SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 1
INTRODUCTION:
First Peter was written by Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples to the Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. He encouraged them to trust God and remember how Jesus had suffered for them. He gave comfort and hope and urged them to remain faithful to Christ. Peter’s primary ministry was to the Jews. The theme of this letter is the grace of God through the salvation revealed in Christ. He commanded them to live holy lives, to fear and trust God, to be honest and loving and to become like Christ.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1::11)
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22)
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” (1 Peter 1:25)
Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ who wrote this letter to those scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia with the blessings of grace and peace.
PRAISE TO GOD FOR A LIVING HOPE (vs. 3-12)
Praise be to the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told to you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
BE HOLY (vs. 12-25)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever,”
THOUGHTS:
Peter was also called Simon and Cephas. He was one of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. However, during Jesus’ trial, he denied Jesus 3 times but he later repented and became a great apostle.
This letter was addressed to “God’s chosen people who were living as foreigners in various parts of the world as a result of the persecution against believers in and around Jerusalem. In the introduction, he mentioned all three members of the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit. All members of the Trinity work in bringing about our salvation. The Father chose us, the Son, Jesus Christ died for us and the Holy Spirit sets us apart for God’s services.
Peter’s words offered joy and living hope in times of trouble. When we trust Christ and join God’s family, we live with the expectation of eternal life which we will live with Christ forever. God has also reserved an inheritance for Christians that will never fade or decay. As we endure trials or persecution, we have the assurance of His salvation with promised rewards.
As gold is purified and refined by fire, our faith in Christ is strengthened by trials, struggles and persecutions. Trials teach us patience and help us grow to become Christlike. Remember, when believers let their light shine into this dark world, they will face trials.
Since God is holy, those who belong to Him must also be holy. Holiness means being totally devoted and dedicated to God, setting aside for his special use and setting apart from sin. Rely on God’s power to free you from sin’s grip. The Holy Spirit will help you obey and overcome sin.
God ransomed us from sin with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice showed us His true love so that we can love others by following his example. We must imitate His sincere love by selfless and sacrificial giving.
Peter reminded the believers that everything in this life – possessions, accomplishments, fame, wealth – will eventually fade away and disappear. Only God’s word and work are permanent. We must stop pursuing the temporary and begin focusing our time, money and energy on the permanent: the Word of God and our eternal life in Christ.