1 Peter 1:13-25

1 Peter 1:13

“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.”

V. 13 – Gird up the loins of your mind is one of those ‘huh’ phrases, or at least for me. The choice of these words may seem strange to us today, but to those Peter was writing to knew exactly what he meant by them. Let’s break it down so that it’s more tangible.

First, gird has two primary meanings, it could mean to encircle one’s waist with a belt or to prepare one’s self for something difficult. The biblical use of ‘gird’ conveys the deliberate act of fastening one’s garments for purposeful activity. Garments of this time were worn down to the ankles so visualize one trying to run or move around quickly with a garment of this length; it would certainly slow your movement or could cause you to trip. When a person needed to move about freely, they’d pull their garment up around their waste and was usually held there by a belt. Second, loins denote lower back or hip area, this confirms the location of where the garment was secured. So, what’s Peter conveying with his deliberate choice of these words inspired by the Holy Spirit? When Peter begins his statement, he uses the word ‘therefore’ as an exhortation (strongly persuading or encouraging someone to do something) of what was previously stated. “Gird up the loins of your mind,” obviously a figure of speech or word picture, is conveying the idea of preparing your mind for action or for things that are difficult. Keeping in mind that we have assurance that our salvation is secure in the living hope of what God has done through His Son and knowing that no matter how severe our suffering that we have this promise which is an unshakable, an “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith.”

Knowing this, Peter goes on to say that we must be sober (alert or on your toes ready for action) and then rest our hope upon the grace (unmerited favor of God). Did you catch that? We are favored by God, this is our inheritance and Peter is reiterating once again that our salvation is secure in Him, by His work past, present and future as we look forward to Christ’s return.

Here in this verse Peter is giving us the ingredients for success in tumultuous times. Having confidence in God’s character and the promises He’s given His elect is essential if we’re to face suffering, difficult times or even conflict with unwavering faith. Trusting God in difficult times will bring us closer to Him and will develop us in ways that only occur when the gold is refined in the fire and when we can say, “Blessed Be Your name, when I'm found in the desert place. Though I walk through the wilderness blessed Be Your name!” Every legitimate Saint must pass through the fires of life for this is the only way to holiness, for we are to be holy as He is holy.

1 Peter 1:14, 15,

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.

V.14, 15 – In these verses Peter is telling his readers that obedience is necessary if we’re to live a consistently holy life. He’s also admonishing his readers that they must not go back into living as they did before their transformation. The NLT puts it this way, “Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.” Jesus stated in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” His statement is in response to a man that was willing to follow Jesus but said in verse 61, “I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” There are two other men making similar statements in the preceding verses with similar responses. My take on this is more of a symbolic one, but it certainly could mean that some individuals are called to leave everything and follow Christ. Whether Jesus is asking us to leave all behind in a literal sense or a symbolic one His standard is one that’s absolute in which every believer is not to look back or return to our past lives once putting our trust in Him. As I’m writing this, I’m recalling what God told me on a mountain many years ago when my life was in shambles and undeserving of redemption He said, “I’ve allowed current circumstances to occur sothat you would not return to the ordinary (This was the beginning of the closing of the gate of my past life). This is not the purpose I've created you for; I've designed you specifically for one purpose, to dwell in the extraordinary. To live a righteous life before Me and to delight yourself in My ways, like David before you, to be a man after My own heart. This is your purpose."

That’s it, no glorious calling or position, just a call for Holiness, to delight in His ways and not my own. Now, nearly 20 years later, I can confidently say that the gate is shut on the past, my way is now made straight because my eyes our fully on Him. My new life is now a resurrected life, the old is dead the new has come. Forever my eyes our on Him, the One who redeemed me from the grave, gave me new life, and set me on a new path that leads me closer and closer to Him.

I felt I needed to say this not only because it fits into what I’m conveying, but it might be for someone that needs to hear that God moves and speaks to the hearts of men and women today, He speaks to us if we’re still and we listen closely, but we must have a contrite heart that desires Him more than anything.

Ok, back on track. Continuing with the symbolic take on Jesus’s statement I believe the underlining meaning is more of a condition of the heart. Remember Jesus’s mission was one of redemption of the inner man and the absolute requirement of this is the consecration of one’s heart, or the separation of oneself (inner man) from things that are unclean, or to be set apart from sinfulness. Jesus confirms the heart of it (pun intended) when He said, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him,” John 4:23. In this verse we find that Jesus is seeking genuine seekers who willingly surrender their hearts to Him. Once we make a heart decision to truly follow Jesus, we’ll find that our desires to look back at what we’re leaving behind will diminish and that our lives will transform into one of greater meaning, have greater impact on those around us and that our hope, joy, and love will grow. Side note: hard times and trials will allow God to transform us into greater holiness, but only if we allow them. The way is narrow that leads to righteousness, but the way is wide that leads to destruction. Living a purpose filled life in obedience is certainly hard on the flesh, but it’s the only way to greater holiness, “for many are called, but few are chosen,” Matthew 22:14. In the preceding verses (1-13) Jesus gives a parable of the marriage feast. What I want to hone in on specifically is the rejection of the man that did not have the required wedding garment that was given out by the king, verses 11-13. The wedding garment that Jesus is referring to represents God’s required covering to gain access to His kingdom, those not wearing the righteous cloak of Christ may not enter. Many will try to get in by their own means (Luke 13:24-27), but only those that come through God’s way will be welcomed in.

