Category Archives: Inspired Message

In the first part of his first letter Peter writes about the relationship between God and the followers of Christ. God has redeemed the Christian from sin by the priceless sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In return the Christian has a responsibility to do nothing that would dishonor that great sacrifice. But the sacrifice of Jesus should do more than restore our relationship with God. It should also cause us to have a different view of other people. In verse 22, Peter writes, “Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:”

Peter says that it is obedience that removes the impurities from our lives. Though it is God’s mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit that provides the opportunity, Peter points out that we too have a part in being cleansed from sin. We will not be cleansed unless we obey. It is obedience that turns opportunity into reality.

But, the question can be asked, “Obedience to what?” Peter says that we are purified by obedience to the truth. We must not only be careful to obey, but be careful what we obey. This is an extremely important point because truth is one of the foundations of Christianity. The Bible tells us that “…it is impossible for God to lie…” (Hebrews 6:18) Jesus said, “I am… the truth…” (John 14:6) In the light of these statements we can say with assurance that if something is not true, then it is not part of Christianity. This may seem surprising to you. Don’t the followers of Christ have an obligation to spread their religion in any way they can? As it is written, “For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?” (Romans 3:7) Peter has already given the answer to this. Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a relationship. God has adopted the followers of Christ as His children. He wishes His children to have the same nature as He does. As Peter wrote in verses 15-16, “but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”” Because truth is a part of God’s nature, it must also be part of ours if we are to be His children. And it is our attitude about truth which makes the difference between whether we will be saved or condemned. As the Apostle Paul wrote about those whom God has rejected, “…those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) On the other hand, Jesus said, “…If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Peter says that obeying the truth not only purifies, it also causes us to love. This is the kind of love that we have for a brother or someone to whom we are related. Just as a child who is born into a family has a natural love for the family, we who are born into God’s family have a natural love for the other family members. This love is sincere. This means that is it not just for show, but is a genuine feeling of affection for those in the family.

But Peter says that we are to go beyond the kind of love we have for family. He writes, “…love one another from the heart fervently:” (verse 22) The word for love that he uses here refers to the kind of love that God has. God’s love does not depend on whether the object of His love is lovely or worthy of His love. It is a one directional love in that God still loves whether the love is returned or not. It is a decision to love no matter what the object of His love does. God’s love does not grasp or exploit. Instead, it causes God to give. As it is written in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” In describing the kind of love which God has for us the Apostle Paul writes, “Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) This is the kind of love that Peter instructs the followers of Christ to have for one another.

Before continuing with the rest of Peter’s message we should make note of two more things about the kind of love that Christians are commanded to have. The first thing is that we are not capable of loving like God does from within ourselves. This kind of love results from God’s Holy Spirit working in our lives. As it says in Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” If we find it difficult to love others as God does, then perhaps we are preventing the Holy Spirit from working as He wishes in our lives.

The second thing to note is that love is the primary characteristic by which those who do not follow Christ should be able to recognize the Christian. All too often we make the mistake of thinking that we are the followers of Christ because we worship in a certain way, or that we hold a certain doctrine. Worship and doctrine are important, but we cannot truly claim to follow Christ if our lives do not show the inner fruit that should result from being a Christian. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) If someone claims to follow Jesus then we can ask the question, “How much does he love?” And if we do not love, then we need to ask ourselves whether we really belong to Christ. The Apostle John wrote, “…everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

What is it that makes life worth living? According to the Apostle Peter it is Jesus’ sacrifice of His own life which has redeemed us from the useless way of life handed down to us by our forefathers. In chapter 1 of his first letter, verses 20 through 21 Peter writes about Jesus, “who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.”

In the beginning of his letter Peter wrote that the followers of Christ were chosen through the foreknowledge of God. Here we learn that even before the world was created it was known that Jesus would be our savior. If we reject the savior who has been chosen from eternity, then where else can we turn?

