1 Peter: 1

1:1
From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing
abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia)
who are chosen
2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the
Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May
grace and peace be yours in full measure!
3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy
he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead,
4
that is, into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. It is
reserved in heaven for you,
5
who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time.
6
This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short
time in various trials.
7
Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more
valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing
away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed.
8
You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you
believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
9
because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your
souls.
10
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would
come to you searched and investigated carefully.
11
They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was
indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for
Christ and his subsequent glory.
12
They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard
to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel
to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a
glimpse of.
13
Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set
your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus
Christ is revealed.
14
Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to
follow in your ignorance,
15
but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of
your conduct,
16
for it is written,
“You shall be holy, because I am holy.”
17
And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to
each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in
reverence.
18
You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors
you were ransomed – not by perishable things like silver or gold,
19
but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb,
namely Christ.
20
He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in
these last times for your sake.
21
Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave
him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22
You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere
mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
23
You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed,
through the living and enduring word of God.
24
For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

One thought:

We have been chosen to live holy lives. Our salvation came at a price, the least we can do is honour God by praising Him with our words and pleasing Him with our actions.

Three questions:

What is the Christian hope (according to 1 Peter 1)? See verse 3 & 13.

 

Do you feel an “indescribable and glorious joy”? Why/Why not?

 

Memorise 1 Peter 1:3-7 over the next week.

Prayer:

Give thanks that God has chosen us to be saved.

Ask that God would help us see the hope we have and that this would lead us to deeper joy.

Ask God to help us live holy and obedient lives.