The Holy Ghost told me this week that this epistle or letter was for today! This letter tells us how to live a Christian life and encourages us to holiness.
Now, for some, they think that no one needs to teach them anything! We are so used to the technology age, or the information age that we forget to read God’s word. We also either forget or we deny obedience to Christ. You and I, let’s just say, we, need to be taught how to live God‘s way! The Bible is our GPS. The Bible is our instruction book. It is God‘s plan of salvation. We must submit ourselves to what the Holy Spirit directs, and what the Bible tells us.
Most of the letters in the new testament was written by apostle Paul, and people did question is coming to know Christ, but today we are studying Peter. No one that knew of Peter questioned his loyalty to Christ. No one questioned it. He is credentials! This is Peter, who both walked on water, and sank in water. This is the same Peter, that confessed that Jesus was the messiah, the true living God, and then denied him three times.
Then, along the shore of Galilee Peter was restored by Jesus Christ. This is the same Peter, who is writing to us in first Peter, and second Peter.
The word pilgrim is unique to Christians, because it has a heavenly hope attached to the word peril. We are just pilgrims passing through this life. We don’t have to except the things on earth as final, because they’re not. Heaven is our eternal home. We are citizens of this nation, but we are Forever citizens of heaven.
The Holy Spirit brought to my attention that Peter is writing to a diverse set of people. Paul wrote two different churches, because there were problems, or the church had began to go down the wrong road. For example, in Philippi, he wrote a letter because there were arguments. In another example, Paul wrote to Corinth, because they had fallen off the rails, because there were just so many conflicts and divisions of the new church. Peter is writing to us. The ones who are foreigners in different countries, because of the persecution of Christians.
In our modern times, it’s important for us to note that there is almost no Christians in turkey today.
1 Peter 1 (King James Version)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter is qualified because he has been with Jesus. Jesus called and commissioned him. Strangers are pilgrims; which are believers scattered among a different people, and who are in different homes. Peters, riding to the people who are persecuted, hunted, and killed for their covenant relationship with Christ.
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Dialect are those believers. They are Sanctified, obedient, and set a part for the use of God. They are followers of Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Peter encourages those persecuted by telling them that it is a proven fact, a done deal, that God brought Jesus out of the grave. Therefore, if God brought Jesus out of the grave; then, he has the power to bring you and I are out of the grave.
He also tells the people that We have a living God, because Jesus is resurrected, and God wants each one of us to hold onto this. I know for me it’s got me through some tough times. It’s provided the joy when I could not find happiness.
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
What do you treasure? How many treasures do you have? Matthew 6:19 says the following: do not lay up for yourself, treasures on earth, where the moth and the rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
Peter is telling us what our inheritance isn’t. This must only mean that our inheritance is too great to describe.
He does say, however, that God has an inheritance that never corrodes, never fades and never rust. It is reserved for us by God. God sustains and maintains it. I know if I have to maintain anything it surely goes downhill fast, but with god, our home is eternally secure.
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Salvation is eternal, because God is eternal, but people can have, and choose to leave it, and walk away from God. If we who are saved, endure to the end, we shall be saved and this is found in Matthew 24:13. If we are saved, our lives must reflect that our love belongs to God.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Peter says look, I know you are vexed with problems, and you’re going through some stuff, but rejoice because you have a great possession in heaven. Because of what God has for you; you can rejoice today and forever more. In times that are rough allow this joy to penetrate through your heart.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Peter says because of your face your children of God. The trial show that your faith is genuine. Current trials and troubles, test your face, but your faith is purified.
Your faith is more precious to God than gold! Overcoming faith brings testimonies from your valleys, and that brings glory and honor to God.
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Yet, we are persecuted and suffer we still believe! We believe in Jesus, even though we were not with him, as Peter was. I think Peter is impressed by this. Historians and biblical scholars say that Peter wrote this 64 years after Jesus his resurrection. he had 64 years to watch new believers. Saving face, belongs to those who believe, and have faith in God. We can rejoice, and we will have Joy always.
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
We are gods children and our inheritance is secure. For how long? Forever for eternity!
