1 Peter 3:8-12 (3/3)

Review:  We have seen that everyone should be respectful towards their employers, local leaders, and national leaders.  We have seen that spouses should be respectful and considerate of each other as well.

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 

10 For

“He who would love life

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,

And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;

Let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their prayers;

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

~ 1 Peter 3:8-12

Now finally, we are at how Christians should behave.  You are to be unified.  With diversity comes disunity, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Everyone has different views on the way you are supposed to cut a board or bake a cake.  However those are, in the end, not that important.  They are not salvation issues.  At least I never heard of anyone not being saved simply because their personal preferences were for an earlier dinner instead of a later one.  So please, don't be disgruntled at one another.

Instead have compassion.  Is someone dealing with stressful events in their lives?  Are they tired or depressed?  Don't tell them all the things they are doing wrong.  Instead ask how you can help them or encourage them.  That question does more good than you can know.

In the Bible, there are many types of love.  The most commonly form of love used was the one meaning lust. This verse specifically says to love as brothers.  They are close and important people in your life.  So take care of them, respect them, and don't hurt them with your words (to them or about them) or actions.  Treat them gentle with care and show them the consideration that we all wish for.

This isn't just in the New Testament.  God's words are also found in the Old Testament.  If you want to live a good life, don't say things that hurt.  Don't lie.  Simply live a good live doing good things that lead to peace.  In fact pursue peace as much as possible.  God watches and listens to those who live this way.  If you hurt others, are unforgiving, and show no concern for those around you then God will be your foe.

1 Peter 3:7 (2/3)

Review:  We saw that you should be respectful and hardworking when it comes to your employer, local leaders, and national leaders.  Then in the same way, wives were to act the same way towards their husbands as well as working to cultivate a godly character over outward appearances.  Now we will move on to the husbands.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

~ 1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, your turn.

When you interact with your wife, you should be understanding towards them.  They are working hard for you and being respectful towards you.  You need to understand how much of their energy goes towards supporting you.  So everything you say and do should reflect the honor back to them.  Show them respect and treat them respectfully.  They are not as physically strong as you so losing your temper could really hurt them.  Allowing others to hurt them when they rely on your protection is also not good.  After all, you are in this together.

Why do all this?  If just not loving her is enough, then do so for another Christian reason.  So "that your prayers may not be hindered."

We looked at in a previous post that how you judge others is how you will be judged.  If you show others mercy, then God will show you mercy.  If you are harsh, laying down the law on others around you.  Then you condemn yourself by the same law.  Also, if you refuse to forgive others, then God can't forgive you.  The bitterness or anger that exists causing you to not forgive stands between you and God by your own choice.

So how you treat your wife reflects on you with God.  Living life as good and respectfully of others as you can, including in concern with your wife, is reciprocated by God towards you.  Not out of obligation for God is obligated to no one, but because He loves you.

1 Peter 3:1-6 (1/3)

Review:  At the end of chapter two, we were looking at being submissive to those over us whether it was employer (good or bad), the local leaders, or even the leaders of the country you are in.  That you were to be nothing but respectful and hardworking so that God's glory shines through.

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,  

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.  

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—  

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

~ 1 Peter 3:1-6

So now we are going from your attitude towards employers and leaders to wives towards their husbands.  It opens with the words "likewise" which implies that the same rules for the former apply here too.  Something I think of as ironic is how husband's treat government is how wives should treat them.  How many people do you know say good things or support the government?  Should then wives act in the same manner towards them?  Yeah, we should definitely rise above that.  All our attitudes I think could improve.

Just like government or employers that you work for, even if your husband is not following God's leading you should still behave in a respectful and hardworking manner because then it is your actions that might bring them to Jesus and to living life with Him in their hearts.  Who isn't inspired when then they observe someone working on their behalf in a respectful and kind manner?

