1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourself to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because as it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

We are social by nature. We like to be around crowds and fit in. If you are a people watcher you will notice individuals who take on the characteristics of who they are around. If the crowd is rowdy, they will be rowdy. If the crowd is relaxed, then they are relaxed. This also applies to sin. Think of the teenager around a crowd at the party. Alcohol or drugs get passed around, do they succumb to the peer pressure or take a stand?

This happens almost daily in our world. The pressure of the crowd can be overwhelming. But Peter tells us to gird up our loins, be sober, and rest our hope in the grace shown to us. This starts with the knowledge of who Christ is. If He is your Lord, then you can rely upon Him in these moments and think of the words He spoke to us. We are holy, because He is holy. We can only say this though if we have submitted to His lordship.

Do you want to be part of the crowd taking on its characteristics? Always changing and always seeking something that leads to destruction? Or, do you want to be in the family of God having confidence that He will uphold you? There is a more peaceful way to live. Having confidence and security in this life. It all starts with what you do with Jesus!