Therefore with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written:  “Be holy, because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16, NIV

I love this scripture passage.  It’s just a simple set of instructions.  Keep our minds alert and sober.  Keep our hope set on the grace that is given to us through Jesus Christ.  Be obedient.  Do not conform to evil desires.  Live differently than you did when you were ignorant, or before you were saved.  Be holy.  I love the ending.  God doesn’t tell us to be holy because He said so.  He tells us to be Holy because He is holy.

I mentioned in a previous blog about working for administrators who had never done the job I was doing.  Let me  tell you, that is miserable.  For someone (that has no idea how to do your job )to tell you to do it in a way that looks good on paper can be disastrous.  What’s even worse is when those people don’t want the input of those that do the job.

One phrase that I really don’t care for is, “because I said so”.  Any rational,reasonable person wants to know why they are instructed to do something.  Especially if that something doesn’t make a lot of sense to them at the time.They want to know the anticipated end result. As Christians, we are asked to believe in someone we have never seen, to trust in someone we have never seen and to trust in God’s word.  God’s word explains the how, the why and the end result.  Once you believe it and receive it, you can’t possibly doubt God’s word.

The absolute best that someone can do is lead by example and that is exactly what Jesus Christ did.  He who knew no sin took on the sin of the world so that we might be saved.  Jesus Christ walked this earth fully God and fully man, living a life as an example to us.  He faced temptation and did not sin.  He was put in situations where He obviously became very angry and He did not sin. He is not asking us to do anything that He was unwilling or unable to do.  And so I know you are saying, “yeah, but He was Jesus Christ”.  You’re right, He was Jesus Christ. But He faced all the same temptations we face and He did it without sinning.

I know none of us are perfect and we will never be perfect, but this is the goal that we should strive for daily.  We should strive to live a sin free life.  We must be sober and be alert.  You can’t be sober if your mind is clouded by alcohol or drug consumption.  If you don’t have the kind of hope that we should have in Jesus Christ, then you may be setting yourself up for failure.  You must be obedient.  The Bible is full of instructions on how to live a life of righteousness.  Read your Bible daily, pray to God and ask Him to give you the strength you need to be obedient.  Most importantly we have to let go of our old selves and our old desires.  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here!”  Let go of your old evil ways.  You will be so glad you did.  Live a holy life. If someone calls you a holy roller, consider it a great compliment.

Seven years ago, I rededicated my life to Christ.  I have tried my best to do things the right way.  I am not always successful but I try.  I try to stop and think in all situations, “how would God want me to handle this?”.  God is always good, He is always just, He is always righteous.  He sent his Son, Jesus Christ to earth to save us from our sins.  Jesus died a horrible, humiliating death on a cross so that we may live.  He was buried and rose from the dead.  When He walked this earth he led an exemplary life.  If we do our best to follow his example, things won’t always go our way, but amidst our troubles we will find a joy and peace that passes all understanding. When I have faced times of trouble in the years past, I have been so tempted to do it my way.  But when I did it was disastrous.  I have learned that when I do it God’s way, it all works out for my good.  How awesome is that?!

We live in a world full of evil, wicked people. People are looking out for themselves and will trample anyone who they perceive as getting in their way.  Our only hope is found in Jesus Christ.  My prayer for you today is that you are experiencing the hope, the peace, and the joy that comes from a good, solid relationship with your Lord and Savior.

Have a great day!