Peter begins his first epistle “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout” the world (1:1b) assuring them that they “are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (vv. 1c, 2a). He reminds them that, even though they are being persecuted and are experiencing trials, they “are protected by the power of God” (v. 5). He reminds them of God’s great mercy and affirms that they have “an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven” for them (v. 4).  So what does Peter say to these saints in view of the blessings that God has reserved for them and the fact that they are currently “distressed by various trials” (v. 6b)? Does he commiserate with them, encourage them to hold a pity party, tell them to take it easy in light of the eternal blessings that they cannot lose? Of course not. He exhorts them with the following instructions (commands).

            1. “Prepare your minds for action” (v. 13a). Believers are neither saved nor kept by works. But Christianity is an active endeavor. And the proper behavior does not happen by accident. The mind must be engaged with knowing the will of God as revealed in His Word, and the preparation for action suggests that the will must be involved as well. Conscious, deliberate determination and effort to stand against sin and for the Lord are the hallmark of a believer.

            2. “Keep sober in spirit” (v. 13b). The word sober means “of sound mind, sane” and derives from a root meaning “self-controlled.” In other words, view the world and your circumstances from God’s perspective. Don’t engage in pretense or wishful thinking. Don’t behave foolishly or engage in silliness. Keep your eye on the eternal prize.

            3. “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 13c). Put your confidence in Christ alone. Don’t look for some natural escape mechanism. Don’t place your confidence in Christ and the right elected officials, or Christ and a strong economy, or Christ and the right family or friends. Don’t put your confidence in your ability to do the right thing and merit blessing. But “fix your hope completely” on grace—a grace that is unmerited but sure, a grace that may allow for suffering now but that assures a glorious eternity.

            4. “Do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance” (v. 14b). Do not naively think that your flesh has been eradicated or even improved in any way. Resist its temptations and enticements to sin. Once you had no power to overcome sin; now you do. Make no excuse for sin and sinning. You now have the saving knowledge of Christ and His righteousness.

            5. “Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (15b). Don’t be somewhat holy, mostly holy, or holy in certain areas. Be set apart to God in body, soul, and spirit, in all things, at all times, and under all circumstances.  “like the Holy One who called you,” Peter directs (v. 15a). Demonstrate the character of your heavenly Father; show by your actions that you are a member of the family of God.

            6. “Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth” (v. 17b). What you do with salvation, how you treat the redemption through the “precious blood. . . of Christ” (v. 19) is a serious matter. God does not take lightly those who lightly esteem the price His Son paid to obtain salvation from sin. An essential component of genuine faith is a wholesome fear of offending a holy God—ultimately not out of fear of chastening but out of a love that would be deeply grieved to dishonor or devalue such an infinitely rich and gracious salvation or the One who so freely and willingly provided it.

            Believer, is your mind fixed on blessings or on the temporal trials that would engage you? Or are you actively seeking to fulfill the commands God has given us through the Apostle Peter? God will richly bless those who obey, but He is very serious about seeing that we do so.