Four POSITIVE ATTITUDES to live a GODLY LIFE!

 

December 19 Bible Reading: 1 Peter Chapters 1-3

Four POSITIVE ATTITUDES to live a GODLY LIFE!

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; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Apostle Peter wanted his readers to live joyfully in the midst of sufferings, so he outlined their major responsibilities to God, to other believers, and to the world. In this passage, Peter encouraged his readers to adopt four positive attitudes to live a godly life, which are as follows:

1. Control the imaginations in our minds: We need to prepare for vigorous and sustained spiritual exertion as we “fasten our belts” or “roll up our sleeves”. As we go into a hostile world, we should avoid panic and distraction, but instead be poised and stable in our minds. In order to do that we should maintain personal discipline in our thought patterns as we use spiritually sound judgment in all our decisions.
2. Trust in God with our hearts: We need to rest our hope fully on the grace of God brought to us through the revelation of Jesus Christ as we put our trust in Him. The fact that Jesus is coming back is a compelling motive for us to endure through the storms and tribulations of life as we lean upon His grace.
3. Obey God’s Word in our actions: As obedient children, we should not indulge in the sins which characterized us in our former lives. Through obedience to God’s word, we should pattern our lives after Christ whose name we bear.
4. Be holy in our lives and conduct: Just as Israel was set apart by God from the surrounding nations to be holy, so also are we set apart from sin to the service of God (2:9; Lev. 19:2). Our standard and motivation for holiness is the absolute moral perfection of God Himself (v. 16; Matt. 5:48; Eph. 5:1). We are empowered to live holy lives by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. We are to live dedicated totally to God and separated totally from the sins of this world.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)