pramsay posted on June 03, 2008 07:02 1901 views

Get Your Act Together

Have you ever met someone who doesn’t quite have their act together?  He’s not sure whether he’s a cool dude with shades or a father with children. Not sure if he’s a Demolition Derby driver or an accountant. Not sure if he’s playboy or a committed husband – a clown or a responsible Christian. Brown hair one day and bleached the next. Not sure if he’s a fashion model built for designer clothes or a serious believer with his priorities straight. Uncertain whether hisraison d’être is to climb the corporate ladder or to live for eternity.

Are you getting your act together as a Christian? The Apostle Peter wrote some stirring words to believers about getting their act together. We are to get a grip on things that are eternal.

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….
conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways…
not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
(1Peter 1:13-19 ESV)

The fundamental reason we must get our act together and get a grip on spiritual things is – we were ransomed from the futile empty life of our past by precious blood. The blood of Christ is not a thing to be sneezed at or treated lightly. When I live a care-free, unfocused and undisciplined life, I am treating His blood lightly.

It was no small thing that God gave His Son for me. Nothing less than His precious blood could have ever rescued me from the desperate situation I was in. My old life was taking me to Hell. How could I ever find anything attractive or appealing about the stuff that appealed to me back then? How could I ever flirt with the world that despises my Saviour?

The Apostle Peter’s message was really: “Get your act together. Get your mind in gear. Get your eyes focused on living a holy life for God. Be obedient children – not always trying to take your own way or do your own thing. Be holy – wholly for God in all venues of your life. Go about your daily living deeply conscious of your Holy God. Do not stoop to enjoy the trash that once appealed to you when you had nothing better to live for! Get going at living for God. Waste no time.”

As we go about our activities today may we have a fresh appreciation of the price He paid to save us and then conduct ourselves accordingly in light of the future He has secured for us. Holy conduct is what He expects from me today.

If you don’t already know Frances Havergal’s beautiful hymn, click on this link and you will be able read the lyrics and hear the tune and sing along: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/g/igavemyl.htm

Thy life was given for me;
thy blood, O Lord, was shed,
that I might ransomed be,
and quickened from the dead.
Thy life was given for me;
what have I given for thee?

Thou, Lord, hast borne for me
more than my tongue can tell
of bitterest agony,
to rescue me from hell.
Thou sufferedst all for me;
what have I borne for thee?

O let my life be given,
my years for thee be spent,
world fetters all be riven,
and joy with suffering blent!
Thou gavest thyself for me;
I give myself to thee.

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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