However, life should not be based on your actions alone.  How you look on the outside might be important, but it is your character and what makes you you on the inside that is more valuable to God.  I know that you wouldn't get away with not taking the time to care for yourself.  Definitely brush your hair at least (unlike a little girl I once knew) but it is what you are inside that counts most.  So focus your energies on gentleness instead of anger and calm words instead of brash outbursts.  It is surprisingly good for health too.

If you behave this way, you can have that calm assurance that Christian woman have.  There is no reason to be afraid when you are on God's side.  He will always look out for you.

1 Peter 2:18-25

From NKJV:

Submission to Masters

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22
        “Who committed no sin,
        Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This is an area I have a lot of trouble.  In fact I think that perhaps most people would admit to the same issues.  There is always someone above you that you don't exactly mesh with.  Someone that there are more misunderstandings with or personality clashes.  You don't understand or like their style; vice versa.

If you work for someone, you should be humble and follow their wishes to the letter as you know they want you to.  It doesn't matter if you like them or not.  It doesn't matter if they are easy to work for or hard to work for.  God asked this of all of us.  So it would be against our conscience to not do so.  If we follow our conscience knowing that life is more difficult because we are staying in hard circumstances, the glory goes to God and is something that can be respected.

Life working overseas in another culture has been difficult for me.  The life I live really isn't that much different.  There is the same electricity, water, plumping, transportation, etc that the United States has.  However the language, food, and culture is different.  Just interacting with others can be hard both at work and outside of the work hours.  Yet, I know that God brought me here and despite at times wishing I was at home... I have no indication that God is ready for me to leave.  So I am staying, giving me time to practice what I preach.  Such as 1 Peter 2:18, 19.  

If you mess up and are punished for it, you naturally should take it.  That is just life.  However, if you do the right thing and still are punished for it, and take it respectfully, then God is pleased because your attitude is correct.  God in Heaven suffered as those He had made and loved went through turmoil, with a third of his angels falling beyond redemption.  Jesus came to Earth for us and suffered all the brutalities that humans can force another to go through.  Why should we think we could life without suffering too?

When Jesus was treated badly, He didn't return it.  He wasn't openly angry nor passive aggressive.  He just took it.  In college I talked with a friend who practiced this.  She and her best friend had had some issues.  For several months, her best friend wasn't perhaps the easiest to be around, but she took everything her best friend dished out to her without spite or anger towards her best friend.  Today, as far as I know, they are closer than ever.

That may not always be the case, but your actions affect more people than those involved.  Something to remember.  When Jesus was beaten and nailed to a tree, if He had stood up for Himself like we are always telling our friends and those who look up to us, then all of humanity would have been doomed.  

So take into consideration that when things are tough and you cry secretly in a corner or rage to your best friend about the unfair things in life, that giving in to your negative feelings could have more far reaching consequences than you are prepared to handle.  Trust in God and let Him be the ruler of your soul.  If He impresses upon you (or your remember these words) to be humble and respectful to the one who you work for, things will work out far better for you in the end.

1 Peter 2: 13-17

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 
16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

These are tough versus for a lot of people including me.  Submit to what people tell you for not yourself, but for God.  It doesn't matter if it is the ruler of your country, of your area, or even I would wager your boss.  Yeah, you heard me right.  Your boss.  How many times do we get upset at something our boss says or does?  Often, if you have a job like mine.  

However by living your life to the best of your abilities as God wants you to (good, hardworking, honest, respectful, etc) then everything you do will bring glory to God.  This is what He wants for us.  To do things that is good for us because it praises God.  

When we do things in a way that can bring no reproach by others, then those who are ignorant or foolish will be forced to quiet.  Don't act in a way in order to get even or cause another to feel your hard feelings.  After instead knowing that everything you do is a reflection for others of who you serve - God.

This means that you should honor all people.  Give them the respect they may or may not deserve.  Treat them gently and in an encouraging manner.  Love other Christians even if you don't agree with them.  Worship God because He is God.  Honor and respect the one who rules your country.  If you are overseas like I am, respect the leader in the country you are visiting as well.

