Nonconformity

v.13: 

“gird up the loins of your mind”

The phrase originates from a Middle Eastern cultural practice where men would tuck their long gowns under a belt to prepare for energetic effort—essentially, a call to “Roll up your sleeves and get ready to go to work.”

Peter is essentially calling believers to think “actively or energetically” while maintaining mental clarity.

Essentially, we should “think hard” for the sake of holiness before God.

We should put actual effort into right thinking and focusing on the Lord.

Holiness starts in the mind.

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God has granted us strength through the Holy Spirit, and we must use it in the constant battle to control our thoughts. 

Only by striving to focus on the Lord can we begin to control our thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

What you think, controls how you act. Where does your mind go on a daily basis?

We are commanded to be sober or clear headed, this is not a suggestion.

However, whether or not you do it is your choice. But know that God has given you the ability.

This is because of the grace you received at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

This revelation of Christ is a precious thing.

This revelation comes not from man but from God. (sometimes through man, but not from man).

The revelation of Christ comes not from man but from God.

Matthew 16:17

Matthew 16:17 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

If we accept the revelation by (by faith), it brings with it grace.  

Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

In fact, it is our choice to accept or reject the revelation of Christ.

Our choice regarding Christ determines whether we become a vessel of wrath or a vessel of mercy.

Romans 9:22-23

Romans 9:22–23 NKJV

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

We can be sure that God has revealed Himself to all, but not all will accept that revelation, but ALL are without excuse: 

Not all will accept that revelation, but ALL are without excuse:

Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20 NKJV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

v.14: 

To be sober mined is to be obedient, and Obedience in faith brings holiness and Holiness is purity, but we are not pure on our own. 

Holiness is purity, but we are not pure on our own. 

Isaiah 64:6

Isaiah 64:6 NKJV

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

The only way to be holy is to be like Christ, and that requires our obedience to Him.

If we are disobedient, there is no way we can be holy.

So how do we become obedient?

A clean heart will bring obedience, but we can’t do that on our own.

Proverbs 20:9

Proverbs 20:9 NKJV

Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?

God can and will clean your heart.

Psalm 51:10

Psalm 51:10 NKJV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Jesus has freed us from the bondage of sin, and we don’t need to give in to our old desires.

Our old desires were born of ignorance, but the revelation of Christ shows us the truth.

v.15-16: 

We can pursue holiness by making intentional, daily choices that separate us from sin and align us with God’s will.

The pursuit of holiness involves a constant series of choices, where we decide in every situation whether to act in obedience or disobedience to God.

Over time, making God honoring choices will develop Christlike habits.

This holiness must be cultivated in every aspect of life—from private those moments with God to professional environments, social interactions, and worship.

We also need to understand that our obedience stems from faith, and our faith comes from God. And without faith, our obedience is meaningless. 

Without faith, our obedience is meaningless.

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Therefore, our holiness comes directly from God.

In fact, it is Jesus Christ who has imparted His holiness on us. 

This is why God desires our holiness, because it is a gift from His son, and it honors Him.

God is a holy God, and if we are to have fellowship with Him, we have to be likeminded.

We are not to be holy once-in-a-while.

It’s not a part-time job, but a full-time lifestyle, which should be fed by our desire for a relationship with Him.

As such, we are to be holy in all our conduct.

We are to be holy in all that we do.

Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17 NKJV

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

If everything we did was in the name of the Lord Jesus, what we did and HOW we did it would be much different.

Failure to be obedient and holy may not affect the fact of your salvation, but it will sure affect your relationship with God, and your usefulness to Him.