Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable to God 1 Peter 2:5

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable To God (2:5)

An important principle taught in the New Testament is that of "The Priesthood Of All Believers." It is true that under the Law of Moses there was a distinction made between priests and the common people. Even today, many religions professing to be "Christian" have developed a clergy-laity distinction. But the New Testament teaches otherwise - Re 1:5-6 “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”; 1 Pe 2:9 “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”. The fact is, in Christ we are ALL "clergy". I used to say that we had no clergy in the church, but in reality we have no "laity". Does this mean we are all free to use "clergy-parking"? I'll let you discuss that with the security guards at the hospitals!

As "a royal priesthood", our responsibilities are described in 1 Pe 2:5 “ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” "to offer up spiritual sacrifices". "sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ". My goal in this lesson is to make sure that we understand our duties as "a holy priesthood", and to encourage us to carry them out faithfully.

Let's take a closer look at the idea of "spiritual sacrifices" noting the types of sacrifices to be offered by Christians. We are to offer our bodies, as "living sacrifices" - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” A lifestyle characterized by sacrificial love - Ep 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.” Praise and thanksgiving, which we do in prayer and song - He 13:15 “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.”

Doing good and sharing with others - He 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”; Ph 4:15-18 “And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Even in the way we die for the Lord! - Ph 1:20 “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.”; 2:17 “Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:”; 2 Ti 4:6 “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.”

Let's examine the purpose of these sacrifices. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered for one of two reasons: for those OUT of fellowship with God, to restore them back to the Lord and for those IN fellowship with God, to express thanksgiving, praise, love and devotion. But in the New Testament only Jesus can provide the sacrifice needed to restore us back to God - He 10:11-18 “And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said, This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”Therefore, it should be clearly understood that our sacrifices are not to "remove sin" or in any other way to try to "earn our way" into heaven! But rather, to express thanksgiving and praise, love and devotion, for the goodness and mercy God has shown to us! Such is the nature of the "spiritual sacrifices" we offer to God. But as our text says, they must be "acceptable to God".

We can learn some valuable lessons from the Book of Malachi about what constitutes "acceptable sacrifices". It must be the best we have to offer - Mal 1:6-8 “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible. And when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts.” we despise the Name of God by offering "defiled food"(sacrifices). Would we render the same kind of service to our employers, etc.? If not, God would rather someone "shut the doors"or let someone else serve Him - Mal 1:9-11“And now, I pray you, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts. Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts.”

It must be offered with sincerity and zeal- Mal 1:12-13 “But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even its food, is contemptible. Ye say also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith Jehovah of hosts; and ye have brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye bring the offering: should I accept this at your hand? saith Jehovah.” of zeal is evidence of lack of sincerity! Lack of both results in offering "blemished sacrifices", which brings a curse from Him who deserves proper reverence - Mal 1:14-2:9“But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles. And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Jehovah of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and ye shall be taken away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant may be with Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared me, and stood in awe of my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts. But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have had respect of persons in the law”

How does this apply to our spiritual sacrifices like singing praises; like doing good to others? It must be offered in conjunction with righteous living - Mal 2:13-16 “And this again ye do: ye cover the altar of Jehovah with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, neither receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? And wherefore one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith Jehovah of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” The priests of Malachi's day had been quick to divorce their wives. Even Peter taught that our treatment of wives would have a bearing on the effectiveness of our prayers - 1 Pe 3:7 “Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.” This can be applied to many other things as well - Ps 41:1-3 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil. Jehovah will preserve him, and keep him alive, And he shall be blessed upon the earth; And deliver not thou him unto the will of his enemies. Jehovah will support him upon the couch of languishing: Thou makest all his bed in his sickness.”

Some in Malachi's day did not think it of any value to serve the Lord faithfully - Mal 3:13-15 “Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.” But others heeded his words, and it is touching to read what was said about them - Mal 3:16-18 “Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Shall we be among those who serve God? May we never forget that in the sight of God we are to be "a royal priesthood", called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ"!

May God help us to truly be one of His "jewels"!

Jesus: Cornerstone, or Stumblingstone

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Jesus: Cornerstone, Or Stumblingstone? (2:4-10)

When the infant Jesus was being presented to the Lord at the temple, an interesting statement was made concerning Him by Simeon: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel..." (Lk 2:34). In other words, Jesus was destined to have different effects on different people.... To some, He would be the cause of their rising. For others, He would be their down fall. In 1 Peter 2:4-10, the apostle Peter expands upon this same theme... To some people, Jesus serves as a "cornerstone". To others, He is a "stumblingstone".

What's the difference? Well to those who believe, Jesus is a "cornerstone". He is a living stone according to verse 4, “unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,”. Which was rejected by men. As stated by John in Jn 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.” Instead, they crucified Him. And yet, He was chosen by God, considered to be precious as foretold in Ps 118:22, God has taken that which was rejected by men and made it the "cornerstone".

The cornerstone of what? The "cornerstone" of a great spiritual house or temple, (5-6) “ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.” Upon which we are being built. The same thought or illustration is used by the apostle Paul - 1 Co 3:9-11 “For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon.”, 16-17 “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.”; Ep 2:19-22 “So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;”

As this spiritual house built upon Christ, we fulfill certain responsibilities. We serve as a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God, for example:
1) Our bodies - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
2) Our praise - He 13:15 “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.”
3) Our doing good and sharing - He 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
4) Even our deaths - 2 Ti 4:6-8 “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.”

We therefore serve as God's special people (9-10) “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
We are a great spiritual house or temple with a special task of proclaiming the praises of God for by His grace we have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light; we who were not a people, are now the people of God; we have obtained mercy!

Jesus is also the rock upon which we as individuals build our lives - MT 7:24-27 “Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof” By following His teachings, we are able to establish our lives on solid ground and this enables us to withstand the "storms" of life. So in more ways than one, Jesus is truly a "cornerstone" to those who believe in Him and follow Him.

But what about those who do not believe in Jesus, who do not make Him the "cornerstone" of their lives? To those who do not believe, Jesus is a "stumblingstone". There is no other alternative, (7-8). “For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Either Jesus is the cornerstone upon which we are being built as stones in His temple (the church). Upon which we are building our lives by following His teaching. Or He will be the "stumblingstone" over which we will meet our doom!

That Jesus would be a stumblingstone to some was foretold by Isaiah, who Peter quotes - Isa 8:13-15 “Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble thereon, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” We saw that Simeon also foresaw the same thing when Jesus was presented in the temple as a newborn - Lk 2:34 “and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;” Even Jesus saw Himself as this stumblingstone - Mt 21:42-44 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.”

Sadly, Jesus became a stumblingstone to Israel. Ro 9:30-33 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.”; 1 Co 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;”. Jesus was a stumbling block to many of the Jews because they thought that they could attain righteousness by keeping the Law. They could not accept the need for a suffering Messiah to atone for their sins!

In a similar way, Jesus is a stmblingstone for many people today. Pride prevents them from accepting Jesus on His terms! They think that they can please God and go to heaven on the basis of their good deeds. Therefore, they are unwilling to confess their sinfulness, and their need for Jesus Christ; to turn their lives over to Jesus, and to do His Will

The sad part is this. To those who stumble by being disobedient, doom awaits! They become angry, arrogant, and combative when their sinfulness is made known to them. For such doom has been appointed by God - 1 Pe 2:8 “and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Such is logically necessary, for without Christ we will die in our own sins - Jn 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Righteous punishment can only follow - Re 20:11-15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.”

We often sing "Jesus, Rock of Ages," for truly Jesus is like a rock. But what kind of rock is He to us? If we are willing to believe and obey Jesus, He can be the CORNERSTONE.... Upon which we can be added as part of His church, the spiritual temple. Upon which we can build our lives so as to have a full and meaningful life. But if we disbelieve and are disobedient. then by necessity Jesus will be our STUMBLINGSTONE.... Over which we will fall. Under which we will be broken and be ground to powder. There is no middle ground. What will Jesus be for you? Are you obedient to His Word?

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Loving One Another Fervently (1:22)

In our last study, we saw that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means:
1.) Not to conform ourselves to the former lusts - 1 Pe 1:14
2.) To be holy in all our conduct - 1 Pe 1:15-16
3.) To conduct ourselves in fear - 1 Pe 1:17-21
Another responsibility we have as obedient children is found in verse 22...“Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:”. Simply stated, we are to "love one another fervently". A closer look at verse 22 reveals:
1) What "fervent love" is
2) And how it is possible for Christians to "love one another fervently"

But before we take that closer look, consider this question. Why is "fervent love" important? Why, because it is a demonstration of discipleship. While Judas had gone to betray Him, Jesus gave a new commandment - Jn 13:33-35 “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It is a commandment to love one another, even as Jesus loved us. The reason for such a commandment: to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! Where there is no "Christ-like love", our actions betray our words. We may profess to be Christ's disciples, but failure to have a fervent love like Christ had for us will cause the world to doubt our discipleship!

Second, it is a demonstration of spiritual life. "Love of the brethren" is an indication that we have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life - 1 Jn 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.” Failure to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, without any excuse, is an indication that we are still spiritually dead! We will not be able to stand before God in the judgment and offer up any excuse for failure to follw His command "that ye love one another; even as I have loved you,"

Thirdly, it demonstrates our relationship to God. God is love, and those who truly love have been born of God - 1 Jn 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.” Failure to love leaves the impression that we have not been born again and that we do not truly know God! - 1 Jn 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

Certainly these three reasons should convince us that "loving one another fervently" is important. But what qualifies as a "fervent love"? What kind of love will demonstrate our discipleship, our spiritual life, our relationship with God? What is "fervent love"? Clearly it is "fervent"! The same word is used in reference to prayer in Ac 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.” There it is translated "constant" or "earnest". Just as the disciples were constantly praying for the release of Peter, so our love for one another is to be "unceasing". Therefore, only that love which is constant and earnest can qualify as "fervent love".

From Barnes NT Notes:
"See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." "The phrase "with a pure heart fervently," means
(1.) that it should be genuine love, proceeding from a heart in which there is no guile or hypocrisy;
(2.) that it should be intense affection, (Greek;) not cold and formal, but ardent and strong. If there is any reason why we should love true Christians at all, there is the same reason why our attachment to them should be intense. This verse establishes the following points:
(1.) That truth was at the foundation of their piety. They had none of which this was not the proper basis; and in which the foundation was not as broad as the superstructure. There is no religion in the world which is not the fair development of truth; which the truth is not fitted to produce.
(2.) They became Christians as the result of obeying the truth; or by yielding to its fair influence on the soul. Their own minds complied with its claims; their own hearts yielded; there was the exercise of their own volitions. This expresses a doctrine of great importance.
(a.) There is always the exercise of the powers of the mind in true religion; always a yielding to truth; always a voluntary reception of it into the soul.
(b.) Religion is always of the nature of obedience. It consists in yielding to what is true and right; in laying aside the feelings of opposition, and in allowing the mind to follow where truth and duty lead.
(c.) This would always take place when the truth is presented to the mind, if there were no voluntary resistance. If all men were ready to yield to the truth, they would become Christians. The only reason why all men do not love and serve God, is that they refuse to yield to what they know to be true and right.
(3.) The agency by which this was accomplished was that of the Holy Ghost. Truth is adapted in itself to a certain end or result, as seed is adapted to produce a harvest. But it will no more of itself produce its appropriate effects on the soul, than seed will produce a harvest without rains, and dews, and suns. In all cases, therefore, the proper effect of truth on the soul is to be traced to the influence of the Holy Spirit, as the germination of the seed in the earth is to the foreign cause that acts on it. No man was ever converted by the mere effect of truth without the agency of the Holy Ghost, any more than seed germinates when laid on a hard rock.
(4.) The effect of this influence of the Holy Spirit in applying the truth is to produce love to all who are Christians. Love to Christian brethren springs up in the soul of every one who is truly converted: and this love is just as certain evidence that the seed of truth has germinated in the soul, as the green and delicate blade that peeps up through the earth is evidence that the seed sown has been quickened into life. We may learn hence,
(a.) that truth is of inestimable value. It is as valuable as religion itself, for all the religion in the world is the result of it.
(b.) Error and falsehood are mischievous and evil in the same degree. There is no true religion which is the fair result of error; and all the pretended religion that is sustained by error is worthless.
(c.) If a system of religion, or a religious measure or doctrine, cannot be defended by truth, it should be at once abandoned. Comp. See Barnes "Job 13:7".
(d.) We should avoid the places where error is taught. Pr 19:27, "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."
(e.) We should place ourselves under the teachings of truth, for there is truth enough in the world to occupy all our time and attention; and it is only by truth that our minds can be benefited."

