Sunday, January 6, 2019

Living Forward

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (I Peter 1)
This past week has been one of looking forward, focusing on the coming year and the changes that need to take place in our lives.  We must do more than look; we must live forward as well. It starts in our minds - preparing them with God's Word, allowing God to renew them through His Holy Spirit, and having a hopeful disposition.  We must also then train in obedience, responding to His Word and Spirit, making changes when He does reveal, convict, and offer opportunities to do what we have been doing.  Finally, we must be looking even beyond this day or week or year to when we will appear before God our Father Who will evaluate and judge our lives. Have we made promises we do not care if we keep? Or are we truly seeking to live life before Him to please Him? 

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