Articles
SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING
God knows all of the challenges we face from worldliness and false teaching which hinder
our success as Christians and has made sufficient preparation to equip us for every good work. In
particular, in the instruction and encouragement of Scripture, we find a resource to empower our
quest for accomplishment in God’s service.
First Peter 1:13 provides three powerful encouragements to move us along the right path.
The apostle wrote, “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” (ESV).
The Christians of the first century faced the same underlying problems confronting us today.
The encouragement Peter gave to them will help us to move forward powerfully in our age.
In the above passage, Peter encouraged the saints to 1) Prepare your mind for action, and 2)
Be sober-minded. This week we conclude the article with the third encouragement:
Keep Your Focus on Jesus.
One becomes a Christian by hearing about Christ, believing in Christ, confessing Christ, and
being baptized into Christ. Salvation is Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Just as we started
with Christ, we stay on the right path as we continue to look to the Savior.
“Set your hope fully,” Peter encouraged, “on the grace that will be brought to you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.” Setting our course by the assurance given in Jesus Christ, we are
able to navigate the troubles of this world and achieve great things for the world to come.
A Personal Note: I know I sound like a broken record and some would even challenge that
perhaps I have made my point and time to move on to a different concern. But, the Lord has
“...granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of
Him…” (2 Pet. 1:3). Yet, we still try to live godly lives contrary to His way. Why not try abiding
in His Word, pursuing after godliness His way and see if perhaps our focus on Jesus becomes
more clear and more visible to the lost world! ~P. Mowrer
