So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. - 1 Peter 1:13
Peter is calling us to personal holiness, I always appreciate Peter because he focuses on the steps we can take in faith, encouraging us forward. Other versions of this passage say, "gird up the loins of you mind, be sober", Jesus illustrates the point in Luke 12:35, "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning."
Growing up I waited on tables, I wore a uniform and had a servers apron that would hold my orders and pens. It could also hold condiment bottles that would be prone to tip over as I carried the food out of the kitchen to my customers in the dining room. When I came to the table I was organized and prepared for serving the customer. I was able to serve 1/2 the dinning room 20 tables, when people started pouring in after a big event in the city. As I walk by the tables I would anticipate peoples needs and make a mental note of it, always carrying things from the dinning room to the kitchen, getting supply's and beverages back out to the dinning room. In sort I was prepared and self-controlled because I hoped for a good tip at the end. I was prepared and self-controlled because I had learned from others and experienced first hand the rewards of a job well done.
Now, as I study God's word and meditate on the 1 Peter 1:13, I'm refreshed with this truth; That God has made this gracious way of salvation. Peter is saying "put all of your hope" here, when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
Earlier this year as we studied the gospel of John, particularly John 14:20 NIV we discussed what day Jesus was talking about. Was it at his resurrection, was it Pentecost (Acts 1-2) or will it be judgement day (Luke 17:24,26-30; Rev 22:12). The most significant days of our lives is when we are born and when we are born again (John 3:3-15). We know the Holy Spirit is actively revealing Jesus Christ to the world and we know having received the promised Holy Spirit that his promise for returning in judgement is also true.
Prayer:
Lord help me to prepare my mind for action and exercise self-control. Help me to put all my hope in the coming salvation when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. Make me holy to you. Set me apart for your good work in me. Help me to obey your good instructions and follow through on my commitments to you. Make me clean, remove the impediments of doubt and unbelief from my mind. Give me faith to follow where you lead, to exercise and do what you've instructed me to do. I love you Lord and thank you for this morning. In Jesus name, amen.
http://biblehub.com/1_peter/1-13.htm
https://ahessblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/10-things-jesus-really-said-about-his-return/
