1 Peter 1–11
Summary:
He blesses God for his manifold spiritual graces;
shewing that the salvation in Christ is no news, but a thing prophesied of old;
1:1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1:2. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1:4. to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
1:5. who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1:6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
1:7. that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1:8. whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1:9. receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1:10. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
1:11. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
Comments:
In this salutation, or greeting, that Peter writes is a snapshot of what Godly living looks like. A model that any outside observers should see in our personal lives. Does it fit you? I know I need some work.
Peter writes to a list of churches. Church, not the brick and mortar structure, but the human body of Christ that is made up of people. People who are believers and followers, and strive to abide in the morals that Christ taught. These were body parts that didn’t have the cheescake job of living in the seat of all things religious, the traditional place of the nation of God’s chosen people, Israel. They weren’t Jews, living in Jerusalem, but the gentile body parts, trying to cut out a place in an unfriendly world. Peter had good wishes for them, and to keep on recieving God’s good graces.
He touched on the promised inheritance. He touched on the assurance that God’s power will protect them. The purpose of our salvation will be revealed at that last time. When people ask the question, “Saved from what?” The answer is, ‘I don’t know, but it’s more an issue of being saved to something, than saved from something.’ We have a sealed mission, and we won’t know until we get to that last time. But can bet it’ll be something amazing.
The body of Christ that is being addressed, and our model for life is rejoicing, even though they have experienced trials. God gives “assurance”, not “insurance”. We are not set apart and heldout of the touch of bad things. Christians will go through all the regular strife that anybody else goes through. Sometimes special torments, just because we believe. God assures us that our place with him is protected. Even if we are required to give up our earthly life, we have a life in his kingdom that is protected.
Precious metals are refined. They are purified by harsh environments. Without passing through high temperature, fine porcelain, or even clay pots are useless. Intricate machines are a mix of raw materials that have been processed by heat, purifying, hacking up in pieces, pressed, squeezed, cut, stamped, and any number of harsh treatment, then assembled in a way that turns the parts into a car, a plane, a sewing machine, or whatever. Hard times will come, some worse than others. Keep the end goal in mind and draw strength on God, and his purposes to endure.
You know you are walking with God when you can still give him honor and praise through grief and hard times.
We can know him, and love God even without the need to see him. Explode with joy because we are saved, set apart. There is a bookmark in heaven, holding our place open. The old time prophets knew it. Christ made it happen. It’s a done deal. Strive on, abide in him. When others give you a hard time, pray for them, that they might come to also understand his massive amount of love as well.