1 Peter 2:11,12

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 

12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

~ 1 Peter 2:11,12

A theme that develops in the New Testament after awhile is the idea that our lives are like a journey.  On this journey, we encounter various things along the way.  In this same idea, presented here is the advice that some of the things we are going to come across are not good for the soul.  Fleshy lusts... this would be stuff like gluttony, lust, binge drinking, etc.  The Bible says that such things are at war with our soul.  They don't just hurt us, but can kill us.  Have you ever gone to a party, saw the free food, and then ate so much that you were sick or didn't feel good?  Have you ever thought to yourself, oh just another half hour of working out will make me that much skinnier, and then worked out another 5?  That also is war on the soul.

When you act in such a way that people who don't agree with your religious, and possibly political, views talk about you... they have only good things to say.  They see how you live and what you do, and know that God is at work in your life through your actions.

1 Peter 2:9,10

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 

10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Once Jesus died for our sins and was raised back to life by God, He went back to Heaven to prepare for our homecoming someday.

After this, when this letter was written, the author said that this generation (and I am going to assume every generation afterwards) has the honor and terrible privilege of being a royal priesthood.

Clarification: Royalty is people of royal blood or status who belong to a royal family.

So we belong to a royal family.

Clarification: Priesthood means you are a priest.  A priest is an ordained minister who has the right to perform rites and administer sacraments.  At least according to google's dictionary.

So we as priests can fulfill the duties of a priest.  

I honestly have no idea what that duty is.  But it does give you something to think about.  Such as just how much responsibility actually lays on your shoulders as a Christian and how you live your life.

At staff worship this morning, we were reading a devotional about how if you love God, you will obey His commandments.  That when children love their parents, they obey them.  That proof of love is obedience.  In your life, do you purposefully do things you know the Bible says not to do?  If you love God... 

I hate the "if" that comes in there.  On facebook, people post these messages that "If you love God and are the 2% that will pass this one, then pass it on."  I don't believe that was a message of God's Love so much as a manipulative dare.  

However here, I can understand why the "if" might be used.  I should probably rephrase it though. 

When you love God, you will live your life according to how you understand God wants you to.

God loves you and out of His mercy, has given you a chance at life.  Leave deathrow and accept Him

1 Peter 2:4-8

Review:  You know how wonderful God is because you have experienced His caring and love for you in life.  That is why you should get rid of the negative traits in you and focus on His Word.  He cares for you because He created you and gave His Son to save your soul.  This was all foretold by the prophets, who studied relentlessly and learned that their words were not meant for them but for future generations as guided by the Holy Spirit.

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

'Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect,

precious,

And he who believes on Him

will by no means be put to

shame.'

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

'The stone which the builders 

rejected

Has become the chief

cornerstone.'

and

'A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense.'

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed."

` 1 Peter 2:4-8

Remember earlier we had talked about how the prophets had studied and researched trying to understand how God would come and what His purpose was?  They learned that it was for the salvation of our souls and that their words were to be for the people in the future who would be alive when Jesus came.  They also understood that it was God's Spirit that was leading them, what we now commonly call the Holy Spirit.

Here you can see references to Isaiah 28:16, Psalms 118:22, and Isaiah 8:14.  Each of them well-known to the Jewish people of that day.

The author writes to them that Jesus was chosen for a job as a priest.  Jesus was a living stone and, though rejected by men, was placed by God as the cornerstone.  It is on Jesus that everything rests.  We also are chosen to be priests under Jesus.  All of us, even those who reject Him and His gift of salvation.  Those who accept God and believes in Him have no reason to be ashamed.  Those who reject God and Jesus' actions for us find that the rock that should support them is now causing them to stumble.  Life is harder without Jesus in the end.

