1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
While in the midst of persecution, trials, and suffering, it is tempting to compromise our faith, and seek ungodly solutions. It can become easy to forget what we have gained in Christ Jesus, and allow the enemy to convince us that somehow our previous life was better. After all, we were not suffering as much before we called upon Jesus. It has only been since trusting Him that we suddenly found ourselves losing friends, and having family make fun of us. When we started trying to live the right way, in accordance with God's Word, things started going upside down. We can easily become like the Israelites who murmured and complained against Moses and God, when they faced challenges in the wilderness, after being delivered from slavery in Egypt. They quickly forgot how cruel the Egyptians were toward them, and how much they suffered as slaves. Peter was reminding the persecuted saints of his day that they were now God's children, and no longer slaves to their previous life or its sinful lusts. They, and we, are now called to be holy, set apart, especially in the midst of suffering, for God's purposes. We are to persevere and live righteously, in Christ, before a lost and dying world; so that when the Lord opens doors of opportunity, we will be able to not only tell others about Jesus, but also be living examples of what it means to call upon and trust the Lord. Our lives can shine brighter than ever as times get darker. The darker life gets, the brighter Jesus' light should shine through us. Rather than focus on all the negative things that are happening in the world, that may be affecting us, and causing us to look away from God; let us keep our eyes on Jesus and remember that these dark days are opportunities to let the Lord turn up the brightness of the Light that lives within us!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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