Through the Fire

When I became a Christian I honestly thought everything would be great. People told me it would be the best decision I ever made. Not to mention that some people told me my problems would get better and while that was all true and God did deliver me from various sins in my life and restored my marriage. What people don’t tell you is the battle shifts especially when you’re a new believer. With the acceptance of Jesus as Your Lord and savior there are new attacks that you need to be prepared for. That the truth is too often we fail to prepare and support the new believer as they face them. Leaving them open to condemnation and distraction from the enemy which intern leads them back into their sinful nature and past. I have heard it said and probably even have thought it myself that life was simpler before I got saved. However, this is not a new struggle that believers face it has been around since the Apostles and each writer in the Bible address the issue at some point in time. Peter is no exception and we read about it hear in 1Peter 1:6-7;

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (ESV)

There are two parts to Peter’s Message here first is the fact that all believers at one point or time will be and are tested with trials. Just when you think everything is going great there will be a time of testing that God allows with one sole purpose and that is to test your faith in Him. Those times when you feel like God is not present in your situation are just opportunities for your faith to be tested. We see this throughout scripture both in the Old and New Testaments. One example can be found in 2 Chronicles 32:31;

31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. (ESV)

You know even Jesus experienced a time when God was far from Him. We know this from the author of Hebrews;

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

While we are told this in Hebrews the Gospel writers also recorded these times of testing. The one most of us will recognize is found in Matthew 26:36-46 and Jesus prayer to in The Garden of Gethsemane. I just want to share a few verses of this passage;

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.

Matthew 26:42-44 (ESV)

We also see this at the cross as Jesus cries out the passages of Psalm 22:

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

If Jesus had times when God pulled away from Him to test His faith and we know and this to be true than we can expect and anticipate that time will come that each of us will also. However, Peter does not leave us in a state of worry about how long this will last he reassures us after the fire subsides we will be able to offer a greater praise for the faithfulness of God. So today if you are feeling a little like Johnny Cash and you feel like you have fallen into a blazing ring of fire, let me assure you it is to bring strength to you personally and honor and glory to God who is always able to save. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Priceless Inheritance

So what do we have to look forward to if we make the choice to obey Christ and follow after Him through obedience to His teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Well we can look at the book of Revelation and get an idea of what heaven will be like. However, Peter tells us the most important part of what we need to know about our lives as believers in Jesus Christ and any possible rewards that may be waiting on those who served God through service to His son Jesus. .

“4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter 1:4 (NLT)”

I love the idea that there is an inheritance waiting on me when I get to heaven that is pure and undefiled. Do we understand what that means? When we think about an inheritance in our world today we often associate it with what has been left by a family member upon their death to another family member. This could include money homes land or other forms of property. However, those things will all fade away in one sense or another but not what has been promised to you after accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. What awaits you and me as believers in Christ can never fade or lose its value.  It is a permanent treasure that was earned for us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

Paul in his letter to the Colossians discusses this same point in Colossians 1:5;

“5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News” Colossians 1:5 (NLT)

God has reserved something better than anything we can imagine for those who will believe in Jesus Christ. Today you r inheritance has been set aside never to be reduced or defiled. This promise is eternal and one we can rejoice in even as the world around us works to drag us down and make us forget the power and might of the one who made us.

Whatever trial you find yourself in today take a few minutes to examine what God has already done for you remembering were he brought you out of and knowing that he has promised never to leave you. Everything that you face today does not surprise God. So today focus on the promise of a priceless inheritance in a time yet to come and know that if you walk in the light of God’s Word one day you will receive what God has promised you. Be blessed as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Mercy and Hope

Peter begins to share with the audience of this Epistle his focus in this first section verses 3-12 deals with the theme of hope for eternal life. However, the first thing we see is not a quick explanation of this process but Peter begins by glorifying the Creator who through His mercy has made a way of redemption for us. Depending on the translation of scripture you are using this may read a little differently.

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

 

For me there are two key words in this verse that I want to focus on they are Mercy and Hope. You see in our world today these are often in short supply. However, Peter in this passage tells us that God has given them both to us in a great measure through the resurrection of His son Jesus. I often feel as though we miss this part of the salvation story mainly because we do not understand the concept of mercy well.

Mercy is a main theme throughout the scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments. However, it has some different meanings in both and carries a different message to the reader, Mercy is most often defined in the Old Testament as the expression of God’s loyalty and devotion to the covenant agreement He had with Israeli. It was centered on their ability and willingness to maintain the covenant. While in this New Testament passage we understand that the use of the word Mercy represents compassion, kindness or even pity for someone. Showing mercy is a critical part of the Christian life and often is one of the reasons we fail to live out our witness in front of the world. It comes from the fact that we fail to recognize the mercy we have received and pass it on to others. I am guilty of this myself so don’t take it to hard we all do it. It does however not make it right or acceptable to God.

The other point that Peter emphasize is that through this compassionate mercy we are given a Hope that is greater than all the trails we will face. No matter your lot in life or what problems may come your way. Because God was merciful and had compassion on his creation he has made a way of salvation for those who will believe upon His Son Jesus. If we will accept Him as our Lord and savior we will one day experience our own resurrection from the dead.

