Day #353
Scripture Reading: I Peter 1 - 3 …
In his first letter "to God's elect,
strangers in the world" (1:1), Peter begins by reminding them who they
are and why God has chosen THEM, and then proceeds to explain how living life
as one who has been "redeemed" looks different than
living for yourself.
In Chapter 1, verses 3-10, Peter explains the place
of trials in the life of believers by putting them in the context of what we
know we HAVE that can't be lost: "new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1:3).
We have an inheritance in heaven and we are being shielded by God's power
as we await the end of the age. He states boldly, "In this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief
in all kinds of trials" (1:6). God
had given to Peter and other believers an understanding that through suffering
and trials He was refining them and using their testimony to bring glory to
Himself. Peter assures his readers that they will receive the goal of
their faith: the salvation of their souls (1:9).
Those who have gone before us looked forward to the
day when God would fulfill His promises, even as we look forward to the return
of Jesus Christ. Peter says, "even angels long to look into these
things” (1:12). Spiritual matters are of FIRST importance and those
who are chosen by God and born again by His Spirit understand this truth.
"THEREFORE …" (1:13) … Truth always calls for
a response. Whenever you and I read truth in God's Word we should always
ask ourselves, "So what? What does this truth have to do with me
and what difference does it make in my life?"
In the remainder of Chapter 1, Peter reminds the
believers that they have been called to "be holy" because
God is holy (1:16). He reminds them that they were redeemed "with
the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1:18).
Having been born again through the living Word of God, he calls them and
us to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW UP in
your salvation!" (2:2). Then he gives this beautiful picture of
the true Church, made up of those who are born again by the Spirit:
"As you come to Him, the living Stone -
rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him - you also, like living
stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging
to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
into His wonderful light!!" (I Peter 2:4-5, 9).
There's an identity that transforms you and your life. We who
believe have been made alive by the Spirit of God so that we will LIVE as God's
people, as light in the world.
Peter goes on to call believers to a way of life
that is counter-cultural, that is focused on others instead of ourselves and
that displays our trust in the God who saved us. He begins with
submission to those in authority over us. Many Christians spend a significant
amount of time demanding their "rights," but Peter writes, "It
is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up
for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone
..." (2:15-17). Even if you have to suffer for doing good,
he says "this is commendable before God. To this you were called,
because Christ suffered for YOU, leaving you an example, that you should follow
in His steps" (2:20-21).
Everything we are called to do as believers is
based on our relationship with Christ and His work on the cross. When
called to suffer for doing good, Peter points us to Jesus: "He
Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and
live for righteousness; by HIS wounds you have been healed, but now you have
returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (2:24-25).
Submitting to authority is really submitting to Christ! It is
knowing that He paid your debt and set you free so that you could now live with
hope and peace in this world, no matter what your circumstances, knowing that
you have eternal life!!
In his instructions to husbands and wives Peter
says much the same thing Paul does in Ephesians 5: mutual submission,
mutual respect, mutual caring for one another flows from submission to Christ.
It is only when you know that you are here to live for God that you are
willing and able to accept your role in your family, in the church and in the
world. We are here FOR GOD!! So he concludes: "Live
in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult, but with blessing, because
to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" (3:8-9).
Here is the REAL "good life" ... the life that has
the blessing of God.
The rest of the chapter calls us to follow Jesus'
example of being willing to suffer for doing good by setting our hearts on Him
and seeking to be His witnesses: "But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that you have. ... It is better, if it is
God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (3:15,17). It takes the knowledge of God's love in
Christ and the power of His Spirit to give you strength and courage to endure,
to persevere, to submit, to testify to the hope that is within you through
faith in Jesus Christ.
Are you one of God's elect ... chosen, redeemed,
called and empowered to be a "living stone," a part of the
Body of Christ who will receive Jesus from heaven when He returns?
Whatever trials or suffering may come into your life, remember that you
have inheritance in heaven that can never perish, spoil or fade away. Be
ready to share the reason for the hope you have, live your life as a servant of
God, and discover life as a living stone, chosen by God ... forever!
"My Father and my God, only in knowing You do
I find hope and strength to live in this world, to endure trials and sufferings
as part of Your plan to make me more like Jesus. I thank You for Your
promises and for Your love for me and I submit to You, my God. Help me to
live in obedience to You in all things and to pursue righteousness in order to
glorify You! In Jesus' name, Amen"
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