1 Peter 1:14
1 Peter 1:14
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
Peter calls us obedient children after we have been made part of Christ. Our lives have been transformed in a profound way. God has made us heirs of His Heavenly Kingdom. As children of God, we are built to obey our Father. In light of this, Peter emphasizes the importance of living up to one's own identity. We must stop conforming to the pattern we followed previously. A new pattern needs to be followed. With our abundance of blessings, Peter instructs us not to be discouraged when problems arise but to allow our trials and temptations to strengthen our faith and to trust in God regardless of circumstances. Consequently, as obedient children, we will not be conformed to the desires of our fleshly natures; rather, we will be transformed into Christ's likeness and image. God is faithful to enlighten us about our own weaknesses so that when we are tested and tried in our faith, we will not put our faith in ourselves but rely on His sufficient strength to develop a more secure faith in Christ in us. By God's grace, those trials will strengthen and develop our faith. By obeying His Word and keeping the old, sinful nature nailed to the cross, we will be able to achieve this victory.
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will.
Joshua 3:5
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.