1 Peter: Backing Up Prayer in Lifestyle.

1 Peter 4:7: "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

This verse, although abstracted from an exhortation for believers to become armed and ready to suffer as Christ has suffered, is a powerful and profound teaching for Christians.  The essence of Peter's instruction is that Christians have an obligation to live with a certain conduct of life, not only because it is befitting of Christ but more so because it is our lifestyle which protects and confirms the validity of our prayers.

To be sure, there is a depth to what Peter is saying but, at its heart in its context, Peter is charging believers to back up their beliefs and to substantiate their faith with the very way that believers live.  Clearly, simple belief is not so simple.

Faith in Christ demands that we never cease to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and the working of the Holy Word in our lives.  We should not take lightly the investment of Christ's riches that have been deposited within us.  Instead, we should always strive on towards greater depths of commitment and sanctification in Christ.  And in doing so, we protect our prayers from the defilement of debauchery and sin.