What can we learn from Peter when he says that Jesus was “revealed at the end of times”? One lesson is that just because we cannot always see what God is doing, it does not mean that He is not doing anything. Jesus has been concerned with our salvation from eternity, but until He came to earth as God’s Son His work remained hidden. In John 5:17 it is written, “…Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”” We may not always be able to recognize the hand of God working in our situation. But He is at work whether He discloses it or not. Another lesson is that God waits for the right time to reveal His plan. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) Do we wait patiently until it is “the right time” for God to reveal His works, or do we try to take matters into our own hands?

What does the expression ‘end of times’ mean? When we study the Bible we find that the history of mankind is divided into three periods. The first is known as the Patriarchal Age. During this period God revealed only a few glimpses of His eternal plan. The central message of God’s revelation during this time could be summarized by the words, “A Savior is coming.” And though God is concerned about all people, during this period He chose to work mainly through one family line – that of Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. During the next period God chose an entire nation as His own. This is why we call it the Jewish Age. It was during this period that God gave the Mosaic Law to the Israelites and revealed more of His plan through the prophets. The message during this period was mostly conveyed by type and prophecy. Its main purpose was to teach people about sin, the futility of trying to earn salvation and what the Savior would be like. This why the Mosaic Law has been called a teacher. In Galatians 3:24 Paul writes, “…the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” The third period is called the Christian Age because in it God chose to completely reveal His plan through Jesus Christ. This third period is different from the preceding periods in three important ways. 1) The scope of the message: Before God spoke to only a few people. Now, God’s message of salvation is not restricted to certain families or to one nation. His message is for all people and all nations. As it says in Acts 17:30-31, “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” 2) The focus of the message: While the message in the first two periods looked forward to the coming of the savior, the message of the Christian Age is that the savior has already come. 3) The character of the message: Previously people were told about God. But now, God has shown Himself to us in the form of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-3 says, “God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance…” Jesus himself said, “…He who has seen me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9) and, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

In is very appropriate to call the Christian Age the “end of times”. For one thing, there can never be a more complete revelation of God than the one He has already given through Christ. Also, the words of Jesus will never be supplanted or done away. He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” (Luke 21:33) Another reason these are the “end of times” is because there will never be another savior. If we reject Jesus as our savior there is nowhere else to turn. There is no other way to be saved. We cannot hope for another revelation. The Scripture says, “There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” (Acts 4:12)

Peter writes that it is through Jesus that we come to believe in God. While God is the object of our faith, Jesus is the means through which we come to know and have faith in God. This allows us to test the claims of men. If someone claims to know God, we can ask them, “How well do you know Jesus?” If someone is not a follower of Jesus then it is impossible for them to have a complete faith in God. The Apostle John wrote, “Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:23) Jesus himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6) This is appropriate, for as we have already seen: “His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power…” (Hebrews 1:3) We all need to ask ourselves whether our faith in God is a complete one. We can do this by asking how strong our faith in Jesus is. Are we truly one of His followers?

In the opening of his first letter, the Apostle Peter has reminded the followers of Jesus Christ of the great blessings they have received because of their faith. These blessings are so great that a Christian can rejoice even though he is suffering as a result of his faith. But while the blessings result from the follower of Jesus’ relationship to Christ, they also place an obligation upon the Christian – that is to be holy. Some people have the idea that because they wear the name of Christ, they are free to do anything they please since God, because of His grace, will overlook it. This is not so. It is not the label that we apply to ourselves that will make us acceptable to God, but rather our relationship to Christ. If, by our actions, we damage that relationship then we will no longer be acceptable. In 1:17 Peter writes: “If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:” God is impartial, if we practice evil, God will judge us for it regardless of the name we wear.

The Apostle Paul explains it this way in Romans 2:6-11: God “…“will pay back to everyone according to their works:” to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation, oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.”