In a movie titled, "Knight and Day" Tom Cruise plays the part of a very awkward assassin/spy.  His character is trying to save the life of an innocent bystander, but going about it all the wrong way.  She naturally freaks out and tries to run away.  He sets out her options for her.  He explained that she could either go with him or on her own.  Then he pointed out that with him, her chances were higher and he showed this by raising his hand to the level of his shoulders.  Then he pointed out that without him, her chances were lower, and he showed this by lowering his hand to the level of his waist.  He repeated it several times while showing her chances of survival with his hand.  "With me, without me... with me, without."  It was an amusing scene but it got the point across.

We are the same way.  We can't live without Jesus.  Our only chances are with him.  The odds are more black and white than they were in the movie.  With Jesus is 100% survival.  Without Jesus is 0% survival.  With Him, without Him.  Which do you choose?

1 Peter 2:1-3

Review: In the last chapter, we read about  many things.  That though we are tested, Jesus is worth it for the salvation He brings.  We live as good of lives as we can with Jesus at the center.  He is the Word and has always existed.

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

~ 1 Peter 2:1-3

That is a lot packed into just a few lines.  So much so that it is rather jumbled by the end.  I'm currently using the NKJV.  However, for the sake of unwrapping this, I'm going to include a few other versions as well.  That last line makes it sound like the author is expressing doubt that his readers even know Jesus and that doesn't sit right with me.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  (NIV)

So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ² And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, ³ if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness. (NET)

Stop being hateful! Quit trying to fool people, and start being sincere. Don’t be jealous or say cruel things about others. ² Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. ³ You have already found out how good the Lord really is. (CEV)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, of all deceit, hypocrisy and envy, and of all the ways there are of speaking against people; ² and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance. ³ For you have tasted that Adonai is good.<sup>[a] (CJV)

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  (NRSV)</sup>

Okay, now that we have these other comparisons to go by, let's talk.

The first part is pretty obvious.  Because God has placed His Word inside of us and is the center of our lives, there are some things we need to get rid of.  With His help of course.  You see, God is Love.  God is good. The bad things in life such as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander can NOT exist with Love and goodness.  So either you have God as the center of your life, or you don't.  If you don't, you will have a void that the devil will gladly exploit.  So God is worth it.

The comparison to babies is not new.  In an earlier verse, we were compared to children.  They need guidance because otherwise their ignorance will get them hurt.  We are the same way.  Now we have that reference again.  This time it concerns what we eat.  Babies drink milk because they do not have the ability yet to handle more solid food.  We all need to start there, with God's Word.  As we can handle more, God will give us more to learn.  Someday we will live with Him and get to enjoy a feast (both metaphorically and literally.)

Finally that last part.  Some versions say we will give up bad aspects of our character and focus on His Word because we have experienced how wonderful God is.  Other versions say that if we have experienced how wonderful God is, then we will give up bad aspects of our character and focus on Him.  I'm not seeing a difference in those two message wise.  Just a matter of which part is spoken first is all.  Basically those who know God don't want to leave Him for anything else.

Before you object by pointing out those who leave the church... I want to tell you something.  People who leave the church (speaking from my life and from those of my friends) leave because their focus is on the humans in the church.  Church leaders and church members that were trusted.  Humans.  And humans mess up because humans aren't perfect.  People who leave the church didn't keep their focus on God, but on man.  So you see, if you have God in the center of your life, you will gladly work with Him to improve your character and to learn more of Him in His Word.

1 Peter 1:24, 25

Review: We know that our love for God leads to loving those around us too.  Because within us is planted the Word of God and the Word of God exists always.

"because, 

'All flesh is as grass,

And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

The grass withers,

And its flower falls away,

But the word of the Lord endures forever.'

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you."

~ 1 Peter 1:24,25

Humans are just like the plants you see around you when you go outside.  (Unless you live in a city that has no grass or trees or flowers...) Eventually humans (like those plants) are going to get old and die.  Grass turns brown.  Flower petals fall and crumble.  Humans also get old, slow down, get to the point that they use more energy sitting than they did when they were younger and running down the street.  It happens to humans, animals, plants, etc without any consideration or bias.

