Life Changes
Opening Prayer
God, help me to be a person of integrity and to live and speak from faith and not fear.
Read 1 PETER 1:13-21
[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [17] Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. [21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are we called to?My daughter is a Resident Alien. She is married to an American and has American sons. One day she may want to become an American citizen. In order to do so she has to prove that she is of good character. “Being a person with good moral character is mandatory,” states the US Citizenship website.In yesterday’s opening verses of 1 Peter we were reminded that we are God’s chosen people, inheritors of a glorious future (1:4), but in the meantime we are resident aliens on this earth. However, that has implications as to how we are to live while we prepare for that future citizenship. So in verse 13 we are given a call to action: “Prepare! Tuck up your long garments which get in the way! And focus!” It’s been called “holy living”; it means we are to live as God lives (15)–and he showed us what that looks like, in the life of his Son. We are to be more Christ-like in our everyday living. It’s more than having a good moral character; it’s radiating Christ’s character in all that we do, think or say, while we wait in hope for his coming again (13). Our inheritance in the future requires that we live towards it in the present.
Apply
Prepare to live in the way you are called to. Set your mind and your heart on the day of Jesus’ return.
Closing prayer
Lord, You suffered for me. Teach me to count it as an honor if others look down on me and I suffer along with You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.