Remember how we defined the word “hope” as it is frequently intended in the New Testament? Back in verse 3 of our studies in 1 Peter, we read that God, “has begotten us again to a living hope.” We said that the word “hope” in the New Testament is not like the way we use it in contemporary English: Someone asks: “Will it be sunny tomorrow?” Another answers: “I hope so.” There’s a sense of uncertainty in the answer.
When applied to future events, biblical hope is absolutely certain! The Christian’s “hope” is a guarantee of certain blessings to come. You can bank on them. They will arrive! The Christian looks forward to them, knowing he or she will one day receive everything promised.
This takes us to today’s brief exposition of verses 13-14 in the first chapter of Peter’s first epistle. You’ll recall that Peter provided so many wonderful truths about the Christian’s salvation in the preceding verses–all that great doctrine (blessings)–before calling for the duty (behavior) now required.
So how does the Christian live in light of all that great doctrine?
Well, here comes the duty:
“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” (1 Peter 1:13)
Be Hopeful!
Peter writes, “Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
A fair paraphrase would be something like:
“Christians, live knowing what the future holds.” Christ will return and you will receive the fullness of the grace you now enjoy in part. There are many more blessings you will receive–a storehouse of blessings!–undeserved blessings that will be yours when Christ returns. So live for this; resting in this, knowing what the future holds for you.”
Given that Peter has just been talking about times of trials and adversity, the idea seems to be that though Christians face challenges and difficulties and many injustices as they sojourn through this world, one day they will be in a far greater place where justice is served in every way.
It’s like that old gospel song Farther Along, We’ll Know All About It.
“Faithful till death,” says our loving Master;
Short is our time to labor and wait;
Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,
When we shall pass the heavenly gate.
So do you live your life that way?
Are you known as a Christian full of hope?
If not, it may be because of a failure to do a couple of other things Peter says are necessary if we’re going to rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to us.
This main verbal phrase in verse 13 has two actions subordinate to it. Look again at verse 13 and note how we rest our hope in grace. Peter writes: “Therefore,
gird up the loins of your mind.”
What the heck does that mean?!
That sounds strange, doesn’t it?
This is a phrase that doesn’t make much sense until we remember the day in which Peter was writing, a day when men typically wore a long outer garment that required “bunching up” if they were going to do some kind of physical activity.
Whenever they were about to do some kind of work, or if they were going to be running, they would bunch up that garment to free their legs. They would bring it up and tuck it into a belt, kind of like the way we tuck in a shirt.
“Gird up the loins of your mind” is like saying:
“Hey, roll up your sleeves and get to work!” Peter might say, “Roll up the shirt-sleeves of your mind” or “Prepare your minds for action” (NIV).
The point is: “You’ll never be a person full of hope if you don’t discipline the thinking of your mind. You’ll never be able to live for the future–believing, trusting, resting in the promises of God–if you don’t discipline your mind.”
This is not a passive behavior! We don’t just “let go and let God.” Rather, we deliberately set our minds upon the truths of God’s Word and so discipline our thinking as to be ready to face whatever challenges come our way.
I had a 7th Grade teacher in middle school who taught a class entitled “You Are What You Eat.” It was a nutrition class, so we learned that whatever we “took into” our mouths led to the kinds of bodies we would have.
No surprise here, right? In general, if you eat healthy foods, you will be healthy. If you eat unhealthy foods, you will be unhealthy.
This is a bit like what Peter is saying here when he writes, “Gird up the loins of your mind.” If you discipline your thinking–taking in, for example, the “pure milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2)”–then you will grow spiritually healthy. On the other hand, if you don’t discipline your thinking and allow your mind to wander into the realm of impurities and temptations, then you will be spiritually unhealthy. You are what you “eat.”
The second action of verse 13 is similar. Peter writes:
“Gird up the loins of your mind, (and) be sober.”
He’s talking about spiritual sobriety. He’s talking about thinking in a way that keeps the focus on God and our love for Him; living for the future when Christ will be revealed.
So let go of all the “junk” that clutters your mind. Get rid of anything that numbs your spiritual sensitivities. Don’t allow your mind to “drink in” unhelpful and unhealthy things that deaden your sensitivities. Be spiritually sober!
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; (1 Peter 1:14)
Peter is saying, “Don’t allow your minds to be cluttered with the lusts of your former life before you were saved; before you were “begotten again to a living hope.” It’s very similar to what Paul writes in Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,”
In essence, Peter says, “Look, get your mind in order. Don’t allow stuff into your head that will desensitize you to the things of God. Don’t allow stuff to creep into your mind that numbs you spiritually, the way a drunk person is numbed by alcohol.”
Worldly attractions are like chloroform that dull the spiritual senses and lull the believer to sleep.
Be sober. Don’t let your eyes become blurred by the worldly temptations to sin. Don’t allow anything to dim your passion for God.
What kinds of things may enter into your thinking that would desensitize you to the things of God? What are some of your former lusts? What did you used to “drink in” to your life?
What are you now “taking in,” indulging yourself in unhealthy behaviors like an alcoholic indulges in drink?
What wrong things are you allowing to enter your undisciplined mind?
Here’s a suggested prayer:
“Lord, help me discipline my mind; letting go of things that desensitize me.”
Here’s another:
“Help me to hope fully in the grace of God; living for the future.”
What About You?
- If you are a Christian, do you ever take time during the day to reflect upon your “hope,” the certain blessings to come?
- How can you ensure that your mind is disciplined so that you are “spiritually sober” at all times?
- Do you need to pray one of suggested prayers above? If so, take a moment right now to pray.
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