GIRD YOUR LOINS: WITH HOPE

Once you know and walk in the TRUTH of God and you find COURAGE in God who has ALL of the power, you must stop and make sure you know the why that holds it all together.

For this, we will go to I PETER:

1 PETER 1:13

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Once again, we are told to 'GIRD' our 'LOINS'. But, this time, Peter adds 'OF YOUR MIND'. Obviously, all of this study of preparation focuses on the mind of the believer. The study of the scripture. The focus on the Creator. The purposeful alertness that God calls us to. So, it has been inferred. But Peter makes it plain and out in the open.

Peter, also, adds BE SOBER. This usually alludes to the opposite of being drunk. Here, as many times in the New Testament, it calls the Christian to a FOCUSED MIND. A single-mindedness of purpose governs the life of the fruitful believer. We are not to live a drowsy, inattentive life as we see many do around us day by day. They have no focus. They have no plans. They have no HOPE.

Although, it would be difficult to read and meditate on the Word for long without finding hope and direction, many seem to miss the point of the very scriptures themselves. The power that holds together the concept of girding up with Truth and Courage is the Hope we find in Christ.

I encourage you to read Luke 12 as a whole. Take it in. But especially read Luke 12:35 and following. It is the parable of the faithful steward. After telling us to have our loins girded and lamps lit, it uses these symbols of preparation to show us just exactly we are PREPARING for. This parable speaks of the master of the house who has gone to a wedding feast and left his most trusted steward in charge on, not only the house, but all the other servants as well. Not knowing when his master will return, he is to eagerly work to keep the house running properly until such time as the master returns. Every moment and every action is done faithfully watching the door for his master's arrival.

The whole parable is rich in the hope that the master will return and reward the faithful steward.

Return to 1 Peter. The HOPE that Peter speaks of is the same that the parable in Luke is inferring. For, the story in Luke is there as an image of the Christian who does the work the master left him to do awaiting eagerly and watchfully for HIS return. Obviously, this speaks of CHRIST as the master who promised his return and gave very specific instructions of the work he wanted done. The HOPE is in the promise of the MASTER.

JOHN 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And this promise Peter reiterates:

1 PETER 1:3-5

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We are to GIRD up with hope; for without it, everything else is meaningless. Without the assured promise of the God who neither lies nor fails to back up his word, all becomes lost. THANK GOD we are 'kept by the power of GOD through faith unto salvation' and have the HOPE that it will be ready and revealed when the MASTER returns.