Tuesday after Oculi
Posted on March 9, 2021 by under
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
1:13 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; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Devotion
Hope and holiness go together. 1 John 3:3, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” We have a sure and certain hope of salvation that will be revealed at the second coming of Christ on the Last Day. The promise of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life is continually presented in the Word and Sacraments. In Baptism, “Everyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.” In the Word, “Whoever believes these words has eternal life.” In the Lord’s Supper, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” This grace of God is fully trustworthy. Thus, “Rest your hope fully upon the grace…”
When St. Peter says, “Gird up the loins of your mind,” he is telling believers not to waver between the old life of conforming to sinful lusts, and the new life of faith in Christ and the resulting Christian holiness. Tuck your flowing robe into your belt, so that your mind can resolve to live in your new Christian life unhindered. Be determined to firmly believe in Christ, and to be God’s child, holy in all your conduct. Obedient children of God trust fully in the grace of the Gospel promise, and relying upon that Word they lead holy lives. Through the call of our Holy God to believe, He gives us holiness in Christ and works in us the holiness of thankful lives.
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