Love must also be "sincere". Translated "unfeigned" in some versions. The Greek word literally means "not hypocritical". This makes it clear that "fervent love" is not to be some kind of show, but coming from the heart - Ro 12:9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

Finally, love must also be "pure". Love of the brethren must always be kept in the context of moral purity. Under no circumstances is our love to be a cover for sexual immorality - Ep 5:2-3 “and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;”. Pure, sincere, fervent love, then, is one that emulates Christ's love, in other words, a sacrificial love! We'll continue this lesson in a second part answering the question 'How do we measure up to this type of love"?

Proper Conduct as Obedient Children 1 Peter 1:14-21

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Proper Conduct As Obedient Children (1:14-21)

In our previous study, we saw from verse 13 that we have the responsibility to fortify the focus of our hope and set it fully upon the grace that we are to receive when Jesus comes again. Another responsibility we have as Christians is to conduct ourselves as "obedient children" - 1 Pe 1:14 “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:”. While the need to be obedient is often misconstrued by some as sounding legalistic, it is stressed in the New Testament nonetheless - He 5:9 “and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;”; 2 Th 1:8 “rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:”

In what way are we to be obedient? There is much the Bible has to say on the subject, but in this lesson we shall focus our attention to 1 Pe 1:14-21, where we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" has both negative and positive connotations (both "thou shalt nots" and "thou shalt"). For example, we learn from verse 14 that as "obedient children" we are not to conform to former lust. My understanding of what Peter is saying is from the word "conform" ("fashion" in the KJV), which means "to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern". The "former lusts" refer to the evil desires and behavior in which we once engaged, and in which the world continues to engage. In essence, then, Peter is saying: "Don't act like you once did, or like those still in the world." "Do not adopt their sinful habits, mannerisms, dress, and speech, which you did before you became Christians."

By applying what Peter is saying we will not seek to act like those who are not Christians. For Christians are not to be "conformists", but true "non-conformists", or "transformists" as Paul writes - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” "Conformists" simply imitate others, sometimes claiming to do so only outwardly. But "transformists" are those who: Have undergone a true change on the "inside" and who manifest the difference on the "outside"

To behave properly as "obedient children", then, we need to be sure we are not adopting the sinful habits or mannerisms of those in the world. Like accepting the popular fashions of our society which appeal to fleshly desires: Such as, short dresses, tight "designer jeans", and other immodest apparel. Christians, rather than conforming, are to adorn themselves in modest apparel - 1 Ti 2:9-10 “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.” Like filling our speech with suggestive language or jokes - Ep 4:29 “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.”; 5:3-4 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.” Or delighting in various forms of entertainment which cater to fleshly desires - Ph 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

But too many Christians DO conform to the world and its lusts.... Therefore it is not surprising to hear many becoming entrapped by the world as is indicated by the rise of marital unfaithfulness and divorce. So Christians need to heed what Peter is saying (as well as what was said by John - 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

In a more "positive" vein, we learn from verses 15-16 that as "obedient children" we are to be holy in our conduct. The word "holy" is closely related to the words "sanctify" and "sanctification". All of which stress the idea of being "set apart". To be "holy", then, means that we are "set apart" or dedicated to God. We are to be "holy" for two reasons. The first reason is that given in our text: "For I (God) am holy." The God who has called us through His gospel is a holy God. He Himself is "set apart" from sin and wickedness. His very nature demands a similar holiness on our part - cf. He 12:14 “Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:” It is also Jesus' desire that we be holy (He died for this very purpose!) - cf. Ep 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

We need to also note that we are to be holy in "all" our conduct. Holiness is not something we put on when convenient, like on Sundays. Instead, our daily life, our entire conduct is to be "set apart" in service to the Lord - Ro 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” For this to be true, every aspect of our life must be in harmony with God's demand for holiness! This means our work, our speech, our dress, our recreation. ALL should be in harmony with the principles of God's Word. Even the most mundane things, when done in keeping with God's Will, become a part of our holy service to God! Can it be said of our lives, that we are holy in all our conduct? Do we go about our business, our play, with the thought of being "set apart" to the Will of God, so that it is evident in our business or play? I am sure that all of us can improve in this area of our service as "obedient children"!

There is one more point that can be made in reference to our conduct as "obedient children", taken from verses 17-21. We must conduct ourselves in fear. As pilgrims, "fear" has a proper place during our sojourn as we live in this world. Even as Jesus taught His disciples - Mt 10:28 “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” And as Paul wrote the Philippians - Ph 2:12 “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

Peter gives us two reasons for such "fear" in our text. First, in view of the judgment by our Father - 1 Pe 1:17 “And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:”. God will not be partial - "without partiality". God will be personal in His judgment - "judges according to each one's work" -- No one will receive special favors, no one will escape His discerning eye! Second, in view of the high cost of redemption - 1 Pe 1:18-21 “knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.”