The only exception is the Word of the Lord.  God.  Jesus Christ.  It lasts forever.  It never gets old or tired.  It is Life.

1 Peter 1:23

Review: We have been led in our lives by the Holy Spirit because we are willing to listen.  Why?  Because we love Jesus.  With a good and innocent love, love those around you.  Take care of the others in the church and in your lives with a passion.

"having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,"

~1 Peter 1:23

If you remember back to when we were studying James, we read how we were created by the Word of God as well as saved because the Word of God was in us.  Now we see the Word of God again here.

The reason that we were able to be born again, have a life where God takes care of us and helps us to be better people so that we can someday live with Him, is because of the Word of God.  The Word of God has always been around.  You read this over and over again in the New Testament.  God and Jesus are the Word of God and eternal as nothing else can be.

That is why having your life based on the Word of God is incorruptible.  It never changes and is eternal.  Been and always will be.  It isn't like precious things the wealthy collect on earth, that can be stolen or abused.  God is beyond all that, and He can make what makes an organic body into a living being.

1 Peter 1:22

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,"

~ 1 Peter 1:22

We, by choosing to love and follow Jesus, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live our lives as Jesus would want us to.  This means loving each other and caring how each other is doing.  Not just because we should, but with an intense desire to truly see those around you succeed and do well.

By following the Holy Spirit's leading, our souls will be purified.  I'm honestly not sure what to think about that.  I know that Jesus cleansed us of our sin when we ask for forgiveness.  So it is not just a matter of asking for forgiveness but living as God wants us to live too.  We are human and not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.  However I am sure that God will gladly keep taking us back if we are sincere in our love for Him.  Then the Holy Spirit can work more wondrously in our lives.

1 Peter 1:20,21

Review: That last three versus explained that we can always call on God to help us because He is fair and will not place one person above another.  He can't be bribed.  Jesus, His Son, was the only One who was perfect and had no problems.  So He was the only one (though maybe the Father could have?) who could take our place on death row and die for our mistakes.

"He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

~1 Peter 1:20,21

Before God created the Earth.  Before God created humans and all the pretty plants and animals.  Before this place existed, God set up a plan in case this world should become corrupted.  It was decided then that God's Son would have the unique purpose of dying in our place.  Once this was decided, then God created Earth and all that was and is in it.

However, despite having a plan in place, that plan wasn't really shown to us until Jesus came.  Don't get me wrong, God sees far further than we do.  He set many things in motion so that when the time was right, Jesus would come and save us.  However, it wasn't until Jesus came that we started to really have an idea of what Jesus saving us was going to entail.  I think even to this day, we don't understand.

God did all this for you.  God set it up for Jesus to take your place before He created the Earth.  God set it up for Jesus to take your place before He created the first humans.  God protected and prepared generations in a family so that Jesus would be born fulfilling all the prophecies that He did... for you.  Are you listening to me?  God wants you with Him, alive and well.

All you have to do is believe in God.  Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.  Believe that God gave Jesus glory.  Believe that God did all that for you.  So that you place your faith and hope in God and God alone.  That is all.  So simple, but for some reason so hard to understand.  God loves you!  Truly.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (Part 3/3)

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

~1 Peter 1:17-19

Once upon a time... all good stories (even fictional ones) start this way... there was a kingdom.  This kingdom was known for it's pretty white walls and kind, smiling people.  The kingdom was built on the foundations of love and perfection.  It was an unwritten rule that life here be based on love and perfection.   No one thought about it because everyone loved each other and was perfect.

Then one day, as happens in all good stories, disaster struck.  The people of the kingdom found that they could not help harboring thoughts that were not completely loving.  They found that they could not live a perfect live because they kept messing up.

News of this reached the royal family.  The king and his Son talked it over.  They were good royalty and had planned for anything that might happen in their kingdom.  They knew the law if people were to not live as loving and perfect subjects.  Death.  The idea that even one of their subjects would have to die though hurt them deeply.

