Living before God the Father

1 Peter 1:13-21

Living before God the Father

Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, AYou shall be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

     Previous context: spoke of trials, tribulations, great faith in Jesus, and get ready for His return. In light of these things,

EXHORTATIONS TO HOLINESS

1. V. 13-16, "Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
        Peter gave an exhortation with 5 parts and the reason for them.
1. prepare your minds for action
1. Obedience is a conscious act of the will. Christians in conflict need a tough-minded holiness that is ready for action.
2. be self-controlled
1. believers should be directed from within, not from without by lusts, temptations, desires, etc.
3. set your hope on the grace to be brought to you at the return of Jesus
1. The hope is that at the return of Jesus you will be raised in new, sinless bodies.
4. do not conform to your former evil desires you had in ignorance
1. Do not return to the evil ways of your past when you did not know the truth.
5. be holy
1. That is, mold your character to be conformed to the holiness of God the Father.
2. Your lifestyle should reflect this holiness.
3. Your desire should be to be holy before God and the world in thought, word, and deed.
4. Your prayers should request the strength to live a holy life.
5. Though absolute holiness can never be achieved in this life, all areas of life should be in the process of becoming completely conformed to God's perfect and holy will.
6. The reason:  Because God is holy.
1. He is the standard of righteousness, of holiness, of perfection, of beauty.

THE REASON FOR YOUR HOLINESS

1. Verses 17-19 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth ; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1. Have you ever done something that was so much fun that you prayed that time itself would slow down so you could enjoy yourself as much as possible?
1. I remember once being out on the waves body boarding.... a perfect day, perfect waves, I was feeling great. There was almost no one out in the water.... but I had to go in 20 minutes.... I wanted it to last and last it was so good -- I was frustrated that I couldn't stay. Such were the desires of youth, however.....
2. Lately, one of the most frustrating things in my life has been the fact that I am getting older and don't have as much time as I'd like to accomplish what I hope to for the Lord.
3. You may not be able to relate to this frustration. But I absolutely want to do as much as I can for the Lord C during the time of my stay upon earth, v. 17.
4. Peter says to conduct yourselves with fear during your stay here.
1. That doesn't mean you walk around afraid of God all the time.
2. Rather, it means that you are respectful of God, knowing that He is your judge and that you should live your life according to holiness.
3. Along with that comes a desire to live for God and to accomplish God's will in your life.
5. Your purchase from this sinful world was at an incredible cost.
1. Not with gold and silver but with the blood of God the Son.
2. Therefore, you are not your own. You are owned, in a sense, by God.
3. You are His and not your own.
4. Therefore, you should live your lives with the understanding that:
1. You will answer to God
2. You have a calling on your life to honor God
3. You are to be holy in your life
4. You are to willingly submit to God's will

YOUR HOLINESS WAS GUARANTEED BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD

1. Verses 20-21, For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1. This payment for sin was planned before the Creation of the world and revealed for you through the Incarnation and death of Jesus Christ.
2. The word "foreknow" in Greek is proginosko. It is used 5 times in the Bible. It is an interesting word and carries with it the idea of causing to be saved. Check out these 2 key passages:
1. Romans 8:29 : " For those whom He foreknew He also predestined ...." and
2. Romans 11:2 : " God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew ," and... of course, our text right now.
3. We are in the last times , a period that has lasted almost 2,000 years. However, most Bible scholars agree, we are very very close to the return of Jesus.
4. The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant and the sacrificial system; increased persecution of Christians all over the world. In fact, more Christians have been martyred in this century than all the other centuries combined.
5. But your hope should not be in the things of this world, but upon the return of Jesus which the Father has foreordained before the creation of the universe.

Conclusion:

1. Living before the Father in holiness is not easy. God wants you to
1. prepare your minds for action
2. be self-controlled
3. set your hope on the grace to be brought to you at the return of Jesus
4. do not conform to your former evil desires you had in ignorance
5. be holy
2. During your stay upon earth God wants you to do everything you can to live for Him.
1. You will answer to Him for all that you have done in this world.
2. You are not your own. You have been bought with the precious blood of the Lamb
3. You are called for the purpose of Holiness.
4. Through good times and bad. Through sickness and health. Keep your hope and eyes upon Jesus.
3. The Father knows everything you do. He sees everything. He knows your plans and desires. He knows your deepest thoughts whether they be good or bad. He knows and see everything and He will be the judge of all.
1. Live for Him in holiness.