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
The profits believed god and believes his promises. They saw signs and wonders. They witnessed God fulfill His very own promises, even though they did not fully understand salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
The prophets were not writing their own ideas. God‘s spirit was with them and directed them. Even though, the spirit was not poured out on everyone.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
The gospel was not totally understood to the old testament people. The old testament believers did not fully understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. We understand, and the mysteries are for field, because Jesus went away and sent the comforter to us. Through the comforter, the Holy Ghost, we understand the foretelling‘s and the predictions of scripture. God‘s word is written in this format, so that all men can understand, and it will be preserved for future generations
The angels are interested in the activities of men. It’s amazing to know that angelic beings are watching man. They’re interested in the means of salvation, and how it was accomplished. They’re interested in the apostles, the Old Testament, prophets, and how survey salvation was accomplished. They were made to glorify God; so, they would be interested in our manifestations of God. For example, how we warship. One can only speculate about what the angels are doing, but we know from this scripture, and from Ephesians 3:10, that the angels are interested in what was foretold by the prophets and preached by the apostles. Which they are still interested in us today because we are sharing the same events.
So far, Peter has encouraged us. He has told us all about our incorruptible heavenly home. Now, in verse 13 he is going to tell us how God expects for us to interact and live in this world. Notice that the scripture begins with our mind and not our actions.
Now…..
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Are you spotless? Are you pursuing a Holiness? What does, “Gird up mean?”
Gird up your loins is an ancient figure of speech. When Peter lived, he would’ve had to tuck in his robe to his belt before doing physical activity. Today, we would say something like roll up your sleeves and get ready.
In other words, sober means self control. We are supposed to be sober in our mind. We have no time for drugs and alcohol, because we are going to meet Christ soon. We are limited in our time to see our loved ones saved. Therefore, have self control with your mind. Gather your thoughts and know why you believe, and in whom you believe. Guard our hearts and thoughts. Allow God’s word to have authority over every idea and everything that is in this world. Don’t partake in pornography. Guard what you see. Don’t waste time; read your scripture. Don’t dwell and meditate on negative things, but dwell on those things which are lovely, true, and kind.
This is really possible in Jesus Christ. In most occasions, this is the battle ground of the spiritual realm.
So what do you do with your mind? Rest your faith in the Hope of Jesus Christ.
Set your mind and your hope in the fact that Jesus will return.
As children (who are pilgrims) We can be distracted by our problems and concerns; so, we have to have a mind surrender to Christ. So that we can act and react like Christ. We are to be calm, composed, and flooded with the peace of God, even though we face persecution and unfairness.
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
continues to call holiness. We are to forsake Sin. We are to be without sin. We are to be filled with the spirit and walk obedience to the will of the Holy Ghost.
we are not to be ignorant, stoned, drunk, or in the dark, but we are called to be sober and vigilant. Our former lusts (sin) I removed when we will only allow God control of our lives. When we are in the will of God, holiness will prevail, and evil will stand down.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Goddess standard for all living. The acronym WWJD is appropriate and everything you say, and everything we do. When a problem arises begin with WWJD. For example: what if Jesus were asked to partake in math, or another drug or alcohol? Well, he would give scripture and turn from the sin. Turning from sin leads us to holiness, and God calls us to be holy, but absent from the Holy Ghost holiness is impossible.
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
In the Hebrew language, holy means: qadish! Qadish means, sanctified, concentrated, dedicated, and set apart from worldliness.
Be holy, for I am holy can be found in Leviticus 19 and 20. In chapters 19 and 20 God tells the Israelites how to be holy. For example, in verse three he talks about love and respect. In verse eight talks about responsibility. In verse 26 he tells his people to not partake in fortunetelling, and to not communicate with the dead. Then, and 35 and 36 Scott does his people to be honest.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Even though, God is who he says he is, we still should fear him. If we pass through this life without repentance, our second death leads us to hail. We should fear God, because he has the authority to judge hour every thought, and our every action.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
There is no vanity, and God we can’t get to heaven because our forefathers, because of our grandparents, or because of our parents. We can’t get to heaven by our works. We can’t get to heaven because of who we say we are. We can’t get to heaven because of our pedigree.
We can only get to heaven, because God made a way for us to be redeemed through his only begotten son Jesus Christ
Who God is, and what he has given us, for our inheritance is not corruptible, and was not made by human hands. Therefore, we will enjoy having for an eternity.
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Jesus is the sinless lamb of god
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Who Jesus was made before the world became meta-fast or known. Jesus restored us to God.
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
We believe in God. Our Hope has grown because Jesus was crucified in a rose on the third day. God has resurrection power! Because he contains this power we know once this body dies God will have the resurrection power in order to resurrect us from the grave. Since, he we know, and believe in this power, heaven is real. The streets of gold are real. The crystal clear water is real. The fruit Vineyard is real and we the “children of God”will a hold of this inheritance.
