Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Sanctification of the Church

1 Peter 1: 13-19
       
The author counsels steadfastness and perseverance under persecution. He also inspires the faith community to obedience to God. Some thoughts are given below: 

1) Preparing for Obedience
In vs 13. We are called to gird up the loins of our minds being ready to obey God’s commands.  Girding up the loins of our minds means that we must do what is necessary to be ready mentally to move forward in obedience.

Our minds are saturated with untruths and not ready to obey.  We must purposely take in Bible truth, renew our minds so that we are ready to act.

We must be obedient because time is drawing near for our salvation to be made fully manifest at the coming of Jesus Christ.  When Christ returns, we want Him to find us obeying God’s commands. Be diligent now because Jesus is coming again.

2) Looking to the Perfect One to Obey
In verse 14, God tells us through the Apostle Peter that we are to be holy.  Holiness is conforming to God’s character.  Holiness also is a two-way movement in a sense.  When we are becoming holy, we are moving away from our former character and moving toward God’s character.  That’s why Peter tells us to not be conformed to our former passions but be conformed to God’s character.  The Christian, therefore, must conform his/her thinking and behavior to God’s character.

Peter then quotes from the OT, Leviticus 19:2, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”.  He shows us the reason we should seek to conform our character and life to God’s.

In vs. 17, if you call on him as Father, then you are required to seek godly obedience. Vs. 19 states that we have been ransomed by a high cost, the blood of Christ. This Redemption Motivates Us to Obey. Our lives are given value by the sacrifice of Christ.
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, we have been redeemed by a great price. Help us to value your sacrifice with our obedience. Strengthen us we pray, Amen.

Aji Joel
Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Baroda

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