1 Peter 1:13
Go for
future grace!

1 Peter is a very interesting letter, written by the disciple/apostle Peter to chosen or choice believers that were spread out over the region which is now known as Turkey. In the first chapter, Peter talks about the future salvation (verse 5) and the future grace (our verse).

At first glance, our verse seems to have three imperatives. However, that is a translation error of the NKJV. The NIV, ESV, Berean Literal and the Young’s Literal Translation translate gird up and be sober as the participles that they are: having girded up, and being sober. So what looks like a list of 3 commands, is actually one command, which we have to do after the other two items are in place.

Let’s look at the words, to see what they mean. Having girded up the loins of your mind means that we have tightened the belt of our minds. Once you tightened your belt, you are ready for action. You can’t run with loose pants, they would fall down and you would trip over them. In the same way, we have to control our thoughts. If we don’t control our own thoughts, they may get in the way when we have to be ready for spiritual action.

Our thoughts can really trip us up. If you are upset with someone, or if you strongly desire something, you may find your thoughts going back to that person or thing over and over again. You may find your self-talk becoming quite poisonous and you may get stuck in a rut. If that happens, its time to buckle up your thoughts and get them back in line.

Being sober, ‘nepho’, means literally to be not drunk. However, when you look at how the word is used in the NT, it means to have a clear mind, not under the control of sin. It means you see things clearly.

And then we get our imperative, the real command. Rest your hope fully upon the grace that we will receive when Christ comes back. Set your hope, ‘elpizo’, means indeed to expect, or to hope. Grace, ‘charis’, is a fundamental concept in the NT. It is used over 150 times and it does have different meanings. See here for a more detailed study into this word: http://truthbase.net/sermons/title/get-a-grip-on-grace-coin-of-the-realm-of-heaven/. It can mean things like favor, power, credit, or thanks. The context will have to give more information about what exactly is meant by grace. 

In our context, grace is something that is going to be brought to us, at the revelation of Jesus Christ. What will happen when Christ comes back? We will all be judged. Believers will not go to the lake of fire, but they will be judged according to their works (Matt 16:27, 1 Peter 1:17, Rev 20:13, Rev 22:12).  So what is going to be brought to us? Deliverance from the lake of fire, sure. But that does not depend on our self; it is a gift from God. If we accepted Christ then our name is written in the book of life. But if we indeed gird up the loins of our minds, if we become holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), then we have something more to look forward to. Eternal rewards! Glory, honor and peace (Romans 2:10).

The Christians who used this life to bring God glory will receive glory in return on the day of judgment. It is going to be a big celebration for those who dedicated their lives to God. And those who didn’t? What will be the fate of Christians who did not do the good works God wanted them to do? They will still be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor 3:12-15). So if you want grace to be brought to you, if you want glory, honor, and peace, then make sure your mind is buckled up and you are of a clear mind. Do the good works God wants you to do, and then rest your hope on the future grace.

Godspeed!