ETB 1 Peter 1:13-25

Session #2 - p.19 - Our Mandate

Write on the board:

Remember your inheritance

Prepare your minds

Be sober-minded

Avoid former passions

Remember who called you

Be holy - set apart

Fear/Revere God

Hope in God with faith

Obedience leads to purity

Love other believers

Abide in His Word

This week we continue our study of 1 Peter and continue in chapter 1 starting with verse 13.

As I was reading this week one of the commentaries it made a connection between last quarter’s study in Leviticus and this new one in 1 Peter.

James, 1 - 2 Peter, Jude & Revelation Commentary

Here begins a series of imperatives and imperatival participles stating the new code of living (based on the Holiness Code of

Although the Law of the Old Testament was made unnecessary by Jesus’ death, the moral code and call to holiness still stands and is even clarified in the New Testament.

Last week’s lesson encouraged readers to dwell on the hope in the riches both present and future while going through trials for “a little while.” Today’s passage continues that encouragement through practicing holy living.

As encouraging and inspiring as all of this is, life still has to be lived. How can such lofty, eternal ideas be applied in a practical and meaningful way through such dire circumstances? These are the questions of the Christian life, and these are the questions that Peter addressed in this passage. Holiness has always been God’s plan for His people, but it also has been our greatest struggle. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-’25]

Ask: Where would holiness rank in a list of your life’s pursuits?

Transition: A relationship with Christ should be driven by a pursuit of personal holiness. Today’s verses present practical application of what it means to live a holy life.

Understand the Context

Peter opened this first epistle with a greeting to believers in Asia Minor, Christ followers who were enduring tremendous suffering and persecution for their faith in Jesus. Peter urged them to remain faithful and to view their current suffering within the context of eternity. The joys and peace of the eternal life they had thanks to their relationship with Christ would make their temporary suffering pale in comparison.

As Peter continued to lay out his argument for the trustworthiness of salvation, even in the midst of suffering, several commands stand out. (I have listed them on the board.)These imperatives lead to a life of faith and hope in suffering, and believers should remind each other of these truths. Being born again involves a new perspective on eternal life—a life grounded in a God who never changes and His Word, which never fails. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Explore the Text

1 Peter 1:13–17 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. 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,

1 Peter 1:13–2:10

From the indicative mood (“is”) that characterized 1:3–12, Peter moves to the imperative (“ought”), a change marked by the opening conjunctive “therefore” (διό, dio).

The “Therefore” tells Peter’s reader’s that based on the previous verses, the following verses “should” be obeyed or acted upon. Remembering the gracious salvation and the future inheritance to come gives us proper motivation in our pursuit of holiness.

“Preparing your minds for action” or “with your minds ready for action” carries the idea of a person binding up a robe or tunic. Prior to running or other similar forms of physical exertion, individuals would gather up their long robes around their waist so as not to be impeded in their motion. What people would do to remove physical obstacles, Peter challenged his readers to do spiritually and mentally. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

What does that tell us about the effort required to follow God’s call on our lives?

Last week we looked at how we are to dwell on eternal things instead of the current temporary trials and we agreed how that is not any easy task. Knowing that we “will have trials” in the future helps us prepare our minds for those tougher times.

I saw a graphic the other day about how to prepare for the coming storm season. There were steps to take at the beginning of the season, then more when the storms were predicted to come, and then more steps on the “day of” the storm.

What would “preparing your minds for action” involve? Can you think of any “mental calisthenics?”

You have probably heard the adage, “Plan the work and work the plan.” That works with spiritual things as well. When you know what trials seem to come around in cycles, you can “plan ahead” by memorizing verses that may help you respond in a godlier fashion. Enlisting a friend’s help to pray about the trial, future, past or present, can also help get our minds in the proper focus. Prayer, although passive in physical aspect, is very active in the spiritual realm.

What things might we need to avoid that could hinder this mental preparedness?

Peter hints at one way in the next phrase.

“Sober-minded.” Literally, the term refers to avoiding intoxication. From a spiritual perspective, it emphasizes living free from forces that distract and deceive. For believers, sin pulls away from what is real and true. To use a contemporary phrase, we must keep our wits about us spiritually. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

This then is not a drunkenness of the body, but of the mind. One that is dulled or over-stimulated. Peter is suggesting that one’s minds and thoughts need to be controlled and moderated. Drinking alcohol was necessary for health in the time of the letter, but drunkenness, going beyond the necessary to the uncontrolled consumption is never condoned. Likewise, we can mentally take in some things for daily needs, but uncontrolled stimulus is to be avoided.

