Set Your Focus and Follow Jesus

Scripture

I apologize for how informal this will be, and potentially short. However, until I get the results from my Corona test I can’t be around people. I will be so glad to be back with Robert next week!

Let’s look at our scripture.

1 Peter 1:13–21 LEB

Therefore, when you have prepared your minds for action by being self-controlled, put your hope completely in the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires you used to conform to in your ignorance, but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, “You will be holy, because I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence, because you know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb who was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has been revealed in these last times for you who through him are believing in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Introduction

This passage tells us some extremely important things about life without Christ as opposed to life with Christ.

It also gives us important information about the foundations of engaging in a life with Christ.

Foundations

While Christ is all we need for salvation, we must first approach Christ and engage in a relationship with him. Verse 13 tells us how to do that.

There are three foundational acts:

Peter is telling us to “roll up our sleeves” and get serious about our faith walk. Some translations read: So, then, gird up the loins of your mind: ...” This is a call to serious preparation, as if going into combat or engaging in an act that is extremely demanding physically.

We are to be self-controlled. Serious or sober. When we approach a decision to follow Christ, there is a significance to the decision. It is not a decision made lightly or impulsively.

We are to put our hope completely in grace revealed in Christ. In fact, brought to us through Christ and by Christ. Our faith needs to be no-holds-barred. All-in. Not a back-up plan or a way to hedge our bet. Either Jesus is who he said he is, or not. There is no way to partially believe in the divine presence of God.

Christ-Filled or Christless?

Once we have taken these three foundational acts, then we can fully engage in a walk with Jesus.

First

Peter makes it clear that Jesus alone is our Redeemer and Lord. It is Jesus that frees us from the trap and destruction of sin. It is Jesus that is the sacrificial lamb that allows us to be seen as righteous and approach the throne of the living God. Jesus reflects the eternal purpose of God to reconcile humanity to him. Jesus is the lamb who was slain and the resurrected triumphant one that has conquered sin and death. This is the Christ in whom we trust.

Christless Life

Peter identifies three characteristics of a christless life.

It is a life if ignorance. There is only mystery and no love. It is filled with arbitrary gods that must be pacified.

It is a life dominated by desire. There is only selfishness and excess. It is a world where people use each other regardless of the damage.

It is a life characterized by futility. No matter how much pleasure or how many selfish needs are met, it is never enough. There is no sense of completeness or true peace.

Christ-Filled Life

Let’s contrast that to the three characteristics of a Christ-filled life.

It is a life filled with obedience and holiness. Holiness is a choice, not a gift. Holy means to be set aside for God. To be focused on and purposed around God. We can choose this.

It is a life of reverence. We are able to experience the divine on a grand scale and have a life with a greater focus then selfish pleasure. It is a life that is filled with awe and respect for God.

It is a life of brotherly love. It is a life of sincere relationships that are based on the presence of the divine in our lives. Not on exploitation. Not on selfishness. We are reborn into a new paradigm of existence.

Conclusion

We approach God with a serious and intense focus. In doing so, we can experience the true presence of the divine. We can experience the power of Jesus’s sacrifice and the redeeming grace it brings. We can embrace a life that is meaningful and purposeful.

William Barclay writes:

The Christian is the man who lives the Christ-filled life, the life that is different, never forgets the infinity of it’s obligation, and is made beautiful by the love of the God who gave it birth.