From these passages it is clear that we cannot use our claim of being a follower of Christ as an excuse for doing evil things. But what does Peter mean when he says that we should live our lives in fear? Some people have the concept that God is an angry tyrant lying in wait to catch us doing something wrong so that He can punish us. In contrast Peter has already emphasized that God is a loving Father and that the followers of Christ are His children. Children who seek to please a loving father have no need to be afraid of him. The Apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who…” (1 John 4:18) What then should we fear? We should fear anything that would hurt or destroy the relationship we have with our loving Father. Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil…” (NIV)

Peter reminds us that the relationship we enjoy with God as his children was purchased at a tremendous cost. In 1:18-19 he writes: “knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ,”

Notice that Peter says that the way of life that was handed down to us from our forefathers was useless. Many people are very proud of their ancestry. But no matter who our ancestors were, what they achieved or how successful they were, our heritage is meaningless without Christ. Jesus asked this very pertinent question: “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what will a man give in exchange for his life?” (Mark 8:36-37) Some people boast about how much they have given up to follow Jesus. They say, “If I weren’t a Christian I would be this, or I would be that.” But this kind of talk is meaningless. What good will wealth or position do us if we are not pleasing to God? No matter how ancient and noble our ancestry and traditions may be, they cannot save us. It is only Jesus Christ who can restore our relationship to God.

When Peter calls Christ “a faultless and pure lamb” he is referring to the sacrifices that were required under the Mosaic Law. In chapter 1, verse 2 Peter reminded his readers that Jesus is the sacrifice for sin. But here Peter makes reference to the sacrifice that was made when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 12, verses 21 through 24 it says, “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.” From this incident came the God-given custom of redeeming the first born. In Exodus 13, verses 13 through 15 it says, “…you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage; and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’” In the same way Jesus is the lamb that was sacrificed to redeem us. In 1 Corinthians 5, verse 7 it says, “…For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.”

The Greek word that is translated ‘redeem’ actually means “to release by paying a ransom.” Through our actions we sold ourselves into the slavery of sin. But Jesus has purchased us back from Satan with His own blood. How much is our salvation worth? Peter reminds us that it is precious, far beyond the worth of silver or gold. Silver and gold will perish for they are part of this creation. But the sacrifice of Jesus will remain effective for all of eternity. The costly salvation that God has provided through Jesus should cause each one of us to love God so much that we will do our best to please Him and avoid anything that will harm our relationship with Him.

In the beginning of his first letter, Peter has encouraged his readers by telling them of the many blessings they have because of their faith in Christ Jesus. He has also reminded them of the great value of salvation. But God’s wonderful blessings also place some obligations on those who receive them. As Jesus said, “…To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) In 1:13-16 Peter writes: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.””

Peter is writing to people who are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. When we suffer, when we are facing pressure on every side, it is easy to become overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness. Anxiety and indecision can paralyze us so that we passively watch while trouble overtakes us. But because of God’s blessings and the costly salvation that has been given to them, the followers of Jesus should not respond like this to trouble. Instead Peter tells them that they should “prepare your minds for action.” In Luke 12:36 Jesus instructs His disciples: “Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.” The Christian should always hold himself ready to do whatever task his Master asks of him. He needs to clear his mind of the problems and troubles he faces, and to think about how he can accomplish his Master’s will.

Peter says that the follower of Christ is to “be sober”. The actual meaning of the Greek word that Peter uses is “free from the influence of intoxicants”. One of the reasons people drink liquor or take drugs is to escape reality. They imagine that by getting intoxicated they won’t have to face their troubles. But, the troubles only get worse and the person who tries to escape them by getting drunk or “high” cannot think clearly in order to deal with them. This is not for Christians. The Christian is not to try to escape his problems, but rather to look beyond and through them with the eyes of hope. “…set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” (verse 13) The Apostle Paul expands this thought when he writes in Romans 5:2-5, “…We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

