Based upon all that God has done on your behalf and the wonderful hope of a great future, so great that prophets spoke of this and angels long to look into this – now get your mind in gear.
1 Peter 1:13å (ESV) — 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.
Notice his call is to first prepare your mind for action.
As the old commercial saying went, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” And it is. That is why Paul gave the admonition to take every thought captive, to renew your mind, and to serve with lowliness of mind.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) — 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Notice again from 1st Peter that he calls for a “sober mind.” Serving God and living as a Christian is to be taken very seriously.
Matthew 22:37 (ESV) — 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Please notice the motivation from Peter. He continues to press us toward that expectation of meeting the Lord face to face when He returns.
1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) — 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.
It doesn’t get any better than that so the response we should have is to everyday get our minds in gear by focusing upon His word and committing ourselves to prayer.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church – Clearwater, FL
