Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1 Peter 1:
Let’s take the first chapter of 1 Peter and personalize it this morning. It’s a letter Peter wrote to encourage the believers living in his day but God preserved it in the Bible so that it might encourage us too. We may live in a different time, but as Christians, it’s truth applies to all of us who believe. If you’re not familiar with the chapter you can read it by clicking here: 1 Peter 1. Now lets pull from it the truth we can all be encouraged by.
You have been chosen by God. He has chosen you to be his servant, his child, his friend. You can enjoy the grace and peace he offers you in abundance!
In his great mercy, he has given you new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. You have hope! There is waiting for you an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you and will be given to you in the next season when earth is no more and life in heaven begins. Until that time, you are being shielded by God’s power! How cool is that!
While you wait for that day, you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. Difficult times, broken relationships, financial worries, mental illness, battles with addictions, cancer, heart attacks, coronavirus… these things come so that your faith may be proved to be genuine. Just like gold is refined by fire, so too, your faith is refined by difficult circumstances. Why? So that it 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 end result of your faith, the salvation of your soul!
You and I get to enjoy the salvation that the prophets talked about! We have been given a relationship with God that even the angels long for! Because of this, keep your mind alert and fully sober. Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus is revealed at his coming. Obey God, like a child obeys his father. Do not conform to the evil desires you had before you came to know Christ. Don’t fall back into those bad habits! But just 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 person’s work impartially, live out your time on earth as foreigners, in reverent fear of God. 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 you were living, 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. Let that sink in! He came and he suffered for you! That’s how much he loves you! 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 each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. Remember, Jesus indicated in John 13:35 that the world would recognize his followers by their love for one another. Is your love for others so strong that people notice a difference in you?
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God! You have been given a clean slate, a fresh start! While you live out your days on earth, waiting for the inheritance God has preserved for you in heaven, approach every day, every trial with faith and let your love define who you are and point others to your amazing Savior!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance! Be encouraged today!