In the very beginning of his letter, Peter referred to God as the ‘Father’. He did so because the scriptures say that God adopts as His children all of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. As we saw in an earlier program, Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ…” But Peter points out that along with the priceless privilege of being God’s child comes a responsibility. He writes: “as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance.” (verse 14)

When Peter speaks of ignorance, he is not referring to how much education a person has. The Apostle Peter himself was an uneducated fisherman. Acts 4:13 records: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.” In contrast, the Apostle Paul was highly educated. In Acts 22:3 he says he was, “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers…” And in Galatians 1:14 he says, “I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” What Peter and Paul had in common was that they both met Jesus and came to love Him. The question is not how many academic degrees we have but instead, how well do we know Jesus? The kind of ignorance that Peter is talking about is spiritual ignorance.

There are two kinds of spiritual ignorance. The first kind is not knowing about God and the salvation from sin that He offers through Jesus Christ. Acts 17:29-30 says: “Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,”

The second kind of spiritual ignorance is more serious. It results from hearing about God, but deliberately hardening one’s heart to the message. The Apostle Paul writes: “…you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.” (Ephesians 4:17-18) From this passage we see that hardening one’s heart leads to ignorance which in turn separates one from a godly life. This is why Peter stresses that we must be obedient.

Peter says that our obedience will be demonstrated by our holiness. But we do not achieve holiness by our own efforts. Colossians 1:21-22 reminds us: “You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,” Our holiness is measured by the degree to which we surrender our wills to Christ Jesus and accept His holiness. Have we surrendered to Christ, or are we still clinging to our own wills?

When things are going well for us and there are no great difficulties in our lives, we human beings tend to take our blessings for granted. But when we are suffering, especially when the suffering has come upon us as a result of our faith, then we sometimes ask ourselves whether it is worth the cost. When this happens we need to be reminded how valuable our faith is.

In writing to some of the followers of Jesus who were suffering as a result of their faith the Apostle Peter describes the great value of the salvation that God gives through faith in Jesus. In verses 10-12 of chapter one in his first letter Peter writes:

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”

We assign value to things by how much they cost. From this point of view how much is salvation worth? It is worth so much that Jesus was willing to suffer mistreatment and to give up His life in order to make our salvation possible. In chapter 2:24 Peter reminds us that: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” If our salvation was that valuable to Jesus, shouldn’t we consider it valuable also? In verses 18-19 of this very chapter Peter writes that Jesus, “…his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.”

Salvation alone is precious and valuable enough that we should be willing to endure anything in order to obtain it. But God, in his love and mercy, has much more in store for the Christian. In verse 7 Peter has already told his readers that they will receive praise, glory and honor when Christ returns, but he reminds them that even Christ had to suffer before he was glorified. Hebrews 12:2-3 says: “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.” Surely the glory that awaits the Christian is worth any suffering we may have to endure in this life!

Peter emphasizes the value of salvation to us as people. But the glories that await us Christians affect far more than just us. In Romans 8:18-21 the Apostle Paul writes: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” This too is a reason to patiently endure whatever suffering may come upon us because of our faith in Jesus.

Peter gives an indication of how valuable salvation is and how much we are worth in God’s sight when he writes concerning the prophets, “To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things…” (verse 12) We rightly consider the prophets great men of God. Yet they humbly gave themselves in service to those who would put their faith in Jesus. The follower of Christ is truly privileged even though he may have to suffer for his faith! Each Christian should be encouraged, and yet humbled when he recognizes the great honor that God has given him.

Here it is appropriate to say a few words about service. The world judges how important someone is by how many people serve him. But in Christ it is different. The scriptures teach that those who are truly great are the ones who serve the most. Mark 10:42-45 says: “Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”” The Apostle John records how Jesus demonstrated this teaching: He “…arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him… So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”” (John 13:4-5, 12-15) Peter has told us how Christ and the prophets have served us. We too should follow their example by humbly devoting ourselves to serve others.

