Are “heaven-minded people are not much earthly use”? Maybe that is not such a bad thing from a spiritual point of view! What you think about heaven determines how you live on earth. We are told to “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober”. It is an army term. You would tack up your robe so that you would not be restricted in your movement when marching, running or fighting. There are five things that require us to be tough-minded:-

1 – Purity (vs. 11)

We are to have a holy conduct that is “set apart” from that of the world. See 1 Timothy 4:7. We are to exercise towards godliness. Those who do physical exercise know that it is not always easy. It requires discipline and exertion! It is impossible to have purity without exercise. It can be difficult to exercise. See Titus 2:12. It requires action! You have to get up in the morning and make some tough choices in your mind.

The return of Christ is linked to holy living in the Christian. See 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; Colossians 3:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 5:23; 1 John 2:28 and 3:2-3. The future does have an impact on the present. We need to keep our eyes off impurities and look to the return of Christ.

2 – His promises (vs. 13-14)

Jesus is coming back. This is an important doctrine in the Bible. We have to be tough-minded about the return of Jesus in the future. Jesus has promised that he is coming back. Do you believe that? There should be no doubt! See 2 Peter 3:3-4. The scoffers are already here! The prophesies will be fulfilled exactly as they are promised. There is a heavenly country. See Hebrews 9:28. We are to be eager for the return of Christ. See 2 Timothy 4:8. We are to love for Jesus to return.

3 – Our purpose (vs. 14-16)

We are to be diligent. Our lives need to match the purpose for which we were created. We have gifts. What are we doing with them? We need to get up every day and think about what we are supposed to be doing. God needs to be top of our list. See Philippians 3:13-14. We need to focus on the higher priorities.

4 – Our profession (vs. 17)

We need to be solid in our profession. We are to be steadfast in our faith and not drawn into error. People are coming up with some crazy religions and ideas about God.

5 – Our progress (vs. 18)

We need to keep growing in our faith. We don’t reach a point in which we have reached the top. We are to continually learn and grow. Have you grown in grace and knowledge? Have you grown or stagnated? Have you fallen asleep? When did you last use your Bible? If you don’t progress then you are a perfect target for the enemy. What helps us grow?

• Growth comes through the will of God. God brought you into His family. See Philippians 1:6.
• The watchfulness of prayer. See 1 Peter 4:7. Develop your prayer life. It is tough to be disciplined!
• Growth comes by the Word of God. See Revelation 22:7/
• The work of the church. See Hebrews 10:24-25.

Categories: 2 Peter