Devotion: 1 Peter 1:14

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

When I think of children, I don’t immediately think obedient. Maybe I think of my own kids and the times they chose to be naughty (though I have wonderful kids who have been very obedient for the most part, but kids will be kids) or the years I spent teaching in public education. Kids like to push the boundaries, to test you.

Yet Peter calls us obedient children. He assumes we are being obedient to Christ, living for Him, following His ways and living set apart. I don’t know about you, but that brings conviction to me. I know that though I try to be obedient, I often am not. I get caught up in my head (recall yesterday and having to constantly take thoughts captive) and lack trust that God’s ways are best. In my head I know His ways are best, but in practice I am not always the most obedient of His children.

Peter tells us not to conform to the evil desires we had when living in ignorance. Before we walked with God we walked in the world. We had sinful practices. We led a life that was not holy, not good. We needed a Savior and we needed it fast because we were living a life of destruction.

But as believers we are to be obedient children. We are to flee the sinful ways, to turn away, to walk in faith and feel His grace in our lives. We are to be imitators of God, to love others as Christ loved the church.

Don’t look back. Take those steps in the right direction today. Be obedient and move forward as you follow in His steps. We don’t have any excuse not to obey like we did before we became believers. Choose obedience today and let Him transform your life.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to walk in old ways and succumb to temptation. Let my eyes be on You as I follow in obedience. Amen

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