Holy Living

1 Peter 1:13-25

Introduction:

Last week saw the author: Peter

The recipients: Scattered, suffering Christians

Peter’s encouragement to them was to remind them of the hope they had in Jesus

Now because their hope in Jesus is secure Peter commands them live holy lives

What is holy living?

U To be set apart

U God is holy, so as we live holy lives we become more like Him

U See the qualities of God in our lives: Example - 1 John 4:8-16

U Our focus and priorities are His

Manner of holy living:

Is not something we do on our own

It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives

It involves following His leading and nudging in our lives

Reasons to live a holy life:

1. It is pleasing to God

2. It fits with God’s nature: He is holy

3. God’s judgment is coming

4. It is a natural response to God’s love

I. Holy living is pleasing to God v. 13

“Therefore” = after all that God has done the very least that you can do is that which is pleasing to Him

That is what we see Christ doing: desiring to please the Father, “not my will….”

We please Him by doing what He desires: Command to follow is “live holy.”

1. “Gird up the loins of your mind” v. 13

1) Meaning: Roll up your sleeves

They wore long robes that hindered their movement

Before any strenuous activity they would tuck the hem into belt

2) Purpose: Get anything out of the way that would hinder work

3) Application: Gird up the loins of our minds

Take from our minds that which would hinder holy living

Illus. Hebrews 12:1 weight that easily besets us

What types of things need to be put out of our minds?

Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

How do we do this? Replace negative with a positive

2. “Be sober” v. 13

Sober = Self controlled

Has to do with the pleasures of this life

They were not to be controlled by their pleasures or by what felt good to them

Holy living was going to take away some of those pleasures, it would lead to suffering and trials.

3. Hope till the end v. 13 I.E. they were to look for the revelation of Jesus Christ

This would give them an eternal perspective on life: see what is important

This would motivate to holy living: doing right

Without an eternal perspective all we have is the here and now

-Might as well get all of the pleasure and enjoyment we can

With an eternal perspective:

Willing to sacrifice

Can be self controlled

Driven to live holy: Whole different purpose and motivation

Hymn “When we see Christ” page 216 sums the thought up well

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

We do these things because God has commanded them and we desire to please Him.

II. Holy Living fits with God’s nature: He is holy vv. 14-16

1. Natural for Children to imitate (try to be like) their parents

1 John 3:1 We are children of God

2 Peter 1:4 We are partakers of His divine nature

Remember times of imitating my parents

Remember others saying that I must be a Jennings

It is natural that if we are God’s children that we would want to be like Him

2. He is to be our perfect pattern vv. 15-16

Parents often say, “do as I say not as I do” which is not good

But it shows that our parents are not the perfect examples

There are things that we say and do that we do not want our kids to imitate

That is not true with God: He tells us to be like Him in ALL manner of conduct.

3. How do we accomplish?

Romans 12:1-2 By being conformed to the world

By the renewing of our minds (back to gird up)

III. Holy Living is necessary because God’s judgment is coming v. 17

1. Certainty of the judgment: “God without partiality judges”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

2 Cor. 5:9-10 “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

2. Fairness of the judgment “who without partiality judges”

God is not looking on dress, appearance, or outward appearances but on the heart

How many Christians live life as a lie? Pretend to be more holy than they really are? Like putting on a mask and living that way.

3. Motivation of the judgment v. 17c

Knowing that we will give an account motivates

Like the milk inspector coming to the farm (or thought that he might)

IV. Holy living is also a response to God’s love vv. 18-21

1. Peter reminds us of our condition before God v. 18

Picture of a slave in need of redemption

Helpless without some else to pay the price

Price was not silver or gold but something much more precious

2. Peter reminds of the price that had to be paid v. 19

3. Peter reminds us of where our hope really is: vv. 20-21 “In God”

The one who:

-Foreordained

-Made manifest

-Raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him glory

-Is our hope