We were not redeemed from our sins with silver or gold, but only by the precious blood of Christ!
1) Who was without blemish and without spot
2) Who was foreordained to die for our sins before the world began
3) Who came to this earth for our sakes
4) By whom our faith and hope are in God!
Any Christian who does not conduct himself in a manner appreciative of the price paid for his sins, can expect a fate worse than death if he does not repent! - He 10:26-31"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

From verses 14-21, then, we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means that we are not to conform ourselves to former lusts. We are to be holy in all our conduct. We are to conduct ourselves in fear. Paul said much the same thing in writing to the church at Corinth:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Co 7:1) This we cannot do on our own, but by the redeeming grace of God.... We can be forgiven by the precious blood of Christ. We can be strengthened by the power of His Spirit to live the sort of lives pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Have you responded to the grace of God in order to receive such wonderful blessings? - Ac 2:38

Fortifying The Focus of Our Hope (1:13)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Fortifying The Focus Of Our Hope (1:13)

Up to this point in his epistle, Peter has summarized some of the blessings enjoyed by God's "pilgrims"... Their election, sanctification, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus - 1 Pe 1:2. Their rebirth to a living hope - 1 Pe 1:3. Their incorruptible inheritance, reserved in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4. Their being kept by the power of God through faith for the salvation to come - 1 Pe 1:5. Their great joy, which is inexpressible and full of glory - 1 Pe 1:6-9. And, the honor of having been served by a distinguished group of individuals - 1 Pe 1:10-12.

Starting with verse 13, we find a series of exhortations.... These exhortations are based upon the wonderful blessings listed previously (note the connecting word "therefore"). These exhortations are found throughout much of the rest of the epistle. The first exhortation relates to the "hope" that we have as Christians - 1 Pe 1:13 “Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” In which we are charged to "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". Put another way, we are being charged to "fortify the focus of our hope". What this means, and how we are to accomplish it, will be the focus of this lesson.

Let's start by first noticing our duty to fortify the focus of our hope. That is the primary exhortation in this passage. The words "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" is the main point of this verse. The other exhortations which precede it are subsidiary. And will be considered later.

What does it mean to "rest your hope fully"? It means to "set your hope perfectly, unchangeably, without doubt and despondency". As the NASV puts it: "fix your hope completely on the grace...". Therefore Peter is exhorting us to make our hope one that is complete, strong, and not wavering.

The cultivation of a strong hope is therefore a Christian duty. We have a duty to develop and fortify our hope. Just as we need to cultivate patience, self-control, etc., so we need to cultivate our hope! For without a hope that is strong our faith may waver. We are subject to fear, doubt, and depression. Yes, the cultivation (or fortification) of our hope is essential to living joyful and victorious lives as Christians! This is the main point of verse 13, an exhortation to fortify our hope, to make it stronger. Just as we are to grow in faith and love, so we are to grow in hope!

To do this effectively, it is important to give thought to identifying the focus of our hope. As defined in verse 13, our hope is the "grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". In other words, the unmerited favor that we will receive when Jesus comes again!

This is alluded to in the first twelve verses. Our hope is the "inheritance...reserved in heaven for you" - 1 Pe 1:4. The "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" - 1 Pe 1:5. The "praise, honor, and glory" we shall receive "at the revelation of Jesus Christ" - 1 Pe 1:7. The "end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" - 1 Pe 1:9

In view of all these verses, the focus of our hope is to be the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the wonderful grace He will bring! The wonderful praise, honor, and glory we shall receive when He comes! The complete and final salvation of our souls from sin and its effects! The receiving of our wonderful inheritance, the heavenly city, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away! Such is to be the focus of our hope. And as stated previously, the main charge in this passage to "rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" (to fortify the focus of your hope).

How we accomplish this is now considered as we examine what is necessary to fortify the focus of our hope. "gird up the loins of your mind". "gird up" is an oriental expression.... It refers to the act of gathering up around the waist the long, loose robes warn by those in the east. Such "gathering up" was necessary or one's progress in running or some other act of exertion would be impeded. With the use of this metaphor, Peter is saying we must put out of the mind all things that would impede the free action of the mind in connection with developing our hope. We must put out of the mind such things like worry, fear, or obsession with material possessions. In other words, remove anything and everything that is not conducive to having a strong hope in the coming of our Lord. Such as carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life as Jesus said - Lk 21:34-35 “But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.” Such things as these "choke" us and hinder our ability to bear fruit (such as the fruit of a strong hope) - Lk 8:14 “And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”

"Be sober". The word "sober" means "to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect". It is that state of mind in which the individual is self-controlled, able to see things without the distortion caused by worry or fear. To fortify the focus of our hope requires a CALM and SERIOUS attention to the task at hand - Lk 21:36 ("Watch therefore, and pray always..."). We cannot cultivate and fortify a strong hope if we are so "weak-minded" that we allow things to divert us away from our true calling!

And what is our calling? To sojourn through this life as pilgrims, but with a hope that is resting fully upon the grace we will receive when Christ comes again! The problem with many Christians today is NOT that they have no hope, but that their hope is weak and shallow. And that is because they are preoccupied with the affairs of this temporary life. To remain faithful to the Lord, we need to heed Peter's exhortation to fortify the focus of our hope by freeing our minds of those things which would hinder us. By being more serious about the kind of lives our Heavenly Father would have us live - Lk 12:35-40 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Our next lesson will elaborate upon how God would have us live; but for now, are we living for God at all...?

Ministering Not to Themselves, But to Us - Cont.

Ministering Not To Themselves, But To Us (1:10-12) - Cont.

In our prior portion of this lesson we left off the statement "And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel, referencing 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”

Let's now consider the implications of this truth. Through His ministry of inspiration and revelation in the lives of the prophets and apostles, we have been served by the Holy Spirit. Because of His work, we have today the completed revelation of God's Word in our hands! This is in addition to the "sanctifying work" of the Holy Spirit to which Peter referred in 1 Pe 1:2 “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” Do we appreciate the service that the Holy Spirit has rendered for us throughout the ages? Is this not an indication of the great value God must place upon His people?

