1 Peter 1:13-19

Guard Hope vv.13-16

Guard Your Mind to Guide Your Hope

v-13. “preparing your minds for action.” There is an image here of tying up your robe for battle. It’s turning a robe into running shorts.

And being sober“—it’s image of not being drunk when it comes to spiritual things. It implies alertness, and evaluating things correctly, because you see clearly.

set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you”- hope is not a lack of assurance, in this context it is faith. “set your faith fully on the grace that will be brought to you.” Presently set all of your focus, by faith, for what is to come! “Hope fully” in Greek is a command. Everything before this is to support this action!

Why? Go back to last week’s text vv.3-5. Hope in it! Bask in these faith producing promises!

Your mind, guides your heart! The heart guides your passions! We’ve got to saturate our minds with the things of Christ.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

What you see, hear, and consume can form an intoxicating lure to the world! It may be money, hobbies, or anything that leaves you less in love with God! Flee from them!

Do not let anything intoxicate you and draw you away from the glory of God! 

If you do not guard your mind, your hope will always be guided away from Christ! Why? Because the things of this world look so sweet, but it’s a mirage!

Grant God Honor v.17

Grant Each Moment to Give God Honor  

I really believe this is referring to the Day of Judgment. We have got to continue with a healthy fear, meaning a great respect for God. You mean to tell me that if I’m not serving God and making my life count, I may not be a Christian? That is the most loving thing I can tell you. If there is no concept of awe of God and no commitment to serve Him with your life, be alarmed