Can you think of any mental “drinks” we must be on our guard not to indulge in?

“Set your hope fully”

It seems that Peter understood our assessment last week of the difficulty as well and gave us these practical helps so that we could “fully” hope in the gracious inheritance to come. It is not easy to focus on a future bliss when in a current pain, it takes practice and disciple. We have to prepare and be alert.

We discussed different meanings of hope last week and I found one that works well with Peter’s encouragement to those in various trials.

Hope is an active belief that God will fulfill His plans and purposes coupled with the willingness to wait patiently until His work is complete.

This definition helps us see that hope and the pursuit of holiness is not a passive mentality, it takes effort.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed”

In the New Testament, the Greek word suschematizo is used only here and in Romans 12:2. Christ followers are called to become more like Jesus so the world can see an accurate reflection of His work and character. A believer points others to Christ in this way. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

If obedient children are “not conformed” or “do not yield” to former passions, what do “disobedient” children do?

Peter is telling us the sin to avoid. He is not saying we need to obey him but the “one who called us” as His children.

Did one of your parents or mentors ever catch you misbehaving and tell you, “You know better than that!” That’s what Peter is saying too. Because we are in Christ and we have the Holy Spirit now within us, doing anything or thinking like “we used to” is not acceptable. We should know better, because in Christ we “are” better. We are perfect judicially, even when we do not act like it practically.

“Be holy in all your conduct”

I like the distinction that Peter and later Paul make with this phrase. In the eyes and judgement of God, we are already holy, judicially, because of Christ’s blood and atoning sacrifice - internally. Now we have to “conduct ourselves” in a manner that shows this truth - externally.

James 3:13 “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

1 Peter: Living Hope Be Holy (1:13–17)

At the beginning of the letter Peter taught that believers are ‘sanctified by the Spirit’ whereas here he instructs them, ‘be holy’. Just as ‘hope’ is God’s regenerating act in us (1:3) and something we stir ourselves to have (1:14), likewise holiness is ours by his Spirit (1:2) as well as something which we must fulfil. Hope and holiness are coins with two sides. They are God’s gifts and our responsibility.

“And if you call on Him as Father”

Depending on the English translation you use the Greek word translated as “if” could also be translated “since” or “because.”

“If then, since, and because you call Him Father” show God the respect due that title. It is not something a person who does not recognize His authority or Lordship would do. The more you pursue His holiness in your life, the more meaning and depth that title will have.

“judges impartially according to each one’s deeds”

Even though we call Him “Father”, Peter reminds of another role God has in our lives - Judge.

No one can be a judge without impartiality but notice what is being judged - “each one’s deeds.” He looks upon our own efforts to pursue Him not anyone else’s. This completely negates the “blame game” and “victim” defenses. God will deal with each person individually and their own responses to temptation and failures to “be holy.” Yes, that person cut you off in traffic or maligned you online, but it is for our unholy response and reaction that God holds us accountable.

“conduct yourselves with fear”

Fear is the word “holy fear” or “reverence” not the one for terror. It is another mental state that we must actively pursue and remind ourselves about who sees (the judge), whose we are (the Father’s), and what we are about (being obedient).

Ask: What obstacles can we anticipate when we pursue holiness? p.22

The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott John Wesley’s Mother on Maintaining Holiness

Mrs. Wesley’s advice to her son John: “Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.”

“throughout the time of your exile”

Although our reverence of God pursuit of holiness will never end, it will be different. This last phrase connects back to this week’s “therefore” and the “future inheritance” from the first part of chapter 1. It is a reminder that this world is not our home, that is to come. Currently we are “exiled” from God’s permanent presence, but some day that will end.

Even though I believe in the permanence of salvation, the “fear” of possibly missing out on some portion of that great reward keeps motivated toward holiness on this side of glory.

Peter continues to build on that reminder of the inheritance in the next part of the passage.

1 Peter 1:18–21 ESV

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.