But there is even another group of distinguished individuals who served their lives in our behalf... We have been served by "the Apostles"! This we can glean from verse 12 "...those who preached the gospel to you". This is a likely reference to the apostles of Jesus Christ who were commissioned to preach the gospel, as recorded in Mk 16:15-16“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.” they carried out this "Great Commission", they considered themselves but servants for those to whom they preached. As Paul said, they were but "seed-throwers"and "water-boys"- 1 Co 3:5-7“What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” were serving as servants of Christ - 1 Co 3:21-4:1“Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”; 2 Co 4:5“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

Therefore, we have been served by men, such as Peter, James, John, and Paul. Men who gave their lives for our sake, to convince the world that our faith in their testimony is not unfounded, but that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead! - 2 Co 11:24-29 “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?”

When we take the time to think about those who spent their lives ministering to us, we can't help but conclude that Christians hold a very high place in God's scheme of redemption as it has unfolded throughout the ages! But before we conclude this lesson, let me point out another noble group that has served those who are God's "elect". We have been served by "angels". Verse 12 tells us that angels had a keen interest in things prophesied by the prophets and in things proclaimed by the apostles through the gospel.

Why such a keen interest? They too were involved in the process of foretelling and revealing the salvation in Christ! For example, Gabriel's appearances to Daniel - see Dan 8, 9. Gabriel's appearances to Zacharias and Mary - see Lk 1:11-19, 26-38. But like the prophets, angels were also in the dark concerning the details of the coming salvation. And so, the angels were serving not themselves but us! - He 1:13-14 “But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?”

Our Father in heaven must hold His "elect" (the church) in high regard to have them served by such a distinguished company! To be so privileged should motivate us to praise God for His grace and to devote our lives in grateful service to Him and His people. But the grace God bestowed toward us reached its peak when addition to all these (prophets, the Holy Spirit, apostles, angels) He sent His only Son to serve us as well!
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Mt 20:28
Shall we not respond with grateful service through faithful obedience to His Will?

Ministering Not to Themselves, But to Us

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Ministering Not To Themselves, But To Us (1:10-12)

Already in Peter's epistle we have seen several blessings enjoyed by the "elect" of God.... The "elect" are born again to a "living" hope - 1 Pe 1:3. The "elect" having a joy "inexpressible and full of glory" - 1 Pe 1:8.

As one continues in verses 10-12, he finds that Peter expands upon the topic of the "salvation" Christians enjoy as a result of their faith (please read) “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” If one takes the time to contemplate upon what is found in this passage, he should not fail to be impressed with how privileged we are in God's sight. For there we learn that we are the recipients of a gospel that was prophesied and has come to us only through the efforts of a very distinguished company of individuals! And in their efforts, they were ministering not to themselves, but to us who are now Christians!

To illustrate just how privileged we are, let's begin identifying those who have ministered to us... We have been served by 'Prophets", which is the main thought of this passage. When the prophets prophesied, they were often intrigued by what they revealed - 1 Pe 1:10-11 “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” This is because they were inspired or moved by the Holy Spirit, and not by their own will - 2 Pe 1:21 “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, they often expressed perplexity concerning those things they prophesied - for example, Dan 7:28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my countenance was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.”; 8:26-27 “And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come. And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king’s business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.” But as pointed out in our text, it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but us! - Dan 12:8-9 “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.”

Consider the implications of this point. We who are Christians have been served by such people as Moses, Samuel, and David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These men (and many others) spent their lives, and in many cases even gave their lives, in service to you and me! Yes, these great "heroes of faith" suffered much in their service to God and to us who are now in Christ - He 11:36-38 “and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.” Does this not indicate that we must be very special in God's sight? We who have been ministered unto by the prophets of Almighty God, and who endured all these things for our sake?

And yet, there is even more... We have been served by "the Holy Spirit"! This thought is also expressed in our text. For it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to proclaim things to come - 1 Pe 1:11 “searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” It was He who inspired David and Isaiah to foretell the sufferings of Christ - see, Ps 22 and Isa 53. It was He who likewise moved the prophets to proclaim the glories to follow:

1) the resurrection of Jesus - Ps 16: 9-11 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

2) His ascension and coronation - Dan 7:13-14 “I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel - 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” As Jesus promised He would, in His discourse to His apostles - Jn 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” As Paul said He did, in writing to the Ephesians - Ep 3:5 “which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”

We will pause here and consider the implications of this truth when we continue this lesson in a second part.

Joy Inexpressible and Full of Glory (1 Peter 1:6-9)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Joy Inexpressible And Full Of Glory (1:6-9)

One of the many blessings available to the "elect" (chosen) of God is a very special kind of joy.... For reasons we shall notice in our lesson, Christians are able to "greatly rejoice" (lit., "leap for joy") - 1 Pe 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”. They have access to joy that is "inexpressible and full of glory" - 1 Pe 1:8 “whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” A joy so great, so glorious, that it is impossible to truly express with words!

In this lesson, we shall focus our attention on Peter's remarks in 1 Pe 1:6-9 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”; concerning this "inexpressible joy" that Christians are blessed to have.

Notice first that in verse 6 Peter begins by saying "IN THIS you greatly rejoice..." He is referring to those things which serve as the basis for inexpressible joy. There are "past" grounds for rejoicing. We have been "set apart" by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit - 1:2. We have been "sprinkled" with the blood of Jesus Christ - 1:2. We have been "born again" to a living hope - 1:3.

There are "present" grounds for rejoicing as well. We are God's "elect" - 1:2. We are "kept" by the power of God through faith - 1:5 “who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” There are also "future" grounds for rejoicing. We have an "inheritance" reserved for us in heaven - 1:4. We look forward to the "salvation" which will be revealed in the last time - 1:5, note 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” All these blessings (past, present, future) serve as the basis for inexpressible joy. Because of them, we can "greatly rejoice!"

Exactly how great is this joy? In verses 6-7, Peter explains the exceeding greatness of this joy. It enables us to rejoice even in trial (1:6) “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”. No matter what degree of suffering one may experience, in Christ there is joy to match it. As Peter explains in 1 Pe 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.” As he and the rest of the apostles exemplified in Ac 5:40-41 “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” How can Christians find joy in such trials? Informed Christians understand the purifying nature of such trials - 1 Pe 1:7 “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:”; 2 Co 4:17-18 “For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Knowing what trials can produce, it is possible to be joyful in trials - Ja 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.”, 12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.”; Ro 5:1-5 “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.”

