STAYING CLEAN IN A POLLUTED WORLD (1 Peter 1:13–21)

The root meaning of the word translated holy is “different.” A holy person is not an odd person, but a different person. Their life has a quality about it that is different. Their present “lifestyle” is not only different from their past way of life, but it is different from the “lifestyles” of the unbelievers around them. A Christian’s life of holiness appears strange to the lost, but it is not strange to other believers. However, it is not easy to live in this world and maintain a holy walk. The anti-God atmosphere around us that the Bible calls “the world” is always pressing against us, trying to force us to conform. Peter presented to his readers spiritual incentives to encourage them (and us) to maintain a different lifestyle, a holy walk in a polluted world.

I. The Glory of God and the Holiness of God. (1 Peter 1:13-15)

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

A. Christians today live with the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ.

“Gird up the loins of your mind” simply means, “Pull your thoughts together! Have a disciplined mind!” The image is that of a robed man, tucking his robe under the belt, so he can be free to run. When you center your thoughts on the return of Christ, and live accordingly, you escape the many worldly things that would encumber your mind and hinder your spiritual progress.

Outlook determines outcome; attitude determines action. A Christian who is looking for the glory of God has a greater motivation for present obedience than a Christian who ignores the Lord’s return. Not only should we have a disciplined mind, but we should also have a sober mind. The word means “to be calm, steady, controlled; to weigh matters.” Unfortunately some people get “carried away” with prophetic studies and lose their spiritual balance. The fact that Christ is coming should encourage us to be calm and collected.

The result of this spiritual mind-set is that a believer experiences the grace of God in their life. To be sure, we will experience grace when we see Jesus Christ; but we can also experience grace today as we look for Him to return. We have been saved by grace and we depend moment by moment on God’s grace

B. God is holy; therefore, as His children, we should live holy lives.

Peter reminds us of what we were before we trusted Christ. Like us they had been children of disobedience, but now they were to be obedient children. They had also been imitators of the world, “fashioning themselves” after the standards and pleasures of the world.

The cause of all this is ignorance that leads to indulgence. Unsaved people lack spiritual intelligence, and this causes them to give themselves to all kinds of fleshly and worldly indulgences (see Acts 17:30; Eph. 4:17ff). Since we were born with a fallen nature, it was natural for us to live sinful lives. Nature determines appetites and actions.

We would still be in that sad sinful plight were it not for the grace of God. He called us! We are called to be holy. We are called “out of darkness into His marvelous light”. We are called to suffer and follow Christ’s example of meekness. In the midst of persecution, we are called “to inherit a blessing”. Best of all, we are called to “His eternal glory”. God called us before we called on Him for salvation.

II. The Word of God and The Judgment of God (1 Peter 1:16-17)

16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

“It is written!” is a statement that carries great authority for the believer. Our Lord used the Word of God to defeat Satan, and so can we. But the Word of God is not only a sword for battle; it is also a light to guide us in this dark world, food that strengthens us, and water that washes us.

The first step toward keeping clean in a filthy world is to ask, “What does the Bible say?” In the Scriptures, we will find precepts, principles, promises, and persons to guide us in today’s decisions. If we are really willing to obey God, He will show us His truth. It is good to know the Word of God, but this should help us better know the God of the Word.

B. As God’s children, we need to be serious about sin and about holy living.

What is this judgment that Peter wrote about? It is the judgment of a believer’s works. It has nothing to do with salvation, except that salvation ought to produce good works. When we trusted Christ, God forgave our sins and declared us righteous in His Son. Our sins have already been judged on the cross, and therefore they cannot be held against us.

When the Lord returns, there will be a time of judgment called “the Judgment Seat of Christ”. Each of us will give an account of his works, and each will receive the appropriate reward. This is a “family judgment,” the Father dealing with His beloved children. The Greek word translated judgeth carries the meaning “to judge in order to find something good.” God will search into the motives for our ministry; He will examine our hearts. But He assures us that His purpose is to glorify Himself in our lives and ministries, “and then shall every man have praise of God”. What an encouragement!

In view of the fact that the Father lovingly disciplines His children today, and will judge their works in the future, we ought to cultivate an attitude of godly fear. It is not fear of judgment, but a fear of disappointing Him or sinning against His love. It is “godly fear”, a sober reverence for the Father.

III. The Love of God (1 Peter 1:18–21)

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

A. Peter reminded them of what they were.

To begin with, they were slaves who needed to be set free. The word redeemed is, to us, a theological term; but it carried a special meaning to people in the first-century Roman Empire. Many slaves became Christians and fellowshipped in the local assemblies. A slave could purchase his own freedom, if he could collect sufficient funds; or his master could sell him to someone who would pay the price and set him free. Redemption was a precious thing in that day.

We must never forget the slavery of sin. Not only did we have a life of slavery, but it was also a life of emptiness. At the time, these people thought their lives were “full” and “happy,” when they were really empty and miserable. Unsaved people today are blindly living on substitutes.

B. Peter reminded them of what Christ did.

He shed His precious blood to purchase us out of the slavery of sin and set us free forever. To redeem means “to set free by paying a price.” A slave could be freed with the payment of money, but no amount of money can set a lost sinner free. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can redeem us.

Christ’s death was an appointment, not an accident; for it was ordained by God before the foundation of the world. From the human perspective, our Lord was cruelly murdered; but from the divine perspective, He laid down His life for sinners (John 10:17–18). But He was raised from the dead! Now, anyone who trusts Him will be saved for eternity.

When we meditate on the sacrifice of Christ for us, certainly we should want to obey God and live holy lives for His glory.