Ransomed

Redemption speaks of liberation. Conquered people become possessions of their captors, yet they can be rescued or ransomed by a stronger force. Likewise, slaves are owned by their masters, yet they also can be ransomed by someone who is willing to pay the price to set them free. Here, Peter spoke of one’s redemption from a futile way of life, most likely associated with the worship of idols made of silver or gold. Peter’s readers could not redeem themselves from idolatry. They needed One who is stronger than the power of sin to set them free. Christ alone fulfilled that work. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

That “futile ways” could also be a reference to the sacrificial system that we read about being established back in Leviticus. Christ freed all men from the need of those types of “offerings” by presenting Himself as the “imperishable” atoning sacrifice. His death permanently accomplished what no amount of sheep blood or gold could ever do.

Ask: Why did Jesus have to die for our sins? Why is it important that the death and resurrection of Jesus were God’s plans even prior to the foundation of the world?

Jesus’s ransom payment was not some spiritual “Plan B.” To the contrary, it was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. Before time, God knew humanity would need a Savior, and He knew Jesus would fulfill that role. This is why God could tell Adam and Eve that one of their offspring (Jesus) would crush the head of the serpent (Satan), even though He would suffer a bruised heel in the process (Gen. 3:15).

Peter intentionally raised this issue at this point in the letter. By doing so, the apostle gave his audience another reminder that they lived during a unique period of human history. They were witnesses to the way God fulfilled His longstanding promise for a Messiah. The finished work of Jesus that had been manifest in a prophetic way centuries earlier (see 1 Pet. 1:12) was now completed before God’s people in the last times. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

1 Peter 1:22–25 ESV

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; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

“Purified your souls by your obedience”

The first step to holiness is our acceptance of Christ and His salvific work. Peter calls this being “born again” in the next verse. We cannot purify ourselves, but our obedience to God’s truths can enable God to apply Christ’s purity upon us judicially. Part of the way we display that internal truth is by our external expressions of love. Specifically, to others who have also “purified their souls.”

Holiness is not merely an exercise in individualism. Believers’ purity should also transform their relationships with others. The quest for personal holiness includes brotherly love for others who are in Christ. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Ask: How does your relationship with Jesus influence your daily life?

If others, believer or non-believers, cannot see the influential change that Jesus makes in our life, then we are stifling God’s work. Sanctification, or the ongoing work of salvation in a believer’s life should be a visible display God’s work on earth in His people. It requires an active pursuit of holiness, in conjunction with regular examination and confession.

Are there parts that He seems have more influence over than others? Is this appropriate according to the verses we have read today?

Apply the Text

Read through the list of the commands from today’s passage on the board.

Which one is God telling you that you need to better?

Make a commitment to follow through on His prompting.

The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible 1 Peter 1:13–25

Peter provides us with at least three foundations for determining whether an action is right or wrong. First, does it conform to the character of God? Second, is it the natural outcome of a life that has benefited from the salvation of God? Finally, will it stand up to God’s scrutiny in that final day when he ushers us into his glorious presence?

Before I close in prayer, I would like to read a portion from one of my devotionals this week. An opposite to holiness is ungodliness, it is what we are attempting to overcome and avoid when we pursue holiness.

Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey Week 10 / Weekend: When God Is Irrelevant (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Ungodliness may be defined as living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, God’s will, God’s glory, or our dependence on God. You can readily see that someone can lead a respectable life and still be ungodly in the sense that God is essentially irrelevant in his or her life.

The sad fact is that many of us believers tend to live our daily lives with little or no thought of God. We may read our Bibles and pray at the beginning of each day, but then go out into the day’s activities and basically live as though God doesn’t exist. We seldom think of our dependence on God or our responsibility to Him. We might go for hours with no thought of God at all. I believe that all our other acceptable sins can ultimately be traced to this root sin of ungodliness. Ungodliness ultimately gives life to our more visible sins.

Pray that God will make you more conscious of the fact that you live every moment of every day under His all-seeing eye, knowing that He sees your every deed, hears your every word, and knows your every thought.

Pray:

Thank You Lord, for creating us in Your image and challenging and equipping us to be holy as You is holy. Help us to commit to more of our life to that which reflects the holy God we serve. You are Holy, holy, holy and we strive to be that example here in an unholy world. We know we have been redeemed from an empty way of life through the blood of Jesus, remind us of this often that we may share it both in attitude and word. Teach us how to love each other more and with greater genuineness.