What kind of trials? The word "various" includes all kinds. Primarily, it includes those which come as a result of living for Christ - Mt 5:10-12 “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” But we can also rejoice in the everyday afflictions of life. Such as, sickness, heartbreak, frustration, approaching death. For these things also provide an opportunity to test our faith, hope, love, longsuffering and patience. If one is able to rejoice even in the midst of such trials, surely they have a joy "inexpressible and full of glory"!

But how can Christians be sure to possess this joy? For it must be admitted that all do not, and there are times when even the best of us do not. In verse 8, Peter alludes to two things which I suggest are necessary to possessing this inexpressible joy.

We must love Jesus, "whom having not seen you love". Jesus is the ultimate source for being able to rejoice in all things - Ph 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.” He has promised that if we truly love Him, He and His Father will be with us - Jn 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” If Jesus is with us, we can receive that joy which is inexpressible! - Jn 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”; 16:33 “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” But can we who have never seen Jesus, love Him? Yes! - 1 Pe 1:8 “whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” How can we come to love Him who we have not seen? Through a devotional study of:
1.) The Old Testament, with its prophecies of the Messiah
2.) The Gospels, with their description of His life, teachings, compassion, suffering, death, and glorious resurrection
3.) The Acts, with its action-packed portrayal of the Lord working together with His church
4.) The Epistles, where we learn of many blessings found in Christ, and of His ministry as High Priest interceding in our behalf
5.) The Revelation, in which we learn of the glorious victory to be won by the Lamb and His followers

We must also believe in Jesus. "Though now you do not see Him, yet believing...". Through believing in Jesus we can "rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory". But such faith is more than a mental assent, or academic knowledge of Jesus. It involves the key element of faith itself, which is "trust". Trusting in His commands to be for our ultimate good. Trusting is His promises to fulfilled. The kind of trust that prompts us to obey Jesus wholeheartedly. This kind of faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17 “ So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

When we have this kind of faith in Jesus, and when we truly love Him with our whole being.... A blessing we receive is that "joy inexpressible and full of glory"! A blessing that can sustain us till we reach the end (goal) of our faith: salvation! - 1 Pe 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” That is because this "inexpressible joy" is based upon many other blessings: past, present, and future. It enables us to joyfully persevere through all kinds of trials in this life. But again, this blessing is only for those who truly love Jesus and believe in Him...

Do you love Jesus? If you do, you will keep His commandments - Jn 14:15 “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.”, 23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Do you believe in Jesus? If you do, you will do what He says - Lk 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Are there commandments of Jesus you have not yet obeyed? If so, why not obey them today so that this "inexpressible joy" can be yours as well!

A "Living" hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

A "Living" Hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)

In our study of Peter's epistle so far, we have noticed that as far as the world is concerned, Christians are but "pilgrims". But as far as God is concerned, we are His "elect". As the "elect" (chosen) of God, we are the recipients of many blessings that God offers to all who will obey and follow Christ. One of these blessings is described in 1 Pe 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Here we learn that God has caused us to be born again unto "a living hope". An understanding of this "living" hope can help Christians who are "pilgrims" be more joyful during their sojourn in this life. Therefore, in this lesson we shall examine what Peter says about the Christian hope that makes it a "living" hope.

Verse 3 begins with Peter praising God, and this leads us to the first reason our hope is a "living" hope, because God is merciful. The basis for our hope lies in the abundance of God's mercy; mercy bestowed while we were yet sinners - Ro 5:6 "For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.", 8 "But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Mercy bestowed upon the conditions of faith, repentance, and baptism - Ac 2:36-38 "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Mercy bestowed continually upon Christians as they repent of and confess their sins - 1 Jn 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Because of God's "abundant mercy", then, we who are sinners can have a "living" hope!

But according to verse 3 there is another reason to have hope. Because Jesus is alive! The resurrection of Jesus is crucial to our hope. If Christ is not risen, then the apostles were liars, and our faith is vain! - 1 Co 15:14-15 "and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain. Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised." If Christ is not risen, we are still held guilty for our sins, no forgiveness has occurred! - 1 Co 15:17 "and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." If Christ is not risen, those who have died as Christians have perished, they are lost! - 1 Co 15:18 "Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished." If Christ has not risen, then we do not have a "living" hope, instead we are to be pitied by others! - 1 Co 15:19 "If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable."

But through Jesus' resurrection, we have been "born again" to a living hope! Peter may have reference not to the process of conversion (though he does in 1 Pe 1:23), but to the renewed hope produced by the resurrection of Jesus. For example, after Jesus' death and prior to His resurrection, the disciples were despondent. But after the resurrection of Jesus, His disciples were "born again" in regards to their hope. As Guy N. Woods says in his commentary: "The reference here is...to the re-establishment of the faith of the disciples by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead." Surely the fact that Jesus did rise gives us reason for a "living" hope. God would not raise a liar, so anything Jesus said about our hope is true - note, Jn 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;". Since Jesus rose from the dead, we have a firm hope that we too will one day rise from the dead - 1 Co 15:20-23 "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming." By the abundant mercy of God, and upon the basis of Jesus' own resurrection, then, we have been "born again" to a living hope!

But there are two more reasons discussed in verses 4-5 as to why our hope can be described as "living". One is because of the nature of our inheritance! The degree of hope we have is directly related to the inheritance we have. If our inheritance is a good one, our hope is strong, or "living". If our inheritance is a poor one, then our hope is weak, or "dead".


