April 30, 2009
Memorize and meditate on 1 Peter 1:22 today…
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart… (NAS)
Peter teaches us several key points about our salvation in this verse.
What is salvation? A purification of the soul. Through the Spirit, God makes us clean. He removes the defilement of sin. He washes away our sin. He takes the stains of our soul and washes them white as snow. Woohoo! When God sees us, He sees the righteousness of Christ…not all the junk, mistakes, stupid decisions, failures, sins, stubborn pride, foolishness, and impure thoughts.
How are we saved? By obeying the truth. We hear the message of Christ and we listen. We respond. We repent. We receive. The truth is clear. God is perfect. He is holy. I fall short of this standard. I cannot match His holiness. I deserve His punishment. God, in love, reaches out to us in the person of Christ and offers grace. He takes our place. He removes the hindrance to relationship. He holds out His hand and says “will you come back?”. When we humble ourselves and say “yes,” God’s Spirit works to purify us, regenerate us, and adopt us into His family.
Why are we saved? The Bible gives several answers…to bring glory to God…to show forth God’s grace…to restore the image of God in man…to defeat Satan, etc. In this passage, another reason is given. We are saved and our souls are purified for a sincere love of the brethren. We are saved to learn how to love…not only how to love God but also how to love one another. And not just a sentimental, superficial love but a “sincere” love…or literally an “unhypocritical love.” God saves us so that we can begin to truly love another person, to sacrifice our own agenda for the benefit of someone else, to really care about another’s well-being, to actually go through the day not thinking about “how can I be happy?” but rather “how can I make someone else’s day today?”
Since this is one of the main reasons God saved us, Peter says fervently love another from the heart. Work on a better love toward others. Love one another from the heart…not just in outward actions but in true compassion and concern. And love one another fervently. The word literally means “to stretch out,” to extend yourself in order to love another person. Don’t go halfway. Don’t make it something to consider if the opportunity presents itself. Rather go all out. Find the opportunity. Be proactive. Take the initiative. Do something to stretch yourself in love.
Sitting here this morning, I wonder what all this means. Good stuff but I wonder how seriously I take it. I can feel the coldness of my heart. Sometimes I feel like I have to insulate myself from all the concerns that are out there because otherwise they would overwhelm me. In an age of communication, we are bombarded with needs from around the world every moment of every day. But then I can hear the quiet voice of the Spirit….”Just pray for someone fervently today…care for someone today…encourage someone today…don’t take on the whole world…just listen to My voice…and be open to My leading today.”
Lord, change my heart. Keep it from becoming cold, insensitive, insulated. Give me ears to hear Your voice today. Fill me with Your Spirit. Teach me how to love.
April 29, 2009
20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
These verses refer to Christ, who is mentioned in the previous verse as “a lamb without blemish or defect.” Peter is strengthening and padding his message of hope to these persecuted believers with all the truth he can muster.
Peter tells us that not only were we “redeemed by the precious blood of Christ”, but Christ’s life, death and resurrection were part of a plan that God set in place a long, long time ago, even before the world was created. Furthermore, not only was this plan set in motion so long ago, but it was all for our sake!
Then Peter reminds us why our faith and hope are in God: because He “raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him”. If God has that kind of power, then surely we can put our faith and hope in Him to use that same power to bring us also into His presence at our appointed time.
Who among us can’t rejoice in the hope of God that is found in Jesus Christ? If He promised to use that power to raise us up on our last day, will He not also use His power to help us in our everyday lives? How comforting. How encouraging. How firm a foundation, as one hymn-writer put it. May the peace of God that comes from knowing that Christ came for our sake and was raised from the dead by God’s almighty power, rule in our hearts today and forever. Amen.
April 27, 2009
Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
I wonder if Peter was remembering his words to Cornelius when he wrote this verse.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35)
God shows no partiality. The word literally means “not taking hold of the face of a man.” Or, in other words, God has no regard for “the appearance one presents by his wealth or property, his rank or low condition.” Outward appearances, social rank, wealth, religiosity, beauty, etc. mean nothing to God. He sees right to our hearts. And His eyes are constantly scanning the earth looking for hearts that are tuned to Him.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).
God saw the heart of Cornelius, a Gentile man who not yet heard the message of Jesus Christ, and He sent Peter to him. Cornelius feared God. He knew his life was accountable to God and he lived in a humility before Him. His actions showed it. Peter’s message of Jesus Christ was “good news” to such a man.
Now speaking to all believers, Peter says, “If you call God your Father, then live like it!”
Since you know that God is not impressed by outward appearances or social status, then stop pursuing these things.
Since you know that your time on earth is short and that this world is not your home, then stop trying to be popular in the world’s eyes and living for temporary things.
Since you know that God is your Father, then be humble, respectful and obedient to Him.
I wonder if I have become too comfortable with God. I am so amazed by His grace, so blessed by His goodness, that I often forget that He is my Father. He is Judge of all the earth. He is holy.
My kids can forget that I am their father. I love my boys and do all I can to show them my love. I want them to see me as a confidant, a friend, someone they can talk to, go to, enjoy being with. But, at the same time, I am their father. There is to be respect and obedience. To truly know me as a friend, then must first respect me as a father. When they cross the line, there has to be discipline. When they get too comfortable, too lazy, I have to exhort them, rebuke them, move them.
