FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Love One Another

Now the Apostle Peter urges his readers to have a mind suited for loving others (1 Peter 1:22-2:3). First, he describes the new birth and points out that one of the changes that it brings is love for our brothers and sisters. Next, he presses home that we have an obligation to love and to do so fervently with no motive for gain. Then once again he reverts to the new birth, and especially to the seed from which this new life has grown, the word of God (1 Peter 1:23-25). Then again he emphasizes the obligations that rest on those of us who have received the Word (1 Peter 2:1-3).

Peter first describes the new birth; (1 Peter 1:22). We understand, of course, that it is God who purifies our souls when we are saved; in the strictest sense, we must realize and recognize that we do not have the power for personal purity. However, in this figure of speech, those of us who have experienced purification are said to have attained it when we believed.

The means employed in this purification is in obedience, “in obeying the truth.” This is the second time Peter describes saving faith as an act of obedience (see 1 Peter 1:2). This confirms also the teaching of James concerning faith and deeds. In Romans, Paul twice uses the phrase “the obedience of faith.” Therefore, in our thinking we should not try to separate belief and obedience. True faith is obeying faith. Again, faith as in so many other attributes of the Christian lifestyle, is based in action, manifestation of what we are walking in. This can only be done through the abiding in and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

One of the goals of the new birth is as I stated above, a “sincere love of the brethren.” In a very real sense, we are saved in order to love all our fellow Christians as well as God, our Father. By this love, we know that we have passed out of death into life (1 John 3:14), and by it, the world knows that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus (John 13:35).

So the exhortation that follows is given quite naturally, “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” This is one of the many instances in the New Testament where a declarative statement becomes the basis for an imperative. The declaration is this: “Since you have purified your souls . . . in sincere love of the brethren . . . ,” then the command: “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” The positional forms the basis for the practical. Our love should be warm, wholehearted, with all our strength, earnest, unceasing, and above all, it should be pure.

The exhortation to “love one another” is especially timely for a people who at the time were undergoing persecution because it is a time-proven fact that under conditions of hardship, trials and tribulations, trivial disagreements take on gigantic proportions. This doesn’t just mean for the immediate readers the Apostle was targeting, but for all of us as disciples who were to follow.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Breaking With the World – Continued

Christ’s work for us was no afterthought on God’s part.

“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you . . .”

The Redeemer was destined to die for us before the creation of the world. But at the end of the times, that is, at the end of the dispensation of law, He appeared from heaven to rescue us from our former way of life.

Peter adds these considerations to impress us even more deeply with the importance of making a clean break with the world system for which Christ died to deliver us from. We are in the world but not of it. It’s a true statement that we must not isolate ourselves from unregenerate men, but rather carry the gospel to them. Yet in our dealings and relationships with them, we must never share in or condone their sins; we are not meant to be enablers. We are to show by our lives that there is a better way to live and we do it by showing that we are children of an Almighty, yet loving God. The moment we become like the world, our testimony is weakened. There is no incentive for worldlings to be converted if they cannot see a difference, a change for the better in our lives.

Lincoln also commented in his lectures:

“In these last times—the world’s moral history was closed at the cross of Christ. It has shown itself fully and got to its end before God.” ²

Loyalty to the Lord Jesus is further demonstrated by what Peter tells us concerning the origin of our belief:

“[We] who through Him [Christ Jesus] believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

In other words, it is through Jesus we have come to believe in God. He is the One who has revealed the Father’s heart to us. As the late W. T. P. Wolston, medical doctor and preacher said:

“It is not by creation nor providence nor law that man knows God, but by Christ.” ³

The Father indicated His complete satisfaction with Christ’s redeeming work by raising Him out from among the dead ones and honoring Him with the place of highest glory in heaven. The result of all this is that our faith and hope are in God. It is in Him, not in the present evil world system, that we live and move and have our being.

To Be Continued

² Lincoln, Lectures, p. 30, 33.
³ W. T. P. Wolston, Simon Peter: His Life and Letters, p. 270.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

A Heart of Reverence

Peter continues on and exhorts believers in the fact that we are not only commanded to holiness but also to a reverent mind. This means a respectful fear, one based in awe of God Almighty and a deep appreciation of who God is.

“If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. . .”

In the light of verse 17, it especially means a realization that the One whom we address as “Father” is the same One who “without partiality judges” His children “according to” their deeds. As we realize the extent of His knowledge and the accuracy of His judgment, we should live with a wholesome fear of displeasing Him. Peter is reminding us that “the Father . . . judges” those who are His own, “throughout the time of your stay” in this life; He has committed the judgment of sinners to the Lord Jesus (John 5:22).

