(1 Pe) 1:13-15 CJB “Therefore, get your minds ready for work, keep yourselves under control, and fix your hopes fully on the gift you will receive when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed. As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant. On the contrary, following the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life;”

Peter gives us several simple commands for staying focused on Jesus and living the Christian life well.

His instructions are straightforward.

Prepare your mind.

Control yourself.

Set your hope on Christ.

Obey God.

Pursue holiness.

That’s the normal Christian life.

Prepare Your Mind for God’s Work

Peter isn’t talking primarily about our careers.

Work is good.

Providing for our families is biblical.

But the greatest work is God’s work.

Jesus called us to make disciples.

That mission begins in our own homes.

Pray for your wife.

Pray for your children.

Pray for your neighbors.

God desires people to be saved, and He uses His people to proclaim His truth.

Faith comes by hearing God’s Word.

If our families are going to follow Christ, they must regularly hear His Word from us.

Teach Truth. Expect Obedience.

Discipleship is more than teaching information.

Jesus commanded us to teach people to obey everything He commanded.

Knowledge without obedience produces pride.

Truth practiced produces holiness.

Every act of obedience shapes us into the image of Jesus.

This is the Father’s goal.

Not simply smarter Christians.

But holier Christians.

The Word Changes Lives

None of this happens apart from Scripture.

God’s Word renews our minds.

God’s Word exposes our sin.

God’s Word strengthens our faith.

God’s Word equips us for every good work.

Saturate your own life with Scripture.

Then saturate your family and those God has placed around you with it.

Trust the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do.

God promises His Word will accomplish His purposes.

The Normal Christian Life

The Christian life isn’t complicated.

Prepare your mind.

Fix your hope on Christ.

Obey His commands.

Become more like Jesus.

Then help someone else do the same.

That’s God’s plan for every man who follows Him.

Run Today’s Play

Ask, am I investing more effort building my career than building God’s Kingdom?

Then, read one chapter of Scripture with your family or someone you’re discipling.

Finally, choose one command of Jesus and intentionally obey it before the day is over.

Holiness isn’t accidental. Prepare your mind, obey God’s Word, and become the man God is making you to be.