This is as Peter described in verses 4-5 "unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." It is "incorruptible. The Greek word is aphthartos {af'-thar-tos}, meaning "not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable". Unlike the present heavens and earth in which now live, and which will one day be destroyed - 2 Pe 3:10-13 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

Our inheritance is to be undefiled. The Greek word is amiantos {am-ee'-an-tos}, meaning "not defiled, unsoiled". It is unlike the earthly Canaan, which could be and was defiled by its inhabitants. Our hope pertains to that where the defiled are not allowed to enter - Re 21:27"and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb's book of life."

Our inheritance does not fade away. The Greek word is amarantos {am-ar'-an-tos}, meaning "unfading, perennial". The word is a variation of "amaranth" which was the name of a mythical flower whose bloom was perpetual and whose loveliness never faded. Such is our heavenly reward: it will not rust, fade, or wither like so many things do here on earth.

Our inheritance is reserved in heaven. The word "reserved" comes from tereo {tay-reh'-o}, meaning "to watch, to observe, to guard, protect, to reserve, set aside". Therefore, our inheritance is safely guarded in heaven itself! No one, not even Satan himself, can steal it from you!

Since this is the nature of our "inheritance" upon which our hope rests, we can see why our hope is described as a "living" hope.There is one more reason to call our hope a "living" hope: not only is our inheritance safely guarded in heaven, but also because we are guarded. Christians are "kept" for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The word "kept" is from phroureo {froo-reh'-o}, and is a military term. It means "to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight". "While our inheritance is being kept guarded in heaven under the watchful eye of God, we are being garrisoned about by God's protecting care for it." (WUEST)

Note that being "kept" involves two things. First, The Power of God! We have the help of God Himself, who knows how to help those in temptation. He knows how to deliver them out of temptation - 2 Pe 2:9 "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;" He knows how to enable them to bear with the temptation - 1 Co 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it." He supplies the armor necessary to withstand in the evil day - Ep 6:10-13 "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand."

Also, Our Faith! To be safely guarded by God's protective care requires faith on our part. The only way we can ever lose our inheritance reserved in heaven is to become unfaithful to the Lord! - Re 2:10 "Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." While the Bible teaches the security of the "believer" It also teaches that a "believer" can become an "unbeliever" - He 3:12-13 "Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:" And it teaches that "unbelievers" have no hope - He 3:14-4:3. As long as we remain "faithful", then, we have the assurance of God's protective care to guide us until we receive that inheritance reserved in heaven for us!

In this passage (1 Pe 1:3-5), there are four reasons why the hope of the Christian is called a "living" hope: because God is merciful! Because Jesus is alive! Because of the nature of our inheritance!Because we are safely guarded! A "living" hope can be a source of great joy in the lives of Christians; it certainly was to the original recipients of Peter's epistle:
"In this (the living hope that pertains to the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials." - 1 Pe 1:6

Do you have this "living" hope? You do if you have received God's mercy offered in Christ, and are remaining faithful to the Lord. If you have not received this mercy, or have neglected it through unfaithfulness, why not come to the Lord according to His conditions found in His Holy Word? - please read Ac 2:38; 1 Jn 1:9

This lesson has been composed in part from a lesson series on 1st Peter by Mark A. Copeland and used as permitted by him at The Executable Outlines Series website.
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2000

The elect of God (1 Peter 1;2) Cont.

The "Elect" Of God (1:2) - Cont.

Peter in this epistle will later expound upon the need for obedience. As obedient children of God, we are to be holy - 1 Pe 1:14-16 “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.”

We are even to submit to civil authorities, that we might silence the ignorance of foolish men - 1 Pe 2:13-16 “Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.” Peter implies grave consequences to those "who obey not the gospel of God" - 1 Pe 4:17 “For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Peter also tells servants and wives to be obedient, but this should suffice to impress upon us that the privilege of being God's "elect" involves the responsibility of being obedient to the will of the Lord.

Finally, being the "elect" of God also means we have the blessings of forgiveness! We enjoy the "spinkling of the blood of Christ Jesus. This is a clear reference to the blessing of forgiveness of sins made possible by the death of Christ. The blessing of forgiveness is one enjoyed when we first become Christians upon our baptism into Christ - Ac 2:38 “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”; 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.” The blessing of forgiveness is one enjoyed as we confess sins throughout our daily walk with God -1 Jn 1:7-9 “but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This blessing is only one of several mentioned in Peter's epistle. He later speaks of "an inheritance" - 1 Pe 1:4 “unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”. And the "salvation of souls" - 1 Pe 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” He describes Jesus as the "Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" - 1 Pe 2:25 “For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” He also refers to the care of God - 1 Pe 5:7 “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.”

We hope to examine some of these blessings for God's "elect" in greater detail in future lessons. But what we have seen from 1 Pe 1:2 is that while Christians may indeed be "pilgrims", strangers living in a world not their own, they are not to be pitied! For by the grace of God and their obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are God's "elect", His "chosen ones", and as such they are:
1) Part of God's predetermined plan
2) Chosen through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
3) Given responsibilities in keeping with the fact they are the children of God
4) Recipients of the richest blessings God has to offer (such as forgiveness of sins)
It is surprising, then, that Peter would address such people with: "Grace to you and peace be multiplied"? Certainly those who are God's "elect" receive in multiple measure the saving grace of God and the peace which accompanies such unmerited favor!

How about you? Are you one of the "elect" of God? You are if you have answered the call of the gospel through the obedience of faith (see Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38-41)! If you have not yet rendered obedience to the gospel, then please do so today, especially in view of the following statements by Peter and Paul:

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - 1 Pe 4:17

"and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed." - 2 Th 1:7-10

The Elect of God (1Peter 1:2)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
The "Elect" Of God (1:2)

In our previous study, we noticed that Peter referred to Christians as "pilgrims of the Dispersion". This description implies that Christians are but strangers, foreigners, sojourning in a land not their own, and scattered about like seed. With their citizenship in heaven, they may be "in" this world, but they are not to be "of" this world. Therefore, one of their important duties is to be "separate" - 1 Pe 2:11 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."

