How To Be Holy, I, Ii, & Iii

A. Opening illustration: Olympic athletes in training. They set aside all priorities for four years waiting for a change to complete on a world stage. Did they not feel the hope that their training would propel them to victory, they would not give four years, blood, sweat, and tears, strained muscles, tendons, and ligaments, bumps, bruises, and scrapes. They would not endure the yelling from the trainers, seemingly endless preliminaries and qualification tournaments, or the pressure over and over. They have their eyes on the prize and the gold medal and being the best in the world for a day is worth it all to them.

B. Background to passage: Don’t hear what I’m not saying: holiness doesn’t make you a Christian or earn salvation. Holiness (freedom from impurity) is the fruit of being a Christian and the aim of those who are following Christ. Peter speaks on the foundation that he has established and continues, that these people are believers. Note the “therefore” at the beginning after coming off paragraphs of their salvation, as well as the language used to describe them—grace that will be brought to them, obedient children, former ignorance, called by God, calling on the Father, your exile (heaven is your home), you were ransomed, and their faith and hope were in God.

C. Main thought: Over the next two weeks we will look at some helpful means to aid you in pursuit of holiness

1) Prepare Your Mind (v. 13)

a. This is actually a participial phrase describing a state of being. First two helps are supports for the first main command. Pull up long flowing clothing out of the way in order to run or react. This deals with spiritual alertness and preparation. This is the ability and determination to discipline your thoughts

b. Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 2 Tim 2:4 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Luke 12:25 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth.

c. Illustration: I get distracted easily, “Discipline in the Christian life is just as essential as in any other walk of life where success depends on a determined, single-minded commitment.”

d. Here we are told to guard against spiritual laziness, prepare to see God work, and move with instant obedience, as one writer said. We have the Spirit of God living inside of us. He uses us as instruments to bring God glory and accomplish his purposes, therefore we must be ready. So, how do we do that? Things like fear should be tucked in and replaced with faith. Worry should be tied down and replaced with trust and confidence in God. Jealousy and covetousness replaced with contentment. Hate replaced with love. Unforgiveness should be replaced with forgiveness. Pride should be replaced with humility. Anger and aggression. Bathing your mind in the Word is crucial. I know it sounds like a broken record, but this is a thought that we must drive home. Trust in the gospel and the Spirit are the next two keys. Read books from authors that are not afraid to speak truth in love in the gospel. Fill your minutes

2) Be Self-controlled (v. 13)

a. Well-balanced. Not obsessed or controlled by things. Differing from the previous idea that we must be prepared for the moving of the Spirit, this thought is that we are to be overtaken in sin that dulls our spiritual senses. We aim for clarity of mind and discipline of heart, maintaining proper priorities. This has to be intentional. Peter uses this word twice subsequent to this passage related to our prayers in 4:7 and related to our being devoured by Satan the roaring lion in 5:8.

b. 1 Thess 5:6-8 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

c. Illustration: my kids think that I am addicted to Tetris,

d. Addictions, lusts, possessions, power, position, relationships, jobs, TV shows, sports are the first things that come to mind. Where are they out of balance in your life? When was the last time that you really took a long evaluation of the various areas in your life? Are there things that you allow to consume the lion’s share of your time that you are not maneuvering them toward the kingdom? Our flesh and our world will slowly draw us away from true north. Satan may not come against you head on with huge immoralities or giant failures, he may lure you ever so slightly as a frog heating up slowly in the pot—we don’t even see it.