Suit Up

Dear friends,

I want you to take a moment and think about this question: If you knew you were going to be in the fight of your life in six months, how would you prepare?

Before soldiers are sent into battle, we try to prepare them by training their minds, strengthening their bodies, and teaching them to use the weapons of war. Christian, you will be going into battle, and you need to prepare.

The day of our salvation is near. We’ve been saying that for a long time, so it’s certainly nearer now than it was before. As the end of all things draws near, we expect the world will become a more difficult place for us to live. And we must never forget that our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.^a Expect conflict. Prepare for it.

So, prepare your minds for action. Think of it like a soldier putting on his armor and gear before going into battle. Dress yourselves for battle. How do we do that?

First, be sober minded.^b Your thinking should always be clear. Don’t let your minds be clouded by alcohol or self-delusions or the illusions of the world or anything else. You have to see the world as it is to act appropriately. See it through the lens of scripture.

Second, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the day of Christ Jesus. I will keep saying this: Remember the gospel! We know what Christ did to save us, what he has saved us from, and what he has saved us for. Fix your hope on that. Do not let yourself hope in anything else; do not let anything else define you. Keep it constantly in mind.

Next, don’t let yourself be pressed into the world’s mold.^c You know how the Gentiles think, how you thought before you followed Christ; now you know better. Instead, immerse yourself in the word. Long for it like a newborn baby desires his mother’s milk.^d Commit yourself to the scriptures so they can shape your thinking. I warn you, you will either be conformed to the world or the word — there are no other choices.

Finally, remember that we have been set apart by and for God. Be holy as he is holy.^e We are not of this world any longer, we are aliens and strangers. Expect to be treated as such and you will not be surprised by the way the world treats you.

Just as wisdom must be acquired before you need it, so must this mindset. You need to be prepared before you find yourself in the fight.

If you look around you and the world seems perfectly safe and sane, trust me that the day will come; prepare yourself. If you look around you the world seems to have lost its mind, suit up, because the fight is nearly upon you. Be ready so that you may honor Christ Jesus when that day comes.

Love in Christ,
Your brother in Babylon


a 1Pet 4:7, 5:8
b 1Pet 1:13
c 1Pet 1:14
d 1Pet 2:2
e 1Pet 1:15-16

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