The Holy Road

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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.”
 
PETER used Scripture to teach the church. When Israel began their journey to the Promised Land, God commanded his people several times to “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44) Israel’s journey into God’s promise was physical and spiritual. They needed to put away their old lives and set themselves apart from idol worship, their own pleasures and things of the world that kept them from God’s commands. The same is true for the Christian life. A journey with God directs you onto a physical and spiritual road. Your life will change when you know, believe and live God’s Word.  
   Peter teaches the holy life is an active journey: 1) Prepare your minds. 2) Be self-controlled. 3) Set your hope. 4) Do not conform to the evil. 5) Be holy in all you do.
   Prepare your mind. Your holy journey requires good fuel for your mind. Jesus’ truth fuels an active mind that powers your faith to step away from sin and walk with Jesus. Engines do not run on empty, and they cannot function well on poor fuel. The Spirit’s pure power will fuel your mind to obey God’s truth.
   Your active, prepared mind will teach you to be self-controlled. Without God’s power, we have no ability to resist evil. The Spirit lives in you. With his power you can say, “No.” to detours into evil and you can say, “Yes.” to the right way to truth. A holy mind knows the right signs. Follow them.
   As you continue on your holy road, you must know your destination. This is your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. The gospel is God’s gracious gift to lead you to heaven. The journey will be complete when Jesus comes again to reveal his majesty and authority to the world. You are to set your mind to this eternal future. Know where you are going. Rejoice God has prepared a place for  you.
   Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. The devil is actively working to turn you away from your holy road. You must actively resist him with spiritual strength, wisdom and faith. Turn your eyes and mind from sin. Turn your eyes and mind toward God’s righteousness to maintain a true holy journey. To be holy in all you do is a high calling to faithful living. We may believe this is too much for us to accomplish. Consider, though, the Holy God wants you to be as he is. He has made a way for you to travel a holy journey unto himself. His gracious love and kindness extends to you each moment of each day. As a Christian, you have the Spirit’s power to move toward God. Release any doubt or weariness and embrace the faith and strength the Lord has given you.