What happens when following Jesus gets difficult?

When someone first comes to Jesus, they’re excited! They learn and grow exponentially, devouring Scripture, embracing spiritual disciplines and sharing their faith.

Then the struggles of life begin to weigh them down. Or the Holy Spirit convicts them of an area of sin that is difficult to address. Or the Jesus calling them to action, outside of their comfort zone.

The excitement fades, the reality of following Jesus sets in. Then what?

What happens when we’re called to actually do something?

God used Peter to bring the living Hope of Jesus to an exiled people group in a seemingly hopeless situation. As time moved on, Peter’s letters would continue to bring the hope of Jesus to millions all over the world. Scholars and theologians eventually naming Peter, “The Apostle of Hope”.

In chapter 1, Peter writes,

“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. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”

1 Peter 1:13-16

According to Peter, we’ve been called to an active hope! What does an active hope look like? Peter explains 3 specifics.

1. Prepare My Mind for Action

This reminds me of my recent commitment to a “Boot Camp” workout program. Going into it I was nervous and rightfully so. That first session just about killed me!

A few hours later, then into the next day, I felt the internal fulfillment and the physical results. And I liked it! I committed to keep going. But each day after that was different, because I was able to prepare my mind for action. I was able to mentally prepare myself for the difficulties that were about to come. But also, that the challenge would be beneficial in the end.

This is a picture of what Peter is referring to. We should prepare our minds for the adversity and challenges of the Christian faith, so that when the tough days come, we’re mentally ready.

2. Be Sober-Minded

To continue with my Boot Camp analogy, each day I could lie to myself; “It’ll be an easy day today.” or worse, “You’ve worked hard so you should skip a session.“

That’s not being sober-minded though. The truth is always sobering! We can get drunk with our own lies of self-focus and eventually self-destruction, or we can embrace the sobering truth of our current position.

The Christian life will not be easy. Following Jesus will be difficult. He states that clearly, as does the Apostles who came after Him. Scriptural and historical evidence proves it. We should be sober-minded enough to accept the truth of our call.

3. Set My Hope on the Grace of Jesus

This one is pretty straight forward and has everything to do with setting our hope on the future. Boot Camp is not my end goal; a healthy lifestyle, then a better physical, mental and emotional condition is. The struggle leads to the prize.

For the Christian, the future is brilliantly bright, with the radiant Son, Jesus Christ waiting for us in glory. Regardless of the struggle, the conviction, the challenge, the heartache; we set our hope on His grace, pursuing Him until our dying day or until he returns.

The Shift To Provide Further Clarity

After this instruction, in verses 14 and 15, Peter gives an example for further clarity. Peter shifts trinity focus to the Father; us as His children.

At first glance, this may appear offensive in our culture, telling us to be “obedient children”, and then using the word ‘ignorance’ tends to get our back up in defence. Instead of getting offended, let’s consider the actual definition.

“a lack of knowledge or information.”

Oxford Dictionary

Then let’s look at the bigger theological picture that Peter is pointing to; adoption!

Allow me to explain this way.

Imagine my wife and I adopted a boy that had been neglected, then orphaned. And this boy was near the same age as our oldest two boys. Would we immediately have the same standard for him? Of course not!

This boy would be (by definition) ignorant to the gifts that our boys have received through caring, loving, teaching parents. A honourable Father shows His child a more productive, healthy way to live; moving the child away from destructive behaviour. A child is ignorant of such a life, until he has been brought into the family and had time to learn and grow.

As Christians, who have been brought into the family of God through Jesus, we are no longer ignorant. We must accept that a call to action includes a call to obedience.

Therefore

Before these verses weigh too heavy on you, remember that verse 13 began with “Therefore”. Anytime you see a therefore in Scripture, it directly relates to the previous statement.

So what does Peter state before these difficult calls to action?

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

1 Peter 1:10-12

In a sense, this all points back to the Holy Spirit. Once we have given our lives to Jesus, the Spirit opens our eyes and convicts us of destructive behaviours. We are no longer ignorant. We know a better way to live and conduct ourselves in this world; for ourselves, for others and for God.

The Holy Spirit has been working throughout history for you, and He is with you now. And as Peter highlight, the angels long to watch His work!

Will you accept the call to an active hope?

Will you trust Jesus’ call to follow Him? Will you listen to the Spirit’s instruction, guidance and conviction? Will you actively set your hope on Jesus, each and every day?

Why not start today?