From gotquestions.com:

Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides salvation for mankind. Our wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ, and unless we have it, we will miss the wedding feast. When the religions of the world are stripped down to their basic tenets, we either find man working his way toward God, or we find the cross of Christ. The cross is the only way to salvation (John 14:6).

I want to say one more thing on John 4:23. I think most us view worship as singing songs to God, but it’s so much more, it’s a posture or melody of one’s heart that can and should be expressed outwardly, but more importantly it’s an inward expression; one of obedience, praise, adoration, and joy that brings about a desire to be holy. This results in the rows of our heart becoming straight and in line with God’s will. When we look back or take our eyes off the goal of the upward call of Christ, as Paul puts it in Phil. 3:14, our hearts become compromised leaving us with inconsistent or crooked rows which makes straightening subsequent rows difficult. The more we look back the more difficult it becomes to get our rows or our heart in alignment with God’s and if we continue doing so, we risk God’s chastisement or judgement. This is never good, totally unnecessary and will set us back in our spiritual development. And remember when we choose to be disobedient in any area it not only hinders us personally, but every single person you know and love, remember that our lives our not islands we affect those around us for good or for bad. It’s up to you and your will and the choices that you make to either shine light or exude darkness.

We must stop looking back at what we’re leaving behind and look straight ahead to what God has promised, you won’t regret it, trust me, but trust God more!

Ref. verses

Matthew 7:13, 14

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

John 6:44

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 14:6

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Matthew 22:14

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:11-13

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Luke 13:24-27

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.”

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 3:13, 14

“…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 1:16

because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

V.16 – What does it mean to be holy? It’s secular English definition is considered to be pure or morally good. Its biblical definition is to be consecrated or set apart as sacred. So, what does it mean in layman’s terms or how is it made tangible for us as believers? First, lets start with God’s holiness as Isaiah describes him in Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah goes on to say in verse 5, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Isaiah’s response is a natural and repentant one and ours should be the same, one of humble submission to His glory, majesty, and holiness. As believers we know that God is only approachable through the perfect lamb of God, His son Jesus, and the work He did on the cross and through His resurrection. Simply believing in this with a repentant heart brings salvation and makes us positionally holy so we can approach God’s thrown not by our merit, but through God’s adoption as His legitimate son’s and daughter’s. Many believers stop here and never pursue holiness in their lives, thus missing out in knowing God intimately this side of heaven, however this is just the beginning of our transformation. Now listen, if we’re to grow closer to God, display the fruits of the spirit and obtain wisdom, security, and power the bible promises then we must become holy in our hearts so that our minds are renewed. If we’re to become His legitimate children and enter the holy of holy’s the we must be consecrated and made holy. This is the holiness that Peter is referring to here, he goes on to say in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I can’t over emphasize the importance of holiness in our lives; we’ll flounder about like a fish out of water until we take becoming holy seriously and begin working out our salvation with fear and trembling. We wonder why we’re anemic as individuals, as well as the Church corporately, could it be that we lack the corner stone that every other stone is measured by and that is the stone of holiness. Our spiritual buildings, just like our fields with its crooked rows, will be made unsquared and uneven without holiness causing our spiritual lives to eventually collapse. We cannot build on an unholy foundation! Holiness in our hearts, minds, that manifests in our conduct; this is what we must be striving for and must obtain if we’re to be genuine brides of Christ, a bride without blemish shining brightly for the world to see. Holiness demonstrated in our lives is visible evidence that bears witness to the power of God working out His redemption in our hearts restoring what was once decayed and dead. Let’s not squander our inheritance and settle for a life of mediocrity at best, lets strive for the bullseye and run this race to win for God did not save us to remain ordinary people, He delivered us so that we now have the liberty to live out an extraordinary life, a life that only He can give and it comes through obedience and holiness. I genuinely believe that holiness is what’s missing in the lives of most Christians today and why the Church has become virtually ineffective in our culture.

Ref. verses:

Ephesians 1:4-6

“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

Philippians 2:12, 13

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

1 Peter 1:17-21

“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; 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.”

V. 17 – Peter is reminding his readers that God is not a distant deity that religion would have us believe, but a God that is relatable in such an intimate way He refers to Him as Father, I prefer to call Him Abba or Papa. God is as close as we want Him to be (James 4:8), and even when we don’t want Him, He is working on our behalf wooing or pursuing us (Gen. 3:9, Luke 15:4, John 6:44, Isaiah 65:2), but never acting forcefully. I think we need to be reminded of this relationship between Father (God) and child (us), it should help us realign ourselves to Him in such a fashion as to give us comfort and reassurance under normal circumstances, but especially so during times of difficulty.