Lincoln stated:

“He is looking on, taking notice of all, whether there is integrity of purpose, intelligence of mind, and desire of heart to please Him.” ¹

We are to pass the time of our stay on earth in reverential fear. Do not confuse this with terror, for a son or an heir should never be terrified of their father, but remember that God Almighty is Creator of all and as our Father, deserves the respect of His creation.

Remember, as Christians, this world is not our home. I’ve often said it, that we are only pilgrims, immigrants as it were. We are living in a foreign country, exiled from heaven. We should not settle down as if this were our permanent dwelling. Neither should we imitate the behavior of the worldly-dwellers. We should always remember our heavenly destiny and behave ourselves as citizens of heaven.

Breaking With the World

Before conversion, believers were not different from the rest of the world. Our talk and walk were as empty and trivial as that of men around us. Therefore Peter goes on to remind us:

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers . . .”

Our unconverted days are described as passed down to us through tradition, and resulted in conduct that had no structure, no discipline, no direction, in other words, “aimless.” But we have been ransomed from that futile existence by a tremendous transaction. We have been rescued from the slavery of world-conformity by the payment of an infinite ransom. It was by neither “silver or gold” that we, as kidnap victims have been freed (for comparison see Exodus 30:15).

No, it was most definitely not with precious metals, jewels or any other corruptible thing with which we were ransomed. However, it was:

“With the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Christ is the perfect offering; “a lamb without blemish and without spot,” that is, He is absolutely perfect, inwardly and outwardly. If a any believer is ever tempted to return to worldly pleasures and amusements, to adopt worldly modes and patterns, to become like the world in its false ways, he should remember that Christ shed His “precious blood” to deliver him from that kind of life. To go back to the world is to re-cross the great gulf that was bridged for us at staggering cost. But even more, it is positive rejection and disloyalty to the Savior.

“Reason back from the greatness of the sacrifice to the greatness of the sin. Then determine to be done forever with that which cost God’s Son His life.”

To Be Continued

¹ Lincoln, Lectures, p. 30, 33.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

In previous verses before our text, Peter had been dealing with the glories of our salvation. At this point, he launches into a series of exhortations based on what is to follow.

At the outset, Peter urges the us as saints to “gird up the loins of your mind.” The girding up of the mind is an interesting figure of speech. In eastern lands, people wore long, flowing robes. When they wanted to walk fast or with a minimum of hindrance, they would tie the robe up around their waist with a belt (see Exodus 12:11). This is what Peter meant when he said they girded up their loins. But what does Peter mean when he exhorts believers to “gird up the loins of your mind”? Peter is telling us as believers that as we go out into a hostile world, we are to avoid panic and distraction. In times of persecution, there is always the tendency to become rattled and confused. A girded mind is one that is strong, composed, cool, and ready for action. It is unimpeded by the distraction of human fear or persecution.

This state of mental solidarity is further encouraged by the words “be sober.” In simple terms this means self-control in contrast to hysteria. The sober spirit is poised and stable.

Next, saints are urged to have the optimistic, forward-looking mind:

“Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The assurance of Christ’s return is held out as a compelling motive for endurance through the storms and tribulations of life. The “revelation of Jesus Christ” is generally considered to refer to His coming back to earth when He will be revealed in all of His glory and sit upon His throne for a thousand years. However, there are many that believe Peter may be referring to the Rapture when Christ will come for His saints in the clouds and with the sound of the trumpet before coming back to earth.

Children of Obedience

In verses 14-16, we begin to delve into the subject of the obedient mind.

“[Rest your hope] . . . as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ “

“Obedient children” should not continue to indulge in the sins which characterized them in their former life. Now that we are Christians, we should pattern our life after the One whose name we bear. If we continue to conform to the ungodly world, then we are essentially denying our heavenly character, our new creation. The things we did in the days of our “ignorance” should be put away now that we have been illuminated by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle is telling believers not to indulge in their former sins when he speaks about their “former lusts” while they were still ignorant of God.

Instead of imitating the ungodly world with its fads and fashions, our lives should reproduce the same “holy” character of the One who called us. To be godly means to be Godlike. God is holy in all of His ways. If we are to be like Him, we must be strive to be holy in all that we do and say. In this life we will never be as holy as He is, but we should “be holy” because He is. Thankfully, the Father has imparted His Holy Spirit to abide within us, which creates a holiness that starts from within.

In his exhortation, Peter reaches back into the Old Testament for proof that God expects His people to be like Himself. In Leviticus 11:44, the Lord told the children of Israel to consecrate themselves and “Be holy, for I am holy.” Christians are empowered to live holy lives by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Old Testament saints did not have this help and blessing. But since we are more privileged, we are also more responsible. The verse Peter quotes from Leviticus acquires a new depth of meaning in the New Testament. It is the difference between the formal and the vital. Holiness was God’s ideal in the Old Testament. It has now assumed a concrete, everyday quality with the coming of the Spirit of truth into our very lives.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved