Titus II Lesson -- March 29th

First Peter
How Shall We Then Live in a Post-Christian Culture
“A Call to Live in Hope”
1 Peter 1:13

Review
First Peter can easily be divided into four sections: (1) the Salvation of Believers (1:1-12), (2) the Sanctification of Believers (1:13-2:12), (3) the Submission of Believers (2:13-3:12), and the Suffering of Believers (3:13-5:14). We have completed the first section -- the Salvation of Believers. We learned that we that we were chosen by God (1-2), that we have the promise of a great future (3-5), that there is a design for our distresses (6-7), that we have a faith that saves (8-9), and that we have a “much admired” salvation (10-12).

Introduction
Now we are set to begin a study of the second section – the Sanctification of Believers (1:13-2:12). Let us read the first verse from this section:

“Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

Verse 13 begins with a very significant “therefore.” In the New Testament, “therefore” often introduces Christian obligations and responsibilities just as it often follows a doctrinal foundation the author has laid beforehand. The “therefore” of our text does exactly this.[1] Peter, like Paul, bases his ethics on his theology. The Christian life is a response to what God has done in salvation. The Christian life is the believer's "answer" to the grace of God. "God has done this for you, therefore, you must live in this way." This is exactly Peter's approach.[2]

So, verse 13 serves as the transition verse in this epistle. Building upon the splendor and the security of the salvation yet to be revealed, Peter will call upon us to think and to conduct ourselves in a way that befits our calling. In First Peter 1:13—2:12, we will consider seven “calls” related to sanctification. The first “call” is the call to live in hope (13).

A. The Call to Live in Hope (1:13)
B. The Call to Live in Holiness (1:14-16)
C. The Call to Live in Fear (1:17-21)
D. The Call to Love One Another Fervently (1:22-25)
E. The Call to Desire the Pure Milk of the Word (2:1-3)
F. The Call to Offer Up Spiritual Sacrifices (2:4-10)
G. The Call to Abstain From Fleshly Desires (2:11-12)

Textual Comment/Transition[3]
In his series on First Peter, Robert Deffenbaugh notes that virtually all translations of verse 13 break the verse into three commands:
· Gird your minds for action
· Keep sober
· Fix your hope

One would normally suppose these three commands are of equal importance with none subordinate to another. But this is not the case. Robert (and I) is normally reluctant to make statements about the subtleties of the Greek language for several reasons. First, very few scholars are really qualified to make such statements dogmatically. Second, most often these subtleties do not significantly add anything to the meaning found in a good English translation. Third, non-scholars may wrongly conclude they are not competent to study the Word of God for themselves. Nevertheless, keeping these factors in mind, he does call to our attention to a subtlety not reflected in the English translations but recognized by a number of scholars.

What is that subtlety? Normally, commands are conveyed in the Bible through the use of the imperative mood. The form of the verb, if it is imperative, indicates we are commanded to act. But quite often a participle may also be used with imperatival force. When several commands are given at one time, the difference between a participle and an imperative may be significant. Those actions called for, or commanded, by a participle may be represented as subordinate to that conveyed through an imperative. Allow me to illustrate by turning to a text with which you may be familiar:

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

At first, there seems to be four imperatives of equal force:
· Go
· Make disciples
· Baptizing
· Teaching

Yet, the proper translation of “baptizing” and “teaching” reveals that these participles are not imperatives. Only the command, “make disciples” is an imperative. So, we best gain the force of our Lord’s commands by viewing them in this fashion:
· Make disciples:
· As you go
· And baptize
· And teach.

This is the same situation we find here in 1 Peter 1:13. Though there are three commands indicated in the English translations of the text, there is but one imperative while there are two participles. The sense of these three commands should thus be understood in this fashion:
· Fix your hope completely on the grace that is to be brought …
· Having girded up the loins of your mind and
· Having come to a sober spirit.

With this textual comment in mind, let us consider each command separately.

Girding Your Minds
The first command is to "gird your minds for action." The imagery of girding up one’s loins is unfamiliar to our culture but it would be readily understood by those to whom Peter wrote. Peter Davids notes in his commentary:

“In Israel an ordinary person wore as the basic garment a long, sleeveless shirt of linen or wool that reached to the knees or ankles. Over this a mantle something like a poncho might be worn, although the mantle was laid aside for work. The shirt was worn long for ceremonial occasions or when at relative rest, such as talking in the market, but for active service, such as work or war, it was tucked up into a belt at the waist to leave the legs free (1 Kings 18:46; Jer. 1:17; Luke 17:8; John 21:18; Acts 12:8). Thus Peter’s allusion pictures a mind prepared for active work.”[4]

This expression makes even more sense if we consider how it was used in reference to the Passover meal just prior to the exodus of Israel from the land of Egypt:

“‘Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’s Passover’” (Exodus 12:11).

Normally, meals are eaten in a leisurely manner with one’s sandals and staff being left at the door. But this meal was to be eaten hastily with sandals on their feet and staff in hand. In addition, their garments were to be tucked into their girdle or belt so their feet would be exposed. Why? All of this was to remind and assure the people of God that they were soon to depart. They were to be mentally and physically ready to move out.[5]

So what does “girding our minds” mean in real life? Peter is telling us that we are to have our thinking in order with no entangling doubts, fears, or reservations. Like a fireman, our mind should be prepared to act without hesitation. We should be prepared to respond immediately when a call comes (see also Luke 12:35-40; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8; Matthew 24:32–25:13).[6]

Keeping Sober
The second command in 1 Peter 1:13 is to "keep sober in spirit." Soberness has two major meanings, the first a literal meaning and the second metaphorical. Literally, to “keep sober” is to “stay sober,” that is, to not become drunk. Metaphorically, being sober means to keep a clear head, to be clear minded and straight thinking. If girding one’s loins is the state of mind which causes one to be ready to act, keeping sober is the mental condition which enables one to act prudently and with a clear head (see how Peter later exhorts his readers to be clear-headed so they can pray effectively [4:7] and be able to stand against the wiles of the devil who is out to destroy us [5:8]).[7]

So what does “keeping sober” mean in real life? John Piper notes: “It means, if you really want to obey the command to hope fully in God's grace, don't let your mind drink in things that numb the mind (and heart) to the value of God's grace. The great problem with drunkenness is that it distorts reality by making the mind insensitive to what is true and real and valuable. The point is: know what numbs your mind to God’s grace and avoid it. Stay sober for the sake of full and passionate hope in God's grace. The great concern of God in this passage is that we not be moderate hopers. That we not be satisfied with half-hoping hearts. But that we engage our minds with the hope-producing truth of Scripture and that we guard our minds from the hope diminishing causes in the world.”[8]

Fixing Your Hope
Peter says in this verse: "Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind" -- it's an image of a person wearing flowing garments tucking the garments into his belt so that he can run and move about freely and quickly without tripping over his clothes. And the part of you that is to be freed by this girding up is your mind. Then he continues: "And being sober" -- it's image of not being drunk when it comes to spiritual things. It implies alertness, and evaluating things correctly, because you see clearly, and your mind isn't numb with intoxicating influences. Then he comes to the main verb (and for the first time in this epistle it’s an imperative, it’s a command): "Fix your hope completely."[9]

What is to be the object of our hope? The object of our hope is to be the grace of God. We are to “fix our hope completely on the grace (of God) to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” When Jesus comes back He is bringing grace to the people of God. Grace is on the way. Hope in it.

How does this object compare with the object most of us in this room hope in? Most in the Church have as the object of their hope – things, people, money, retirement, etc. Most simply do not place their hope in the grace of God.

Why does Peter use the term “grace?” Why not salvation, or inheritance, or blessing, or glory? Because for the believer, grace is the sum total of all the blessings of God. Every single blessing is a gift of God’s grace. None of heaven’s benefits are earned or deserved; all are a gift of His grace. Few words should be sweeter to the believer’s ear than this word “grace.”[10]

John Piper says it most eloquently: “Christianity is not first an ethic. It is not first a faith or a feeling or a theology. It is first the sovereign, initiative-taking action of God. Only now do we hear a command in this epistle -- after Peter celebrates (for 12 verses) the sovereign grace of God -- only now do we hear a command. And the first command is HOPE IN GRACE. "Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Christianity is, first, God graciously, freely acting to save His people. Second, it is man hoping fully in that grace. That's the essence of Christianity.”[11]

Practical Application
In closing, let me wrap up a couple of loose ends. First, let us pause to reflect one more time on the significance of the “therefore” which introduces our text. This term reminds us that in the New Testament, imperatives always follow instruction. In the New Testament, doctrine and practice are inseparably intertwined. Christian doctrine tells us what God is doing and explains why we should follow the divine imperatives for our conduct. Any ethical command not grounded in doctrine (giving to ensure health and wealth, selling all that you have and giving it to the poor, demanding that a victim forgive a murderer and preserve their life, etc.) should be rejected. Ethics must be grounded in theology.

Second, whatever draws our desires and affections away from Christ and His kingdom must be set aside so that our devotion is undivided and undiminished. The Scriptures warn us that the cares of this world will compete strongly for our heavenly hope (see Matthew 13:1-23, especially verses 21-22). Thus, it exhorts us to "bring into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). Emerson once wrote, "Beware of what you set your mind on for that you will surely become."[12]

Third, I dare not close without reminding you that hope can only be found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Without Him, we are lost in our trespasses and sin. Without His work on the cross, we would be without hope. True hope can be found by turning from the deceitful promises of sin and by calling upon Jesus to save you from the guilt, punishment, and bondage caused by sin. "All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Start banking your hope on all that God is for you in Jesus. Break the power of sin's promises by faith in the superior satisfaction of God's promises. Begin reading the Bible to find His precious and very great promises, which can set you free (2 Peter 1:3-4). Find a Bible-believing church and begin to worship and grow together with other people who treasure Christ above all things (Philippians 3:7). The best news in the world is that there is no necessary conflict between our happiness and God's holiness. Being satisfied with all that God is, for us in Jesus, magnifies Him as a great Treasure.



[1] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[2] Robert Rayburn, “First Peter”
[3] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[4] Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), 1990. The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series, p. 66.
[5] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[6] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[7] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[8] John Piper, “Guiding Your Mind to Guard Your Hope”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[9] John Piper, “Guiding Your Mind to Guard Your Hope”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[10] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”
[11] John Piper, “Guiding Your Mind to Guard Your Hope”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[12] Derek W. H. Thomas, “Help for the Painful Trial: Sermons on 1 Peter”