Their main hall was filled with people with requests.  A mother begged to take her life in place of her child, but she was already on death row herself.  A friend begged to take the place of his best friend, but he was already on death row himself.  The king was very sad, but lifted his hands for silence.  He explained that if you were on deathrow, then you couldn't take another's place.  Because you had messed up.

Then His Son stepped forward.  He was still loving and perfect, as the royal family had always been.  He and His Father exchanged a sad look, then the Son walked forward and stood before the executioner in the peoples' place.  

That might be a fictional story, but it carries the same message.  Thankfully, Jesus rose back to life.  The reason why He could take our place is because he didn't have anything wrong with Him.  In ancient times, the Israelites (and then later the Jews) sacrificed the most perfect lamb they could find.  It couldn't have a broken leg or a cold.  It had to be the strongest, healthiest lamb.

My grandpa used to have sheep.  They seemed to always be born during the coldest nights.  I was devastated the first time one was brought in to be warmed up only to die a few hours later.  Soon I learned that the likely hood of a lamb living once it was so cold inside was very little.  Lambs were fragile creatures.

To sacrifice your best lamb was a huge sacrifice on the parts of the ancient people.  It was a loss to their flocks.  Yet they did so gladly because it was a constant reminder that only the best could save them.  And when Jesus, God's Son came and died, who could argue that God's Son wasn't the best?  He was perfect with no mistakes on His record.  Only the divine was not on deathrow, so only a divine being could take our place.  That left only God and His Son.  His Son chose the pain and despair of death so that we have that chance to live with Him.  

Because only He is "without blemish". 

Since only Jesus could save us, only He could grant us hesed.  And He did.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (Part 2/3)

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

~1 Peter 1:17-19

We respect and honor God because He did something that no one else could do.  Something so wonderful and magnificent that we are over-awed by Him.  Yes He spoke and things were created in nano seconds.  Yes, He can make even His enemies tremble and fall down with His very presence.  But there is something more that we, as believers in Him, focus on more.  We, the human race condemned to death, were granted hesed by the only One who could offer that mercy and gift.  We were pulled off death row.  Not with things like gold or silver.  Not with things like stocks or oilfields.  Not with land or services.  We were pulled off deathrow by someone else taking our place and letting His body bleed in our place.  Not another human, for another human faced the same punishment.  Instead, we were pulled off deathrow because God came and took our place.  He stood where we should be and let the metaphorical guns be leveled at Him instead, a fate that no one could change for us but Him.  That is what makes it hesed.  We were saved by the only One who could save us, and He did.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (Part 1/3)

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

~1 Peter 1:17-19

Something I am super thankful for is that I serve a fair and just God.  He can't be bribed nor does He play favorites.  I don't have to worry that He will ignore me in favor of someone else, even if I am less deserving than others.  He will always be there for me.  He will always be there for you too.

However, God is a Judge and it is His right and terrible privilege to fill that role.  Thankfully, He strives to save each one of us.  To show that we chose Him in our hearts.

Still, as Judge, He has to show in court that we did choose Him or else He can't help us.  Those who rejected God's gift of eternal life show this by how they live their lives.  I'm not saying that they lived perfect or imperfect lives.  We are human in a sinful world.  We are going to mess up.  It is what we do when we mess up, our actions, that show which side we are on.  David in the Bible did all kinds of things.  He killed one of his closest friends after all over a woman.  Still, David ran back to God time and time again.  How do you live your life?  Do you run back to God when you mess up or do you try to justify/reason away your actions?  Or perhaps you do what Judas did, realize you messed up and then don't turn to God.