Peter gives one more example of how valuable salvation is. He writes: “…which things angels desire to look into.” (verse12) We can only speculate why the angels are concerned about our salvation. We do know from scripture however, that angels are capable of sinning. Is it possible that the salvation of mankind is interrelated with the judgment or salvation of the angels?

In the first nine verses of his first letter, the Apostle Peter encourages his readers by reminding them of the many blessings that they have because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The greatest of these blessings is that they are receiving the salvation of their souls. In verses ten through twelve, Peter writes:

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”

Today we are blessed in that we have access to God’s completed revelation. It is easy to forget that this was not always so. In previous ages only a small portion of God’s will was revealed to His people. For God revealed His plan only gradually and slowly over a period of thousands of years. God reveals Himself to a certain extent through creation. As the Apostle Paul points out: “For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity…” (Romans 1:20) But while we can learn certain things about God from studying the creation, by itself it is not enough to teach us God’s will. For that, language is needed. And so, through the centuries God disclosed His word through prophets. Sometimes God revealed His word to the prophets through dreams, sometimes through visions, sometimes by means of angels and sometimes He spoke to them face to face. But whatever method God used, Peter tells us a very important fact. The Spirit of Christ was in them. This is very appropriate because one of Christ’s names is the Word. When we read the prophets, we are in fact reading a message from Christ. The words that God sent to the prophets have been collected and are available to us in the Bible. Now, instead of being able to see only a small portion of God’s plan like each of the prophets, we have the privilege of viewing all that He has revealed. We can see how God’s message to each prophet points to the salvation that God was preparing through Jesus Christ.

Notice that Peter refers to the Spirit of Christ by the name ‘Holy Spirit’ as well. In chapter 4, verse 14, Peter also uses the terms ‘Spirit of glory’ and ‘Spirit of God.’ In the beginning of his letter Peter mentioned the roles of the various personalities of God, “…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.” (1:2 NIV) But here, by the use of different titles for the Spirit, Peter demonstrates the unity of God. The Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God are one and the same as the Spirit of glory and the Holy Spirit. This gives us a very valuable test to apply to men’s actions. Through the centuries and up to the present time, many things have been done in the name of Christ. We can say with assurance however, that if an action is not holy; if it is not a reflection of or if it is not an addition to God’s glory, then it is not from Christ regardless of the claims of men. For the Spirit of Christ is holy, and is the Spirit of glory. It is this same glorious Holy Spirit of Christ that motivated the prophets to speak of the salvation that God was bringing to mankind.

Peter says that the prophets “…sought and searched diligently…” when trying to find out more about the salvation that God was predicting through them. From this we can see that the prophets greatly valued the message that was given to them. If it was important to them, it should be important to us as well. Scripture says: “Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophesies.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20) If we reject the words of the prophets we are in fact rejecting Christ. Revelation 19:10 says, “…for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”

Also notice that the message concerning the coming salvation was not revealed to only one prophet. It was revealed to many, living in different places and in different centuries. But in spite of this, all of the messages agree. There is no contradiction in any of them. And all are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The careful and intent search of the prophets should be a source of assurance to us. Because of their care we can have confidence that the message given to the prophets was preserved. Many people have made the claim that in the passage of time, God’s message has somehow been changed. But, because the prophets valued what was revealed to them so highly, we can be sure that the message we have today was carefully preserved and is the same as that which was given to them.

Peter writes that the prophets tried to find out in “who or what kind of time” the salvation that God promised would come to pass. In one sense God’s plan of salvation has always been in effect. For example, Ephesians 1:4 says, “…he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love.” On the other hand, God waited until just the right moment to put His plan into effect. Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.” And Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” The prophets who predicted that God would send a savior could only look forward in faith and in hope. We should be very grateful that we have the privilege of knowing that the savior has already come to redeem us from the power of sin. The question is, will we accept the salvation that God freely offers us? Or, will we reject the message that the prophets so carefully preserved and investigated?

