Therefore, rid yourselves of …
In our post, “Checklist for Love,” we outlined some of the key points Peter has made in the first chapter of his letter. Today we begin the second chapter with, “Therefore…” As Pastor Rich loves to remind us in Bible study: “Always ask the question, ‘What is the ”therefore” there for?‘”
Peter has finished summarizing his thoughts by saying (in effect) people die, God’s Word is forever. Therefore…
Where are you going to put your faith: In the words of people, or the Word of God? Who are you going to trust? People, or God? In the phrase that the “Ghost Buster” movie made famous, “Who you gonna call?” God or man?
Therefore, since God is eternal and man’s word is little more than grass that dries up and dies in the heat of summer, trust the Word of God, “the word that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25 b)
Now when Peter says, “the word that was preached to you,” he is NOT referring to people who promote anything other than the Word that was given to the apostles and recorded in the Bible. Without that reference point, we have nothing. So since God’s Word is eternal, and the Bible is the record of God’s Word recorded exactly as He intended it (mysteries and all) therefore, rid yourselves of…
Peter is about to enumerate a list of things we should get rid of. Why? In “Two Camps,” we talk about the dangers of relying on the proclamations of the tongue for salvation. James, in his letter, makes a very strong case for the need for deeds to confirm what we say. Psalm 90, quoted in yesterday’s comments, argues that God sees our life as a whole, rather than moment by moment as we experience it.
There is a mystery here. I firmly believe that Jesus wants “all people to be saved” as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2: 3-4. I believe that salvation is as simple as believing in the Son of Man (John 3: 14-15). Yet I also firmly believe Jesus when he says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7: 21)
How are we to reconcile these views of salvation? Jesus continues by saying that those who enter the kingdom of heaven are the ones who do “… the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Do you see why I am so concerned about this topic? How we understand our relationship with Jesus is important. Do we cry out “Lord, Lord” and hope that is enough?
It is not our pastor that we have to convince, or our parents, or our friends. It doesn’t matter if we keep every law that was ever written. We do not want to get to heaven’s gate and hear the words, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7: 23b) How we live our lives inside our heads is as important as how we appear outside.
Application: Peter is about to tell us what to rid ourselves of. Let’s take a moment and prepare our hearts for his words.
Food for Thought: What does Peter mean by ”rid yourselves of?”
The word means to lay aside or put off. It is the same root word as Hebrews 12: 1: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud if witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance that race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…
And I think the Hebrews passage helps explain the meaning in 1 Peter 2: 1. We are to throw off the things Peter is about to mention as God’s word clearly tells us they will hinder our growth in Jesus
Rich,
Thank you! That is extremely helpful to me. Instead of “taking out” something that is inside of me, we are “throwing off” something that has been laid on. Like one who has been tied up throwing off their ropes. Very helpful!
Rid yourselves of the old man:
When I accepted Christ I could feel the burden of sin, the power of sin had been removed and for a period of time I felt like I was several feet off the ground. I was now a Christian, at peace with God.
In time I found out what this means. Old habits resurfaced as temptations and some made gains, other sins were revealed by God and had to be dealt with. I was now a true Christian contending, fighting for my faith. Christ has been faithful and in many, many ways the power of my flesh has been conquered. At the same time I like all Christians will battle satan until I am with Christ. Imperfect beings serving our Perfect God and fighting evil seeking the Holy.
When we turn to Christ and receive His forgiveness, we experience a heart change (Luke 9:23; Acts 1:8)
No one who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him. (1 John 3:6),
Jesus healed the lame man at the pool and saved the harlot from being stoned, He told them, “Go and sin no more,” (John 8:11,John 5:14), Jesus was not speaking about living in sinless perfection which is impossible. He was warning against choosing to return to a sinful lifestyle choices.
We are in the process of getting rid of old mindsets as we renew our minds (Romans 12:2) changing our habitual practice of certain sins in response to conviction from God. Those who know God’s love will naturally want to obey Him (John 14:15) and walk in God’s path (Luke 14:27).
Thank you, Ron!
I especially appreciate your words about choices. We are indeed offered a choice of paths every day.
👍🏻