To be honest I there I believe that this is a two part promise when we talk about the resurrection we often think about when Jesus will return and all the dead will rise as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:52:

“52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 (ESV)

 

However, the day that you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior you have moved from death into life. That is a form of resurrection. Before you accepted Christ you were dead and of no use to the kingdom of God but now you are made a new creation and have a purpose in the world. One of the definitions of resurrection, “is a rising again, as from decay and disuse” are you prepared to be used by God today if so than you have experienced a form of resurrection. After all you were created with a purpose but to fully be used in that purpose you must have a life changing soul saving relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have that then you can have hope in every situation you face. God’ great Mercy has supplied every believer with an unending supply of hope for today and for the future. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

The Greeting

One thing that most of the letters we find written to in the New Testament have in common is that they all contain some form of greeting; each with its own style. This comes from the authors and scholars often use it to help determine the true authorship of the Epistle. We could discuss that however, since I am holding that the author is who he claims to be there is something more valuable in it for us today. You see one of the most debated topics of the church is mentioned in verse 2:

2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. 1 Peter 1:2 (NLT)

The point of argument is election of the saints. This is a Calvinistic view that many Christians hold today and I neither full agree with it nor dismiss it entirely. To better help you understand this let me give a simple explanation; there are two current competing views of how salvation works. One is election the other is free will; with election the belief is simple before you were born God knew who you were and had already established a plan your life that involves your acceptance of Him. In this view sooner or later you will be saved. Now this goes off the premises that if some are born to be saved then others are born to die in their sin. The free will view of scripture is that God knew you before you were born and has a plan for your life but has allowed us free will that will let us make a choice to follow him or not. This leaves the decision for salvation in the hands of each individual. My point is if you look in scripture you can find arguments that support both views. Throughout scripture God has chosen certain people at certain times in to proclaim His will to the world. Yet you never see Jesus make anyone follow after Him. I defer to Paul as to which concept is right as he wrote to the Corinthians in 1Corinthians 13:12:

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians13:12 (ESV)

Someday we will know the truth and be able to see all that God had established from the beginning. In the meantime we live through faith that what He has promised in His word and through the Holy Spirit He will bring to fruition.

Now let me look at the other point Peter makes in this passage. While he states that these individuals were chosen by God it was not through their power that they were made Holy. It required the coming of the Holy Spirit to help them obey the teachings of Christ. You see we often assume that because we call ourselves Christian we are one. However, to truly be a Christian requires we be obedient to the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It also requires the application of the Blood of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross.

Thomas Paine once said, “What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” Whether you believe in election or free will there was a sacrifice made for you how you view that sacrifice determines what value you place on your salvation. I pray today that you value you it so that in the end you will enjoy God’s grace and have greater and greater peace as Peter described at the end of the verse. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Welcome to a First Peter

Before we begin breaking down the scriptures found in 1 Peter it is probably best that we take a look at who the author is, the time frame in which it was written and who the target audience was when it was written. It is always best when entering in to a study of any passage of scripture that you take time to try and understand these few points. It will help you to better understand and apply what you find as you seek to understand God’s Word.

As far as authorship the opening passage leaves us with very little doubt about whom the author is or even the original audience to whom he was writing. We read in 1 Peter 1:1;

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1 Peter 1:1 (ESV)

It might not surprise you but there is some debate by scholars as to the authorship of this Epistle. I personally will go with the fact that it is the same Peter who denied Jesus three times (John 18).  Who however, Jesus restores to his position of authority and leader of the Church prior to Jesus’ ascension to Heaven. This is recorded in John 21:15-17 Jesus forgives Peter and instructs him to feed His sheep.  Just a point for thought no matter what you have done you are never beyond Jesus forgiveness and Peter is a prime example of how Jesus can restore all people when they trust in Him.

The verse also tells us who Peter was writing too. We know from Acts that the work has been divided between Peter and Paul. Peter has been called to preach the good news to the Jews and their by His writings are predominately geared towards a Jewish audience. However, this letter addresses a more gentile region of the world that makes it applicable to both the Jew and the Gentile. This is why it is as relevant to you and me today as believers in Jesus Christ.

The original time frame in which it was written is a matter of discussion that centers on the belief that Peter was the author. Peter was martyred in A.D. 65 and history shows him arriving in Rome in A.D. 60 so if the letter was written during this period it was in A.D. 62 or 63. The importance of Peter being the true author cannot be underestimated. His firsthand experience with Christ and the witness of the resurrection provide continuity within the Christian church and its history.

The letter itself addresses method and nature of salvation, a demand for holiness, a description of people of God, Christian witness, appeals and promises to the persecuted and assurance for the faithful servants. My intention is to go verse by verse word by word as we study this valuable letter to the early church from one of the most changed men in the history of the world. I hope you find it beneficial and enlightening as we dive into God’s word and begin to learn what Peter knows and understands about walking in the faith of Jesus Christ. Be blessed today.