In chapter one, verses 6-9 of his first letter, the Apostle Peter writes:

“Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—whom not having known [NIV, “though you have not seen him”] you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Peter compares the faith of a Christian to gold. “… your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire…” (1:7) In some ways faith and gold are similar. Both are precious, though Peter points out that of the two faith is the more valuable. Gold is a measure of material wealth, while faith is a measure of spiritual wealth. There are also differences between faith and gold. Only a few posses gold. Faith is available to everyone. Someone can steal your gold, but no one can steal your faith. This is one reason that faith is more valuable than gold.

The worth of both gold and faith is determined by how pure or genuine they are. Gold is refined by fire. Peter indicates that one of the purposes of suffering is to refine our faith or to prove whether our faith is genuine. This refining or proving of faith is one reason that a Christian can praise God in the midst of suffering. How tragic it would be for someone to live all of his life without realizing that his faith was not genuine! But God allows the Christian to suffer so that he can prove the quality of his own faith; to see where it is weak and where it needs to be strengthened.

Peter writes that our faith will “…result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1:7) We normally think of giving praise, glory and honor only to God. But Peter makes it clear to the people to whom he is writing that they also will receive praise, glory and honor when Jesus returns. The writer of the book of Hebrews likens the life of a Christian to a race that takes place before a vast audience. “Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Though the Christian may have to suffer like Jesus in this life, he can also look forward to the same kind of reward that Jesus received.

Christianity is unique among religions in that it is not based on rules, but rather on a person’s relationship to Christ. The apostle Paul writes about the futility of any system based on rules. In Colossians 2:20-23 he says, “If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” On the other hand, Peter tells us the basis for Christian morality when he writes, “Though you have not seen him, you love him…” (1:8, NIV) The more we understand what Jesus has done, and is doing for us, the greater our love for Him will become. The Apostle John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) It is this love, rather than a set of rules, which compels a Christian to do what is right. As the Apostle Paul points out in Romans 13:9-10, “For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not give false testimony,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” Each one of us needs to ask ourselves whether we act righteously because we are trying to keep a set of rules, or whether we are motivated by love for Christ.

In his next phrase Peter writes, “…though now you don’t see him, yet believing…” (1:8) With these words Peter recalls the words that Jesus spoke to the Apostle Thomas, “…Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” (John 20:29) No, we cannot see Jesus because He is with God in heaven. But if we believe in Him, we are blessed even though we may have to suffer grief. Peter’s words also look toward the future. We cannot see Jesus now, but a time is coming when we will see Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

It is because of this belief, Peter says to all those who follow Christ, that you “…rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1:9) Only love for, and faith in Jesus Christ will bring this joy.

In the first nine verses of his first letter Peter has told us why the followers of Christ can rejoice even while suffering. It is because of God’s mercy, the living hope He gives, the new birth Christians have received, the inheritance that is waiting for them, salvation, that they are protected by faith, that suffering lasts only a little while, that their faith is being proved genuine and that their faith will result in praise, glory and honor. Peter goes on to discuss how the prophets investigated God’s promises.

Is it possible to rejoice while going through grief and suffering? For those who follow Jesus Christ it is not only possible, but something they should do! In verses 3-5 of his first letter, the Apostle Peter has told those to whom he is writing why this is so. The one who follows Christ can give praise for God’s mercy, for the living hope God has given him and for the new birth he has received.

A fourth thing Peter says we can praise God for is that He has given the followers of Christ an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is based on the fact that God adopts those who follow Christ as His spiritual children. The Scripture says: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17) The Bible only gives glimpses what those who follow Christ will inherit. From the passage that was just read, however, it seems that the inheritance may be Christ’s glory. As the Apostle John writes: “ Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

Those who follow Christ can praise God for a fifth thing; that is salvation. When we think about salvation we normally think about being forgiven for our past sins. For example it says in Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” However, salvation not only looks to the past, but also to the present. The Christian has not only been saved, he is being saved. We can see this from passages like 1 Corinthians 1:18. It says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (NIV) The Apostle Peter, however, looks toward the future. In verse 5 he mentions “…a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” From these passages we can see that while, in one sense, salvation is already an accomplished fact, it is also a process that is ongoing in the life of a believer. This process will have its completion at the end of time. And so, the follower of Christ should not only thank God for what He has done, but also for what He is doing and what He will do in the future.

