Midweek Review 2

On your mark, get set, ready, GO!  You are saying what?  Okay, maybe you do need a little more information.  Can you recall the 4 reasons that should motivate you to live differently as a believer?  Okay, lets list them now, see how well you remembered:

          We live differently because of our God and Father!

          We live differently because we have a Living Hope!

          We live differently because we have an inheritance!

          We live differently because we have security!

Oh, now you remember!  1 Peter 1:3-5 is a very encouraging 3 verses as it reminds us of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ His Son.  Which reason motivates you the most in living differently?  I truly find the most motivation from the fact that God’s power protects me in my faith to reach the final goal of the salvation of my soul. You probably have a different reason that motivates you.

The question is how do the reason and motivation translate into application in one’s daily life?  How do any of these reasons functionally apply to our routines, decisions, planning, or even the examination of our spiritual well-being?  This is a challenge that I think Paul gave encouragement to believers for practical application. In Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”   As we reflect on our reasons and motivation, they are applied by first remembering, that God calls us to obey His Word because His Word has the absolute best way to live and best provision for our growing relationship with Jesus. God is the Father of Jesus Christ, but also our loving heavenly Father who in grace desires our good. The fact that Jesus is our living hope calls for us to live daily in that hope as well, not keeping it in a safe box of some kind, but allowing it to affect decisions we make in life, so we can experience living hope in our minds and attitudes.  The fact that we have an inheritance that has more value than any amount of riches on this earth calls us to live this life in generosity and the blessing of others.  As a matter of fact, we should desire to share the inheritance with others who may need living hope. In all that we do, all that we think, and all that we hope to do because of our living hope and inheritance we must do for the glory of God because he is protecting us in our faith.  We live for Jesus because He died for us. This reality should be evident in every decision, every thought and attitude, every relationship, every task, and every goal we undertake.  We have the reasons and motivation to do so. The way we do this is by presenting our bodies as holy and living sacrifices acceptable to God and allowing the renewing of our minds to transform us so we can live differently. Don’t forget the reasons in 1 Peter 1:3-5 but take them with you and let them be a part of all that you are and do today!


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