“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passion of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you are to be holy in your conduct.” – 1 Peter 1: 14-15 

Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-16

We live in a time the Old Testament believers would have loved to see. Peter writes a “therefore” statement. Because we live in the time we do, knowing and believing in Jesus Christ, we are to prepare our minds for action, that is we are to keep our minds focused on Jesus Christ and what He did for us. Only then can we be ready to serve Him. When our mind starts to concentrate on the things of this world, we will lose our desire to serve the Lord.

Peter goes on to tell us that we need to be sober minded, meaning we are to focus our minds on the heavenly kingdom. We are not to set our hope on the things of this world such as money, careers, or even our families, but on Christ, looking forward to what He will give us when He returns. Peter writes about the great future Jesus purchased for us on the cross, the new heaven and earth. As God’s adopted children we are to keep our eyes on the home Jesus is preparing for us and not on earthly treasures, as if we don’t know what Jesus purchased for us. It would be like settling for sand castles at the beach rather than a heavenly home. For this reason, Peter tells us that while we live on this earth we are to be holy, people who live differently, not for worldly pleasures, but for God’s glory and His Kingdom, fixing our eyes on our heavenly home.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask that we would be holy, having our focus on living for the Lord, having our eyes fixed on our heavenly home.

Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.