The sixth thing that Peter mentions that every follower of Christ should praise God for is that they are protected by faith. In Ephesians 6:16 the Apostle Paul explains the purpose of this protection: “ above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.” It is faith which defeats every attack and temptation of Satan. But Peter makes it very clear that we cannot defeat Satan by our own strength. He writes, “who by the power of God are guarded through faith…” (Verse 5) It is God working through our faith who blunts Satan’s attacks.

Before continuing with Peter’s message there is a very important question that we all need to consider. The people Peter is writing to are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Though their suffering has resulted from their faith, the blessings about which Peter writes to them also result from their faith. These blessings are not available to those who do not follow Christ. We all want salvation. We all want an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. We all want to be protected by God’s power. We all want to live our lives in hope. But, are we willing to follow Jesus so that these blessings can be ours?

Peter continues his letter:

“Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—whom not having known [NIV, “Though you have not seen him”] you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9)

The first thing to notice about suffering is that it is for “a little while.” Even if someone should have to suffer his whole lifetime for following Christ, it is still “a little while” when compared to the eternal joy he will experience. The Apostle Paul writes: “Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we don’t look 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.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) In the same epistle, Paul describes what his “light affliction, which is for the moment” was: “in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) Both Paul and Peter are telling us that suffering, no matter how severe, is well worth the eternal reward that God has in store for those who are faithful to Christ.

Peter addresses his first letter “…to the chosen ones… that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood…” What does Peter mean when he tells his readers that they are chosen for sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ? The answer lies in understanding the purpose for Jesus’ death. Hebrews 9:19-23 explains: “For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the same way with the blood. According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” Hebrews 10:3-7 continues: “But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire, but you prepared a body for me; You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’” The meaning of these verses is plain. Jesus Christ offered His sinless life as a sacrifice on our behalf so that our sins can be forgiven. As it is written in Romans 8:3, “For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…” If we will accept Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, we are chosen. On the other hand, “…if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Peter closes his greeting with this beautiful blessing: “Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” The word “grace” conveys the idea of “free gift” or “God’s favor.” Peter wants those he is writing to, to experience more than the usual amount of God’s blessings.

The word “peace” as it is used in the Bible, means more than a lack of trouble, persecution or war. It points instead to the inner calm that Jesus gives even in the midst of trouble. Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” (John 14:27) Christ can give peace because He has faced every kind of trial and has been victorious. He said, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) If we are one of God’s chosen, then we too can share in Christ’s peace, even though we are going through trouble.

The next section of Peter’s letter gives praise to God. But Peter is writing to people who are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. It is possible that at least some of them had been driven from their homes and were refugees. In these circumstances one would think that Peter would begin his letter with words of sympathy expressing sorrow for the plight in which his readers found themselves. Instead, Peter praises God! When we read his words we discover that a follower of Jesus Christ truly does have much to be thankful for even in the midst of trouble and persecution. Peter writes:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again [NIV, “has given us new birth”] to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

One thing to praise God for is His great mercy. Whatever trouble a Christian finds himself in, he always needs to remember that God has rescued him from something far worse – that is, the punishment for sin. Psalm 103:10 says, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.” The apostle Paul illustrates God’s mercy in more detail in his letter to Titus, chapter 3, verses 3-5: “For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us…”

A second reason to praise God is for the living hope that he gives to all who follow Christ. The Christian can look beyond the present suffering and see the glory and peace that God has promised to all who submit to Christ. The book of Hebrews reminds us: “Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

