It is wonderful God saves us from the penalty of sin and by his victory at Calvary, he frees us from sin’s power.

Yet we still deal with the presence of sin all around us and that old flesh nature inside us.

So we have something to do; something to do to grow in the spirit and something to do to keep from sliding back into the ways of the flesh. Godliness is accomplishable, but not natural.

So, what do we have to do?

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:13-15

Notice Peter said, “we” must “gird up or prepare our minds.” We must “keep sober” (take God and our walk with him seriously), we must “rest” or fix or focus our hope.

We must be “obedient” so as to become holy as Peter goes on to say, so we don’t go back to the former lusts.

God has, by his grace, saved and secured us for all of eternity.

But, we have something to do while we are here on earth if we are to grow in grace and not slide back into the former life of the flesh.

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.