“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.”
Peter's words summon me to spiritual discipline. I am to prepare my mind for holy action and to live soberly. Yet it is clear that spiritual activity is not meant to assure myself that I am "good enough to get in." Facing death and judgment, Peter insists that my hope cannot rest in my own faithfulness, but only in the "grace that will be brought to you." The Spirit presents this reality, that full assurance comes only as I set my hope fully on this promise that when Christ is finally revealed, he comes bearing grace to believers. Such assurance does not undermine holy action, but in reality undergirds and inspires it. It frees me to serve God from love and out of respect for my Redeemer.