January 1, 2023

Targets for the coming year…

I Peter 1:13, “Therefore” is a New Year’s word.  The word, “Therefore” means there was material, teachings, points before and there are now more to follow.  Thus, in 2022 we learned and witnessed much; “therefore”,  in 2023 we will need to do this or that.

In I Peter 1:13-17 there are five charges to embrace based on the doctrines presented in 1:2-12 which are about God’s rescue of condemned men.  Being gloriously saved but not yet fully saved means there are things to do until the end – things to do in 2023.

[“Not yet fully saved?”  I Peter 1:5, unto salvation ready to be revealed and 1:9, Receiving the end of your faith, 1:13, hope to the end for the grace.

From saving faith to full benefits – no pain, no loss, no evil, no death – there will be troubles and suffering.  1:6, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials… 1:11, He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.]

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, 1:13.

1. Be Ready – gird up the loins of your mind

“To gird up one’s loins” was to gather all lose clothing around the waist in order to be able to run or fight. To gird the mind is to pull together one’s thinking in order to defend or proclaim beliefs.

So what about 1:6-7 – why does God allow suffering?

So what about 1:10-11 – the suffering of the Messiah before glorification?

So what about 1:2?  Election, the Holy Spirit, obedience, and the sprinkling of blood?  What do those mean?

What about the work of God the Father in 1:3 or the inheritance with Jesus in 1:4 (Romans 1:17) or the keeping by the Holy Spirit in 1:5?

What is faith (1:5) – the faith that pleases God?

What is it that prophets and angels desired to look into in 1:10-12?

“Gird your mind” – study, assimilate, and be ready to defend and proclaim.

2. Beware – be sober – don’t be diluted or allow other to creep in or pollute – stay focused 24/7.

The things of the world are constantly seeking a foothold – constantly calling for time and commitment.  Mark 4:19, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

II Timothy 4:10, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world

3. Be Watching – rest your hope fully.  Keep your eyes on the horizon for your meeting of Jesus looms. It might be through death or maybe in the Rapture.  Colossians 3:1-4

It is important to be living each day with anticipation and keeping a short list of fixes and things to do.

4. Be Obedient – 1:14-16, as obedient children… be holy in all your conduct

If saved, you are a new creation with a new mission and a new model – Jesus!  You are changed as He is holy – be holy!  No longer like the world but be about God’s will and way, 4:2-4.

Labor to put off the world and put on God’s values and ways – Colossians 3:12-17.

5. Be Fearful – be Reverent! 1:17, 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;

We are too flippant with God, His Word and His things like the church, marriage, children and time.  While God is a kind, benevolent, gentle and good Father – He is holy, a consuming fire, and awesome!  He is “dangerous.”  It behooves those who are saved to be careful, very careful, about His fame, name and game.  Fear God much more than man.