One might think that since Christians are "scattered strangers" in this world, they are to be pitied. Not so, for though they are strangers in the world, they are the "ELECT" of God - 1 Pe 1:2“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” The word "elect" simply means "chosen" and is thus translated in 1 Pe 2:9-10 “But ye are an elect race (chosen, KJV), a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” There we learn that Christians are "a chosen generation"; i.e., they are truly God's chosen people!

In this lesson, we shall consider what it means for Christians to be "The ELECT Of God". Using the comments of Peter in 1 Pe 1:2 as an outline for this study, we see first that as the ELECT of God we are a part of God's predetermined plan. Peter says, "elect according to the foreknowledge of God". The word "foreknowledge" comes from "prognosis" {prog'-no-sis}. It means "forethought, pre-arrangement". For example, being the "elect" (chosen) of God is in keeping with God's plan which He designed beforehand. As B. W. Johnson says in his "People's New Testament" commentary: "Their election and salvation was in accordance with God's predetermined purpose to save men through the gospel, and hence, according to foreknowledge."

Paul expounds upon this "pre-arrangement" in Ephesians. God planned it before the world began - Ep 1:4 “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:”. It anticipated the "chosen" being holy and without blame - Ep 1:4b “that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:”. It looked forward to the "elect" being adopted as sons - Ep 1:5a “having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself”. This plan is according to God's good pleasure - Ep 1:5b “according to the good pleasure of his will,”. This plan has a goal that the "elect" walk in good works - Ep 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.”

Was this "election" individual or corporate? I understand election by God to have been general, not particular; corporate, not individual. That it would be "the body of Christ, the church as a whole".... Which God chose to be the recipients of His divine and gracious purposes and which He planned beforehand (foreknowledge) to carry out in Christ Jesus. While in the "corporate" sense this choice is unconditional and final, as "individuals" we must be "diligent to make your calling and election sure" - 2 Pe 1:10. Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to receive His blessings during the Old Testament period, but individually, the Israelites also had to make "their calling and election sure". So by being in Christ, we are God's "elect", and involved in a plan which was in the mind of God before time began and which is still in the process of being worked out! The implication of this is that those who are God's "elect" are very special to God.

As we return to 1 Pe 1:2, we learn also that we become God's "elect" through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Sanctification, the process by which we are "set apart" for God's purpose, is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. There are several passages that describe the connection between the Holy Spirit and our sanctification - Ro 15:16 “that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”; 1 Co 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”; 2 Th 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

How the Holy Spirit accomplishes this "sanctification is through the Word of God. It was God's will that the Holy Spirit would reveal the Word to the apostles - Jn 16:12-13 “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” Through this revealed Word, we are "sanctified" (set apart) - Jn 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.” Therefore, when people obey the Word of God which has been revealed by the Holy Spirit, they become "chosen...to salvation" through:
1) "sanctification of the Spirit" (the Divine side of conversion, as the Spirit has revealed the Word and convicts men of sin through it).
2) "and belief of the truth" (the human side of conversion, as they believe it) - 2 Th 2:13-14 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Having been "sanctified" (set apart) by belief in the truth, and as God's "elect" now a part of His eternal plan, you might expect such privileges would call for certain responsibilities. Indeed it does, for as God's "elect" we have the responsibility of obedience. We saw earlier in Ep 2:10 that it was part of God's plan before time began that the people of God would "walk in good works". This is all part of God's wonderful grace as defined by Paul in Ti 2:11-14 “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.” We do not earn salvation by such good works (Ti 3:5 “not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”), but nonetheless we are to be diligent in doing them - Ti 3:1 “Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,”, 8 “Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:”, 14 “And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” Peter in this epistle will later expound upon the need for obedience.

Pilgrims of the Dispersion - Cont.

Pilgrims Of The Dispersion (1:1) - Cont.

Having defined what Peter means by "pilgrims of the dispersion," we will now turn or attention to the journey and look at some responsibilities as pilgrims. On this JOURNEY, we become like our spiritual father, Abraham. Notice He 11:8-10“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”, 13-16“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.” this is our attitude towards this life then God is not ashamed to be called our God. And we can honestly sing songs like "This World Is Not My Home"

This phrase reminds us of an important responsibility. Our responsibility as "pilgrims" is to be SEPARATE - 1 Pe 2:11-12 “Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” We may be "in the world," but we are not to be "of the world" - Jn 17:15-16 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.”; 2 Co 6:14-7:1 “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Remaining separate may cause some in the world to think we are strange, but - 1 Pe 4:3-4“For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” Jesus said this would happen, even as it did to Him - Jn 15:18-19 “If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Figuratively speaking, we should be like those foreign refugees now in our country who resist giving up their heritage, their language; who resist attempts to "Americanize" them and destroy their cultural traditions. Can it be said of us who are Christians, that we are keeping ourselves SEPARATE from the world? Are we steadfast in our faith or are we allowing the world to influence our speech, dress and conduct? If so, then we are no longer "pilgrims," but "naturalized citizens" of this world! Remember John's warning in 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

This phrase ought to remind us of our true home. Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior - Ph 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.” We are to be looking for "a new heavens and a new earth" - 2 Pe 3:13-14 “But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.” That is where we will find our true home, the CITY.... "which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." - He 11:10,16. That is "the one to come" - He 13:14“For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.” The city that "comes down out of heaven from God" - Re 21:1-22:5 -- That is where we, who are now simply strangers and foreigners scattered like seed in this world, will one day be gathered together! Those who are truly "pilgrims" will think often of their true home. When we live far away from family we think often of our roots of home. And so we will think often of our heavenly home, if we are truly "pilgrims of the Dispersion"!

Are we "pilgrims of the Dispersion"? We are, if as Christians we view our life here on earth as a journey in a foreign land! We are, if we keep ourselves separate from things in the world that would lead us away from God! We are, if we view as our true home, the heavenly city God has prepared from those who confess they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth!

But you are NOT a "pilgrim of the Dispersion" if you have not yet begun your spiritual sojourn by obeying the gospel of Christ! Having done so, you allow the attractions of the world to discontinue your journey and "settle down" in things which would separate you from God! Are YOU a "pilgrim of the Dispersion"?