Self-discipline for Holy living

God Loves Us
God's Eternal, Preserving, Renewing Love

God's Love Manifested

1 Peter 1:13-21. The Message 

A Future in God

13-16 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”
17 You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.
18-21 Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

For Reflection

It is easy to find one's self "slip slidin' away" from the call of God. Losing one's focus on God is not what one wants to do, but rather, a slow, subtle process of seduction into a commonplace existance.

The solution is to repent and ask forgiveness.  Confess not only to God but also yourself, acknowledging your waywardness so that you can return to your God-centered self.  In God, there is no retribution for those who, like the prodigal son, return to God's household.

Pray

Pray prayers of confession, recognize your erring ways and be re-committed to God's service.