Life Development Toolbox - August 06
In this issue
-- 1 Peter Chapter 1
Welcome to the latest edition of the Life Development Toolbox. This month
we start a five month study of Peter's first letter, picking out lessons
we can learn for today's living.
1 Peter Chapter 1
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Verse 1. Apostle = “one sent forth” indicating a person with
a mission from God. Used of Jesus himself as well as his disciples, others
in the early church and sometimes those with a false sense of calling. The
basic meaning here perhaps includes us all, but some references would indicate
a special calling. This leads us into a vague area where some have taken
it as a opportunity to advance their own standing which negates the serving
spirit we all are charged with pursuing for the good of all. Apostles are
recognised by others and not self-appointed. (Heb. 3:1, John 17:3, Luke
6:13, 9:10, 1 Cor. 9:1, 15:8, Acts 14:4 &14, Rom. 16:7, 2 Cor. 11:13)
“Elect” but “strangers” and “scattered.”
We have all been called to citizenship of God’s kingdom and not to
ownership of and allegiance to this world. Our sense of balance between
living in the light of eternity and dealing with the here and now is the
constant challenge for us all.
Verse 2. Chosen: Deliberate act of God’s grace, something our finite
minds surely can never understand this side of heaven. Sanctified: The distinct
and vital work of God’s Spirit in our lives to produce the fruit God
is looking for. This is not something we can attain for ourselves, but is
realised through active submission to the will of God and the direction
of His Spirit. Sprinkled: Our confidence is only ever in the redeeming work
of Christ and the effectiveness of his sacrifice. When God looks at us He
sees the blood, He sees us through that blood and we are for ever accepted.
Peter’s desire: That grace and peace will be in abundant supply to
the readers of his letter. Is this our desire for those around us? Our church
leaders and elders? The people in our small group?
Verses 3-12. After the initial introduction to his letter, Peter launches into ten verses full of great thoughts. A good exercise would be to list the benefits of living in the grace of God contained in these verses, and to reflect on how this would have built up the faith and confidence in his readers. With little communication in those days, a letter from Peter or Paul would have been gold to them and a vital reminder of their inheritance in God. When there are important thoughts and directives to share, some perhaps difficult to receive, it is important to lay a good foundation. In other words, take your hearers to a place of faith where acceptance is easier. Jesus had some very important things to say to Peter himself, after he rose from the dead. His encounter with Jesus on the shore of the lake (John 21) after the miraculous catch of fish surely taught Peter a great lesson on how to build up people to a place of receptivity. How often are we too wrapped up in the importance of getting our message across that we forget how difficult it might be for the hearer to receive? We are encourage to sow seeds, not hand grenades!
Verse 13. Having laid the foundation of receptivity, Peter gets straight to the point – we need to sharpen up! “prepare your minds” – the word prepare implies action and co-operation, it won’t just happen! Compare this with the words of Jesus in Matt. 22:37 and Luke 21:14 (also Paul in Phil. 4:8). “set your hope” – a blinkered determination to focus on hope and not doubt, keeping faith alive and thereby ensuring God’s continued blessing. Perhaps a modern translation would be – “super-glue your hope”?!
Verse 14. “do not conform” – conformity to the world’s viewpoint will always dilute the effectiveness of our life in God. It is too easy for us to agree with the thoughts of others in conversation, sometimes by just keeping silent when we should speak out. When we do speak out we should do so with compassion and not confrontation.
Verse 15. “be holy in all you do” – what a challenge this is. Think of your thought patterns and activities throughout your week against what you know of the holiness of God. Is our perfect, pure, righteous and holy God, who cannot even look on sin, pleased with us in everything we do? The temptation is to say that we are not perfect and never will be on this earth. Read verses 15 and 16 again! Do those verses give us the option to opt out in any way? Even a little bit!? Notice the quality of the holiness required – just the same as Christ’s. The writer is well aware of his own shortcomings and is in no way pointing the finger! When we point a finger, there are always three pointing back at us! One thing is absolutely certain – we can never attain such a standard by our own efforts. Only by the indwelling all powerful Holy Spirit can the life of Jesus be successfully reproduced in us.
Verse 17. “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” – translated from the word “phobos” as a “reverential fear of God that will inspire a constant carefulness in dealing with others.” (Vines dictionary of New Testament words).
Verse 22. “love one another deeply from the heart” – often passively read and applied. Let us think out ways in which we can put this kind of love into action. Love measured by sacrifice, not slipped into our schedule when it is convenient, not just used for our own benefit but love that builds others up at our own expense. This will delight to heart of God who exercises such love towards us every day.
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