The Apostle Peter was concerned about this very thing when He wrote his epistles. He saw the persecution that was coming and wanted to prepare God's people for the onslaught. In his first epistle he writes to church scattered about, "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. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called is holy, be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16)
This message is not only for those facing persecution, but it for all God's people in any situation. God's people are a people of action and need to be ready to act at all times. The grace necessary to live for Christ during persecution is the same grace that is necessary in times of peace. Each situation carries its own dangers for God's people and we must be prepared to stand strong in our Lord. It is important for us to learn the four components of being prepared for action God gives us in this passage.
First, we need to think clearly and holy. We need the mind of Christ. Romans 12 tells us to present our bodies as living sacrifices unto God so that He can transform us "by the renewing of our minds." Philippians 2:5 directs us to have the mind of Christ. It is clear throughout Scripture that we must think according to God's ways and not the world's. The subtle deceptive ways of the world can only be recognized for what they are when our minds are in Christ, alive with His Word, and thinking in harmony with His Word. Notice how emphatic this directive is: "prepare your minds for action." By the grace of God we must fill our minds with the Word of God so that it dictates our thoughts. Then will we act according to His Word. When I was young I would often ask my mother to pray for me on the days I had a test in school. Her response was always the same; "did you study son? God cannot help you remember something you have never learned." It is the same here. God cannot help us remember His Word if we have placed it there. He has given us the responsibility to hide His Word in our hearts. By His grace we can. By His grace we must!
Second, we need to set our hope upon God's grace. Our hope is not a wishful expectation that everything will be all right or will eventually go away. Our hope is in God's victorious grace in Christ Jesus. Our hope is the confident assurance that Jesus Christ is victorious over sin and death and in Him we have victory. Victory in the midst of life as well as final victory in Christ when He comes to take us to be with Him. No matter what life may throw at us God's grace is sufficient for our need. Apart from Christ and His grace we can do nothing. In Christ, by His grace we can "do all things" (Philippians 4:3)
Third, we must not conform to this world. Its pattern and ways are different from God's. The way of the word is patterned according to evil desires and ways. The way of God's people is patterned according to righteousness and holiness. These cannot coexist in a person. We must yield ourselves completely to God so that by His Spirit we are made everyday more and more into the likeness of Christ Jesus. By the power of His Spirit we must resist being pushed into the mold of this world. The temptation to live and respond to life by worldly methods is always before us. We will be attempted to fight evil with evil. God clearly instructs us not to overcome evil with evil, but to over come evil with good. (Romans 12:21).
Last, we must live disciplined spirit-filled lives; "Be holy in all you do." To do such a thing is impossible apart from God's indwelling Spirit. But, by His Spirit we can live holy lives. We must draw upon the provisions of God so that every act of our lives emanates Christ Jesus; every fiber of our being is permeated with the Spirit of God. Herein lies not only a component of being prepared to act, but how we are to act - "holy in all that you do."
These four components inextricably connected with each other. All four are essential to be living holy lives in such a world as ours. They not only prepare us to act, but are crucial to the action itself. Therefore beloved, let us roll up our sleeves and get to work, for the time to act is now!
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry