Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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…
Continue reading “1 Peter 2:1 (a) — Inside Outside”
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
When Peter addresses his letter to “the elect” (verse 1) who is he writing to? This question speaks to one of the hidden assumptions that we all make when we think or talk about the Bible.
Generally speaking, people fall into one of two camps. In the first camp, let’s call it the world view camp, people believe (i.e. – assume) that the Bible was written by people about God. In the second camp, we can call this God’s view, people believe that the Bible is written by God through people. There is a radical difference between these two points of view.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:23 — Two Camps”
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Who do you place your hope in? Jesus Christ or God the Father?
It is an interesting question, isn’t it? Is there a difference? Well, yes. Jesus prayed to his Father in heaven. On occasion, God spoke to his Son. Then, of course, Jesus taught his disciples that, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9 b)
Peter provides us with a very interesting logical construct.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:21 — Logic”
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
It is hard to know how to approach the text here. We just blasted through two whole verses with a story about a shepherd who was kidnapped to be a slave four millennia ago. We could have taken a week or more to parse those same two verses. Today’s passage is similar. Today’s verse hangs in the sky as if it were a neon sign. Each word is like a beacon of light that illuminates dozens if not hundreds of passages throughout Scripture.
The “He” Peter refers to is Jesus, of course. Peter referred to the “blood of Christ” in the prior verse.
Jesus, he says, was, “…chosen…”
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:20 — Let’s Agree”
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
The question today is what does Peter mean when he writes, “…a Father who judges each person’s work impartially…?”
Wait a minute…
Doesn’t Peter know about grace? Doesn’t he understand that if we believe in Jesus we get a pass on judgment? How can he say that God is judging our “work?” What is going on here?
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:17 — Boxes”
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.”
The word, “holy” suggests that something or someone is pure, sinless, upright, and set apart for God. God, Himself is the definition of holy. As I understand Peter he is saying that we who are called by God should be like God. Not in the things that are unique to God, his power, omniscience, and authority, etc., but in his character. God is humble and loving, patient, kind, and long-suffering. Those are the things we can emulate.
Discerning the difference between what is unique to God and what he can share with us is important. We need to understand that He is God and we are not. It is the lack of discernment in this area that led Lucifer to presume he could be like God. I think we are in danger of falling into the same trap when we presume upon God’s authority.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:15-16 — Picking Nits”
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
What am I about to write might be considered heresy by some. If any of you reading this are in that camp, please consider that as a child of God, I may still be living in ignorance. My life is a journey and for these last many years my journey has been all about getting to know God better. If what I write does not fit with what you believe, please feel free to gently correct me in the comments.
Peter presumes that as believers we are “obedient children.” How I wish that this were true! I see many who walk in faith moving from ignorance to knowledge of God’s ways. To some extent, that is all we can hope for in this life. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12;
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:14 — Heresy?”
… set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Peter continues. He advises us to keep our minds alert and sober. Why? He tells us to set our hope on something that will be given us when Jesus comes. What? What will be “brought to [us]” when Jesus is revealed?
Honestly, this sentence by Peter feels a bit like a flash quiz. In school, there were the tests that you knew were coming; midterms and finals. Those you could plan for. The ones that everyone seemed to hate were those quizzes.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:13 (b) — The Quiz”
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober…
Years ago back in the late 1970s, I drove a tour bus in Alaska. Not only did I drive the bus, but thanks to the wonders of a microphone mounted on a flex arm I was also the tour guide. Having driven over one hundred thousand miles of Alaskan highways and byways, I feel fairly well qualified to state that a trip through the barren wastelands of Alaska and the Yukon is much more entertaining with a tour guide than it is driving-driving-driving until you get to the next place on the map.
A good tour guide knows a lot about his or her territory. A tour guide has to know where they are at any given time. That kind of goes without saying.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:13 (a) — Tour Guide”
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
What sets a prophet apart is being called by God to be a messenger of God’s Word. I am capitalizing “Word” because these messages are holy. Mundane or spectacular, the Word from God is special. But never forget, prophets are people, too. They are not Superman. They have feelings like you and me.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:12 (a) — Whom do you serve?”