While living on earth, if you love God then you will live your daily life as His child.  People should see Him in you.  While I was student teaching, I was really tired and worn out.  One day while planning a lesson, I misread the textbook pretty badly.  So the lesson I taught was not even close to accurate and my students were very confused.  The next class period, I had figured out where I had gone wrong.  I had several choices.  As the teacher, I could always ignore what happened and no one would say anything about it.  However I had chosen to own up to my mistake and apologize to the class.  What made following through on this harder was my supervising professor decided to visit that day.  I chose to, despite his presence, apologize.  I thought he would dock me for my mistake and was prepared to accept it.  I received bonus points for it instead and he commented on the evaluation sheet that this was the Christian attitude he was looking for in his student teachers.

So in your daily life, you do your best.  When you mess up, own up to it and accept what comes from others when you do.  You will experience condemnation, anger, and frustration.  Just take it.  It will pass.  You will also experience small blessings such as I did with my supervising professor.  Take it as encouragement to not give up and keep going.

Now you don't have to be afraid of God in the sense of being panicked and fearful that you are going to get betrayed or hurt in some horrible way.  At the end of verse 17, the word "fear" can be translated also as "reverance," "awe," and "respect."  This is a positive fear.

For example, when I was a little girl, I really looked up to my uncles.  I still do.  But as a child, I really, really looked up to them in that awe-inspired way.  There was nothing they couldn't do.  My eldest uncle was super smart and seemed to always know what was happening around the farm before anyone else did.  I thought he had telepathic abilities because when someone came, he knew before anyone else.  My youngest uncle could beat anyone at games.  I remember dreaming of the day I was an adult and could take him on in Othello or Sorry.  The third uncle is a genius at creating things.  Watching him set up a potato canon one evening and shooting with perfect aim at the grain bins across the road filled me with pride that I was related to him.  I admired them and couldn't imagine having more wonderful uncles than them.  Yet it was a very respectful admiration.  I didn't go and try to get them form mud pies with me after a rain.  I respected them enough to give them a sort of space.  It is the reason we don't treat God, the Bible, or the Church casually.  We respect them.

1 Peter 1:15, 16

Review: In the previous two verses we saw that we are supposed to stay focused on the One important person in our lives, Jesus.  Just as children are ignorant and need guidance in order to live healthy lives instead of eating too many sweets and playing only on their xbox, so we need to not allow worldly lusts pull us from what is truly important in life.

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"

"because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"

1 Peter 1:15, 16

The simple definition of holy is dedicated to a religious purpose.

So the One who wants you is dedicated to a religious purpose, therefore however you behave should reflect the attitude and character of someone who is holy.  We represent the One who has claimed us.  Our actions should reflect Him and His kindness.  This is not just written in the New Testament but was also written in the Old Testament in Leviticus 11:44,45, Leviticus 19:2, and Leviticus 20:7.

When I had moved out of elementary school and was about to start middle school, I found myself at summer camp.  It was a Christian camp and the place I had chosen to be baptized.  The day of the baptism came.  I was baptized by my pastor right before supper.  Going to line call afterwards so that we could go inside and eat, I stood looking at the sunlight and trees.  I was a young enough of a child to be innocent in many things but old enough to know when something big had happened.  I remember looking across at those trees with filtering sunlight and thinking how much more clear and beautiful they were.  I looked around at the camp I had known my whole life with new eyes, feeling lighter of heart and happier.  With that sense of peace was also an incredible purpose of urgency.  That urgency has been with me every time I have my devotions or spend time praying.  Though not as strong as those first few weeks, it is still there.  I'm claimed by God and though I don't know what I should be doing for Him, I do know how I am supposed to live my life and the character I should have.  So I will do my best for Him.

1 Peter 1:14

Review:  We just read in the post before that we are to "get in the zone" by making our central goal in life our relationship with Jesus.  Just like someone who is madly in love with another.  This means not letting other things in this world get between Him and us.

"as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;"

~ 1 Peter 1:14

When children are growing up, the parents and community work together to help them learn.  This is because they lack the experience and skills needed to live well on their own.  It is easy to not just get hurt, but hurt very badly.  Children are ignorant.