Peter goes on to say that God is an impartial judge meaning He does not rule by preference, we are all the same in His eyes. This kind of love is hard for us to understand in our fallenness, but as we develop as believers, we begin to see this love manifest in our character and over time our biasness mitigates and we see the unlovable, and even our enemies, more as God sees them, individuals created in His imagine worthy of redemption and certainly worthy of our love and our time.

The judgment Peter is referring to here is not whether who enters heaven, remember Peter is writing to believers, but rather one of rewards or an assessment of our works, behavior, and our motives (1 Cor. 3:11-15). It’s a grading system where an ‘F’ is not an option because Jesus in a sense placed our failure on Himself or in silly sense, He took the ‘F’ on our behalf so that we could enter heaven. This is a sobering thought, even with our salvation secure, of what awaits us at the Bema seat, or in Greek the ‘judgement’ seat. I believe Peter added this to emphasize or to gain the reader’s attention to what he goes on to say in the rest of the verse, “conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear,”to help motivate his readers into holy living knowing that one day that they/us will stand before Him. So, what does this last part of the verse mean exactly? Let’s focus on the words stay and fear, for the rest is self-explanatory. In Greek the word ‘stay’ means sojourning or dwelling as resident aliens, or in other words our residency here on earth is only temporary and once receiving new life in Christ we become alienated to this world and become ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20)of heaven. I know this sounds very strange and it’s not something we want to broadcast to non-believers, but people must see us as different in how we live and interact. Scripture is clear we’re no longer to conduct ourselves as citizens of this fallen world, we’re to be set a part, as discussed earlier in verse 16, to be consecrated. Our conduct should now reflect our new identity and are new allegiance that we’ve made to Christ and do so with fear. Should we be afraid of God and fear Him? In a sense yes, but not as the word is normally defined. The biblical meaning of fear can certainly mean terror of God’s wrath or fearful, but it can also mean a sense of awe and amazement that inspires us to honor and glorify Him in our behavior and with our choices, being aware that He is ever present knowing our thoughts and our motives. Ultimately, we must stop trying to fit in to this decaying world, but should strive to be as Christ and be the ambassadors He’s called us to be.

V. 18, 19 – Peter continues his thought, here in these two verses, by solidifying our security found in the imperishable blood of Christ shed on the cross. We need to remind ourselves of this everyday so that we don’t slip back into complacency and squander the time allotted to each of us, we won’t be here for long so stop living like we have an endless amount of time, remember we’re just passing through and our time or assignment here is short.

V. 20, 21 – I believe Peter is demonstrating the great love of God by stating that the Father’s redemption of man kind was planned long before His creation (2 Timothy 1:9), He foreknew the fall of man, for God is omniscient (Isaiah 46:9, 10), and was willing to proceed knowing that it would cost Him dearly, the life of His only Son. This was all done for those of us living in the last times, which began with the birth of Christ and was finished at the cross and validated by the resurrection. The price was heavy for the Father and the Son, so let’s live out our lives keeping this cost deep in our hearts and in the forefront of our minds which will aid in us living out a consecrated life and remembering that our faith and our hope are securely in Him.

Ref. verses:

James 4:8

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

2 Corinthians 5:20

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ…”

2 Timothy 1:9 (Rom. 16:25, Eph. 1:4, Titus 1:2)

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

Isaiah 46:9, 10

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

1 Peter 1:22-25

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “All flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, 25But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

V. 22, 23 – The Spirits power working in us and through us is the only way we can have purity in our hearts and in our behavior, this purity manifest itself through love for other believers, but also for the lost. I can’t over emphasize the importance of having a pure heart. Does this mean perfection? Absolutely not! Perfection should never be our goal; this can lead to a religious, self-focused, and unloving heart. Certainly, our goal is to aim for the bullseye, but our target is not in our works, but solely on the works of Christ working in us. If we allow Jesus to fully occupy us and have reign over the most intimate parts of our hearts the result will be a pure heart. It’s so simple, but so few ever fully allow Jesus into all areas of their heart so that He can fully take His rightful place as King in the throne room of our hearts. Our entire wellbeing as believers hinges on purity and it only comes by submission to Christ’s authority over us.

Peter states in verse 23 that we’ve been born again by incorruptible seed. He’s emphasizing the new life or regeneration that we now have in Christ and he goes on to say that its foundation is in a seed that will not undergo decay and is best described by what Peter said earlier in verse 4, “that is to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” As I mentioned earlier, referencing verses 18 and 19, that our security is found in the imperishable blood of Christ, meaning it is ever lasting for those that believe for it’s held together by “the Word of God which lives and abides forever.”

Ref. verses:

1 Peter 1:3-5

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”