Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16
Peter writes an important thought and interesting phrase in 1 Peter 1.
Basically, he compels us to live holy lives. But he also shows us how.
He says: “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
That’s a striking phrase: “Set your hope on the grace that will be given to you when Christ is revealed.”
What exactly is this grace that awaits us?
Well, think about it. When Christ returns…
It will be the complete forgiveness of all our sin—wiped away forever, with no trace of guilt left behind.
It will be perfect, unbroken fellowship with God—the One who made us, who knows us completely, and who loves us without limit.
It will be an end to all evil in this world. Pain, sorrow, injustice, and death will vanish. Righteousness will finally rule.
It will be the day when Jesus is revealed in all His glory as King and Judge. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow, and the world will be face to face with His full glory.
It will be reunion with every believer who has ever lived—gathered from across the ages, worshiping together in perfect unity.
And it will be the full arrival of God’s Kingdom—the inheritance we have been promised, no longer hoped for from a distance, but lived in completely through the redemption won by Christ.
That will, indeed, be a wonderful day.
So Peter says, “Think about that day. Set your minds upon it. And then, live holy lives today because of it.”
The ways of this world start to look very small and temporary compared to that glorious day!
So today, let’s fix our eyes on that grace to come. Let it stir our hearts, shape our choices, and compel us to live holy because of it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me set my hope fully on the grace that will be revealed when Jesus returns. Let me see the beauty of what is coming so clearly that it draws me away from the desires of this world and toward a life that reflects Your holiness. Amen.