When my twin brother and I were young, I was cautioned about crossing roads by myself.  Particularly in Joplin, MO where at the time we lived near a large and busy street.  We always crossed that road with our mother and never without her.  I didn't want to even try to go without her because there were so many fast cars.

After living there for a few months, we learned that there were large breaks between traffic.  So when mom had to stay at a doctor or dentist office for a long time one day, we were told we could go home by ourselves just that once.  We reached the place where we were to cross the street, he and I held hands, and waited for the traffic to disappear.  But for the longest time, break after break when we could have gone, we didn't cross.  We didn't want to get hurt.  Still we were old enough now to be careful and eventually we did.

Christians are similar to children.  Thrust into a world full of danger, our only hope to not get ran into by a large truck of bad things is to stay with Jesus.  But things around us might distract us and cause us to wonder away.  Ignorance is not bliss.  We have to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to guide us as we learn and grow.

1 Peter 1:13

Review: In the last few versus, we saw that the prophets were studying to learn when and how Jesus would come to save our souls.  They realized that their knowledge was not for themselves or their time period in history, but for future generations.  So when Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again for us during the Gospels, those who witnessed it explained how Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophets.

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

~ 1 Peter 1:13

This is saying pretty clearly to zip up the pants (or tie up your shoes) of your mind.  Don't let things outside that don't belong enter.  You have to be clear-headed and able to reason or think.  This is important.  Why do you think there is laws against drunk driving?  It doesn't work to dump a lot of alcohol into a person and expect them to be as reliable as someone who only had water.

Quick Note: Revelation can be defined as "a surprise or previously unknown fact, esp. one made in a dramatic way."  

So Jesus Christ can be revelation.  Jesus is a surprise that became known in a dramatic way.

I see two layers of an onion here and I don't know which one is the top layer and which one is underneath it, so I will lay both before you.

The first is this:  When we first learn about Jesus, we get that grace that only He can bring us.

The second is:  When Jesus returns again, that hope that we have had is fulfilled because His grace is what saved us and is allowing us to live in such holy presence.

I'm horrible with words and not sure I was able to get across there what I was trying to.  However, those are my thoughts.  Feel free to share your own.

PS - I do allow comments to be posted in reply to my posts.  However all spam is deleted, especially those linking to other websites or advertising services/items.

1 Peter 1:12

Review: the prophets from the Old Testament were searching carefully for what time and manner Jesus would come in order to save our souls.

"To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent heaven - things which angels desire to look into."

~1 Peter 1:12

The prophets learned in their studies and from God that they were not writing down their thoughts for themselves or their generation.  That everything they were learning was for in the future.  The things they wrote then happened exactly as they wrote it when Jesus came.  Then those who preached the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit confirmed that everything pertaining to Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament.

But that isn't the best part.  What we learn about Jesus and the salvation of our souls is a topic that greatly interests the angels.  This privilege that we have to study God's word is something they "desire to look into."

Yet how many times do we get home from work and sit down in front of the TV or computer.  Pull out a novel or another hobby instead of doing that which is in our power and ability to do that angels are envious of.  I am greatly guilty of this.

I also have a question, why are angels so desirous to look into the message of the gospels?  Isn't their questions answered pertaining to Jesus' love for humanity and His desire to save every soul He can?  Something that leaves me miffed I am afraid.

1 Peter 1:11

I really like what this text says.  It goes past the previous text, which was that the prophets were researching and studying constantly to learn of God's plan of salvation.  It explains that the prophets, though they were trying to understand what would happen when Jesus came.  The Spirit of Christ was inside of them, guiding them so that they would know the suffering as well as the glorious things that were to come when Jesus stepped onto this Earth.  They strove to understand the promptings of the Spirit to also know when He would come.

Who says God does not care?  I think He cares very much.  To have worked hard for years through various prophets to try to prepare humanity for His entrance to the world stage.  That is consideration that only a good and caring person would have for others.  That my God has for you.  He loves you.  Don't doubt that.  Ever.