A third reason that Peter gives for praising God is that He has given us, that is the followers of Jesus, a new birth. This refers to a new spiritual life. Colossians 2:13 says, “You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.” As the apostle Paul reminds us in another place, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Notice that Peter says that God’s mercy, the Christian’s living hope and the new birth, all three, come through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is essential to understand this point. Without the resurrection it is impossible for anyone to obtain these blessings. The Apostle Paul writes, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

The Apostle Peter addresses his first letter: “to the chosen ones [NIV, “elect”] who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood…”

Though this greeting is very short, it contains some profound truths. Notice first of all that Peter makes mention of God the Father, the Spirit and Jesus Christ. Because the Bible uses words for the Father, Spirit and Jesus that can only be used for deity, Christians are sometimes accused of worshiping three gods, or making someone else equal with God. This is a serious misunderstanding. There is only one God, and Christians worship Him alone. But although there is only one God, He discloses different aspects of His nature and personality through the terms Father, Jesus Christ (who is also known as the Son) and Spirit. It should not be surprising that there are different aspects to God’s character. God created man in His own image. When we try to describe ourselves we use words like body, soul and spirit. Should the Creator be less complex than the creature He has made?

Even though Scripture tells us that we are made in God’s image it is impossible for man to fully comprehend the nature of God. How can what is created ever understand the One who created him? So when Peter writes about the foreknowledge of God it can be difficult to grasp what he is saying. God is not bound by time. To Him all things are present. He knows everything that will happen in the future. Because of this, some people have concluded that God causes all things to happen. But this is not true. He has given mankind a free will. Each person is free to choose whether he will do what is right or wrong. But because God knows ahead of time what each person will choose, He can also predetermine what the results will be. In Romans 8:29-30 the Apostle Paul writes: “For whom he [that is, God] foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.” When Peter writes to those who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, he is reminding them of the glory that God has already determined will be theirs. Though they may be despised and rejected in this world, in God’s eyes they are glorified.

In his greeting Peter introduces the main themes of his letter by briefly mentioning the roles of the personalities of God.

Peter tells the people he is writing to, that God the Father has chosen them. This means that in God’s sight they are very special. They are God’s people and the relationship is so close that later on in his letter Peter refers to them as God’s children. (1 Peter 1:14) The prophet Hosea had predicted this. He writes, “…in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” (Hosea 1:10) But how does God choose? Because God is our Creator He is justified in using any method of selecting who His people will be. The Apostle Paul writes, “You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:19-21) Though God’s choice may at first look arbitrary to us, Peter tells us that God, in fact, chooses on the basis of His foreknowledge. God’s chosen ones are already determined from eternity because He has known from eternity what we will do. The Apostle Paul writes: “…to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation…” (Romans 2:7-8) The factors involved in God’s choice are the things that Peter lists: the sanctifying work of the Spirit, obedience and the sprinkling of Christ’s blood.

The work of the Spirit is to sanctify. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 corroborates Peter’s statement. It says: “…God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth…” The basic meaning of the Greek word that is translated ‘sanctify’ is “to set something apart for special use.” The Spirit separates us from evil and sets us apart for God’s use. The Spirit not only separates us from evil, but builds the qualities into our lives that are pleasing to God. The Scripture says: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23) Many people make the mistake of trying to do the Spirit’s work by themselves. It is only when we surrender and admit that we cannot become righteous by our own efforts that the Spirit will be able to sanctify us. If we will not submit, the Spirit cannot sanctify. And if we are not sanctified, then we are not chosen. In view of this we all need to ask ourselves whether we are allowing God’s Spirit to work freely in us. Scripture instructs us, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Peter writes that we are chosen to be obedient. Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) But obedience means far more than just doing the right things. It involves not only our actions, but gladly submitting our will to God also. Jesus said, “…If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) The point is that we cannot truly serve God without submitting to His will. If we will not serve, we are not chosen.