“So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. [Lev. 11:44, 45.] And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]. You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. It is true that He was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before the foundation of the world, but He was brought out to public view (made manifest) in these last days (at the end of the times) for the sake of you.

But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you. [Isa. 40:6-9.]”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:13-20, 25‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Not sober minded

Knowing doesn't mean sober 

  1. Make problems bigger than God (intensify it): disproportionate focus, missing out what God is doing in our lives 
  2. Self-absorbed - care about our own opinions and ideas (not about spending etc), cannot take differing views; care about recognition; entertain emotions a lot 
Be sober minded - give FULL attention to:
 
  1. Unwavering anchor: truth. It will shape our priorities. Pray until the truth becomes our subconscious mind/ 2nd nature
  2. Blood of Christ 
    • No more condemnation
    • Protection
    • Sanctification 
  3. God's enabling power is on us - put attention on God's strength instead of our ability (not you xxxxx but God...) 
    • Sober about what God is doing and match Him 
  4. Give full attention to what God wants us to do now - "be holy because I am holy"

Prepare for action 
  1. Prayers (don't stop at resolving internal self and reconciliation with God--> pray to get practical strength to execute God's will)
  2. New learning (specializAtion) - Eg connect to people, social media, deal with difficult people
    • Am I willing? (Holy aspirations) because God is a superb makeover artist -- He will know which feature in you to highlight, so that the glory goes to God 

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