Called to Holy Living

Setting our hope on the future return of Christ

The word “therefore” is a transitional word. In verses 1-12, Peter explained all of the glorious affirmations and declarations of God’s saving grace in Christ. Starting with our election in verses 1-2. From there, Peter reminds us of our eternal inheritance that is being kept in heaven for us and that we are being guarded by God’s power as assurance that we will one day receive what God has promised. Peter ends the previous section with a reminder of this great salvation that was predicted long ago by the prophets.

In the previous section Peter talked mainly about the great salvation that we have. In this section he will talk about our appropriate response which is to conduct our lives in a holy manner.

First, Peter writes, “prepare your minds for action” lit. “gird up your loins.” Referring to Christ own words Lu 12:35

Luke 12:35 ESV

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,

This image is taken from the Israelites who ate the passover with a loose outer robe girded up about the waste with a girdle, as ready for a journey. Ex 12:11

Exodus 12:11 ESV

11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

The idea is to gird themselves up, both to shorten the garment so as not to impede motion, and to gird the body itself so as to brace motion. The believer is to have his mind collected and always ready for Christ’s second coming.

“be sober-minded” means to have a calm and collected spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

“set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”… Peter wants his readers to devote every ounce of their mental power to concentrating and contemplating on the grace that is to come; which the consummation of the blessings mentioned in the previous section.

The word “hope” here is not just wishful thinking. It is an expecting hope. Peters audience is to wait expectingly for the future return of Christ.

Illustration

Think about those times when we get ready for a long-awaited vacation. We pack our bags, ensuring we have everything we need. As Christians, we should also be packed and ready for Jesus’ return, keeping our hearts and minds focused on what truly matters. Let’s keep our spiritual bags packed, bustling with hope and joy for the adventure ahead!

Application

In a work environment filled with stress and distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of your heavenly hope and become consumed by day-to-day pressures. To counteract this, dedicate the first 10 minutes of your workday to prayer and scripture reading that focuses on the return of Christ. Place a verse, like Titus 2:13, on your desk as a reminder. This practical step can keep your heart anchored in hope while helping you respond to workplace challenges with grace, proving that your actions are driven by a future purpose.

Transition

We first seen that living holy lives first consist of staying prepared for action and setting our hope fully on the future coming of Christ. Next, Peter gives us the command to live holy because our heavenly Father is holy. This is the best way believers can live in appropriate response to the salvation that was purchased for them.

Imitating our Father (1 Pet. 1:14-16).

In verse 14 Peter starts off by reminding his readers that they are now “obedient children” a direct contrast to what they once were “children of disobedience.”

He instructs them to “not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.”

The word “conform” means to be or become behaviorally or socially similar to; conceived of as being or becoming shaped or molded to a certain pattern. Peter’s readers are not to be “conformed” to the “passions” (also lust) of their “former ignorance.”

Our former lives were governed by our “passions” and “lusts.” To be holy means to separate ourselves from the lifestyle that used to dominate our existence. They are to “cut” their selves off from whatever will desensitize them to sin or blur their spiritual vision.

Peter reminds them of their spiritual calling “he who has called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.” They are to be holy in every way; their conversation, attitude, thoughts etc...

We do this because He is holy. This is how we imitate our Father by being holy.

1 John 3:3 ESV

3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Illustration

Imagine two trees standing beside one another. The oak is sturdy and tall, while the pine is slender and tall. They each have their own beauty and strength, contrasting yet perfect. God calls us to be holy, just as He is holy, reminding us that holiness is not uniformity. It is the uniqueness He created in us that reflects His character. Let's strive to be the unique trees He planted, each embodying His holiness in different ways.

Application

This week think of ways of how you can imitate our Father by being holy in every way. This begins with our lives at home and carries on over to our life outside of the home.

Transition

Called to be Holy includes staying prepared for action and setting our hope fully on the future return of Christ. It also includes imitating our Father who is transcendentally different and unique. Next, we will see the call to live holy lives also includes a living life with appropriate fear.

Living with appropriate fear (1 Pet. 1:17-21).

Peter reminds us again of our relationship as children of God. The word “call” here is referring to prayer.

The idea of God judging a person because of their deeds is not foreign to scripture Ps 62:12

Psalm 62:12 ESV

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

He judges “impartially.” Things like rank, status, or privilege does not factor in with God’s judgments. The standard for God’s judgment is a persons works.

This does not mean that our acceptance of Him is based on our performance. What it does mean is that our actions reveal our true heart and faith. “Faith without works is dead...”

The fact that God judges every man according to their deeds should urge believers to “conduct themselves with fear throughout the time of their exile.”

The kind of “fear” Peter is talking about here is of reverence and awe. Peter wants his readers to understand that they are to live in such a way that they do not offend their heavenly Father, and alway being mindful of His power and our dependence upon Him. It means to be determined to love and obey Him.

Peter wants his audience to know that they can live holy lives by reminding them that they have been “ransomed from the futile ways inherited from their fathers.”

They have been ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus. The word for “ransomed” means to redeem or liberate. It refers to a well-known custom in Greco-Roman culture. Slavery in the ancient world was based not on race but on economics. A slave would typically receive his freedom after money was deposited in the temple of a god or goddess and then paid to the slave’s owner. The sum paid for the redemption or ransom was referred to as the “price,” and the slave was considered to have been redeemed by the deity (cf. Mark 10:45.

Mark 10:45 ESV

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Christ blood was the ransom price. This reminder should encourage believers to live holy.

Peter wants his audience to know that this plan of redemption was no afterthought but was conceived of before the creation of the world. “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world.”

“through him are believers in God.” The cross was the sufficient means to bring us all of the spiritual blessings we have. This includes the Holy Spirit and the faith and repentance it takes to beleive.

Acts 11:18 ESV

18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The purpose of our redemption was that our “faith and hope might rest in God alone.” Through God’s wonderful plan of salvation we have come to know and love God.

Illustration

A man once stood at the edge of a vast canyon, the depths filled with swirling fog and the roar of the river below. He felt so small, overwhelmed by the raw power of nature. In that moment, he realized that this awe mirrored his relationship with God. Just as he revered the canyon's majesty, he understood that living with reverence for God means acknowledging His greatness and power in our lives, appreciating His creation while recognizing our place in it.

Application

This week may we all become more aware of God’s awesome power in majesty. May we live every day dependent upon Him and live in such a way as to not offend Him.

Transition

Called to live holy lives not only consist of living in reverence and awe of God, but it also include loving our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love the family of God.

purified” (Gk. hagnizo: become pure. Describes the act of becoming ritually or morally pure).

"brotherly love" sense—the affection naturally befitting the relationship between siblings; especially as the affection of those who are now siblings in God's family.

Peter readers have been purified and therefore are able to love their brothers and sisters which comes naturally.

They have been born again through the living and abiding word of God. Which is not perishable but imperishable.