In 1 Peter! We find a similar sequence. In the first twelve verses the Apostle Peter has explored and expounded some of the history and teaching of the Gospel. He has reminded these Believers, who were scattered abroad because of their faith, of their--

Therefore we find in verses 13-16, the Apostle is making the point that the experience of Salvation leads directly to the promotion of a Holy Life.

The appeal contained in these verses was very much needed in the first century; it is also one that needs to be made today to all who profess the name of Jesus.

How many Believers personify and practise the happy, holy and useful life of which Peter speaks? Many professing Christians are living on a low level of Spiritual experience. The sad thing is that they are content and satisfied to stay there.

Therefore having received the Gospel, you are required to live the Gospel. This is Love’s Great Requirement" and it is a three-fold call to every believer.

The Eastern dress for men in those days was a loosely hanging Garment, which reached down to the ankles. It was customary for men to gather up this loose garment and to fold it within the girdle at the waist. When this was done the wearer could put energy and haste into his stride. When the garment had been girded up, that which would impede and hinder was removed.

Friends--As the girdle was needed to lift up the garment that would hinder the physical walk, so our minds need to be girded. They need disciplining; that our Spiritual walk is not hindered.

The Gospel of the Grace of God must control our Minds. We need to guard our minds lest they become the Playground of the Devil.

The Believer must learn to guard the mind, for the Devil can put Doubts in the mind" He can make us to doubt our Salvation and to doubt God’s Word.

Peter is saying that the Believer needs to be aware of this, and he needs to gird up the loins of his mind. He needs to guard his mind against all the pollution the evil one would seek to place in it.

If you begin to worry about something, or someone, who is making you anxious, the best cure is highlighted in this verse. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Talk to the Lord and tell Him all about it, A little talk with Jesus makes things right, and all right. We must learn to cast our care upon the Lord, just tell Him how we feel and what is troubling us, and what will happen?

Surely this is a wonderful thing, the peace of God keeps the heart, and keeps the mind. Let me remind you that the peace of God is yours and should be yours for it belongs to you.

How can you know it? You can know it by girding up the mind, and speaking to God.

Don’t let the Devil control the mind, for the mind has no rubbish disposal.

Be careful of your thoughts; they may break into actions at any time. He who cannot control his thoughts will soon lose control of his actions.

We need to be careful what we think because we are becoming what we think.

Don’t let the things of time and sense saturate your mind so that this is all that you see.

Listen to what Paul says to the Colossians.

Let us lay hold afresh of the Great Promise contained in this verse.

It means, to be moderate in all things, to be in control of all things for this is essential for holy living.

There is much in this world, that is flippant, and Temporal, which the Devil would use to distract us from that which is spiritual and eternal.

But the sober man passes through this world, and he does not allow these things to distract him away from his love and affection for his Lord.

Hope to the end. Is the Phrase to lay hold of Peter is exhorting those who are going through difficult times not to loose hope but hope to the end.

A Confidence, which looks forward to the end of all things, when Jesus shall come to receive us unto Himself.

He reminds them of their standing before God. Once they were strangers to Grace and to God, but now they are the children of God, and as such, they are to be obedient children.

Obedience makes for a good relationship between a parent and a child.

The same is true for those who are the children of the Lord.

We are not to do the things that we once did in ignorance. Lust is the natural inclination to run wild. As Christians, we are to fashion ourselves according to the will of God, in obedience to His revealed word. The old Nature must not control the life

The Lord speaks in His word, warning His people are not to forsake the assembling of themselves together. Yet many come to worship God just as and when it suits them, at whatever time is convenient.

The Lord sets out the need for His Church to meet for prayer, yet the prayer meeting is usually the smallest meeting of the Church.

How do we stand, as the Lord would challenge our hearts, under the scrutiny of the searchlight of His word?

Are we included among those who are called-- Obedient Children?

"The Sins of the Saints"

A Member of his congregation challenged him, and suggested that it would be better if he preached these messages to the lost. After all sin in the life of the Christian is different from the lives of other people. "Yes", said the Pastor, "it is worse". For if we ARE united to Christ in a relationship of love, then we will want to forsake our former lusts and sin.

The issue with this little girl was not the desecration of a sacred picture, it was her deep love for the Person the picture represented.

Holiness is to affect every avenue of our lives May there be in our hearts, that deep love for the Saviour, that will we lead us to greater holiness, and more likeness to Him.