God says the same thing to me. “Steven, don’t forget who I am. I want your heart. I want your obedience. To know me as a Friend, you must first respect me as a Father.”
Lord, my time here is so short. Help me to walk in obedience to You. Forgive me when I get too comfortable with You, too attached to this world, too confident in my own strength, too stubborn in my own ways. May I live my brief years on this earth with a heart increasingly devoted to You.
April 26, 2009
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Holiness is perhaps the most important attribute of God. In Be Holy, a commentary on the book of Leviticus, Warren W. Wiersbe wrote, “Contrary to what you may hear today in some sermons and popular religious songs, the emphasis in the Bible is on the holiness of God and not on the love of God.” So if holiness is so important, what does it mean to be holy?
In his commentary on Proverbs, Wiersbe went on to write that “God is ‘the Holy One’; the word translated ‘holy’ means ‘utterly different, wholly other.’ … But we must not think of God’s holiness simply as the absence of defilement, like a sterilized surgical instrument. Nor is God’s holiness an inert, negative attribute. It’s something positive and active, His perfect nature accomplishing His perfect will. It’s like the “sea of glass mingled with fire” that John saw before the throne of God in heaven (Rev. 15:2).”
With that in mind, I think there are two natural questions that arise:
1) Why should we strive for holiness?
I think there are at least three reasons, two of which are directly mentioned in these verses. Firstly, Peter refers to as “obedient children”. The fact that we are to be obedient means that one reason we should seek to be holy is that we are commanded to be holy. This is the spiritual equivalent to “Because I’m the parent and I said so!” God commanded us to be holy, and it is in our best interest to be holy, so we should just obey and seek to be holy. Another aspect of our standing as children is that we should naturally grow into being more like our Father. Whether it be physical features, temperaments, or character strengths and weaknesses, children gradually begin to look like their parents. Since we are children of a holy Father, we should look more and more like him every day, and he looks “holy”.
Another reason we should strive for holiness is found in the passage where God originally said, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” In Leviticus 11:45, God told the people of Israel, “‘For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’” The Israelites were to be holy because God had delivered them from bondage in Egypt. Likewise, God has delivered us from the bondage of sin. We should long for holiness, therefore, out of love, gratefulness, and devotion to the one who has saved us.
2) What does being holy look like for me?
Again, Peter gives a partial answer to this question: “do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance.” Like God is separate form sin, we should be as well. Part of being “obedient children” of God is to stop being obedient to the sin and lust and idols that we once worshipped. But just as God’s holiness is not just defined by the absence of sin, our holiness isn’t either. There is a positive aspect to it, along with the negative aspect. I think this is what Paul was talking about in Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Holiness is not just trying to avoid sin. It is actively offering ourselves as a sacrifice to God. In fact, our word “sacrifice” is related to the Latin word sacer, which means “holy”.
Another aspect to holiness is proclaiming God’s holiness, grace, and mercy to the world. Peter goes on in this epistle to write, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” We, who were once not part of God’s chosen, have now been chosen and set apart in order to proclaim God’s excellencies.
Just as holiness is perhaps the most important attributes of God, it is also to be one of the defining characteristics of those who are called by him. As Wiersbe wrote in Be Determined, “Separation without devotion to the Lord becomes isolation, but devotion without separation is hypocrisy.”
Lord, may we be a people worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called. May you bring us to a better knowledge and realization of your holiness, and may that knowledge stir up a sense of awe, devotion, and obedience to strive for holiness ourselves. Help us to rely on you to keep us separate from sin and the temptations of the world. Give us also the courage to proclaim your excellencies, your holiness, grace, and mercy, to a world that does not know you. Amen.
April 25, 2009
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
Therefore: As Peter writes, he indicates that he is shifting is thoughts, but dependent on what he just wrote. Don’t look at this verse on its own, but in light of what Peter has just written: in light of the inheritance we shall receive, the grace of Christ, our salvation, the Good News of Jesus, etc. It may even help to go back and read verses 3-12 again.
Preparing your minds for action: So often, the Christian life becomes quite sedentary. Our action simply becomes going to church, and maybe a study. Peter is here calling us to be ready to put faith in motion. How often to we think about sharing our faith with others, encouraging and pointing other believers to Christ, and basically being salt and light to a dark and hurting world?
Being sober-minded: When we think of being sober, the first thing most of us think of is not being drunk. That actually paints a pretty good picture here. When we’re intoxicated, we can’t control our thoughts very well. We lose control. Peter urges us to have control of our minds; what we’re thinking. This isn’t exclusive to intoxication though, it has to do with anything that distracts us or causes our focus and clarity to be clouded.
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Our focus needs to be put straight back on Jesus. The grace that he gives us is an incredible gift. Sadly, we often turn our hope away from the grace of Jesus, often without realizing it. We think that we can just try harder, manipulate a situation (whether or not we realize what we’re doing), back a political party (not bad in itself, unless we think that our hope comes from political change), rest on a church to change or help things, try to buy our way out of a problem, try to ignore something and hope it goes away…all kinds of things that we do rather than place our hope in Jesus Christ and simply walk in obedience in the things He wants us to do.
In light of the grace of God, our focus needs to be put back on Jesus, with clarity of thought, and we need to walk in obedience according to the calling which we have received.
Posted by Adam Wormann
April 24, 2009
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Each school day, I stand with my students, face the American flag, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. That flag reminds me that we gained glory from suffering. The people that suffered before us did not know what we would do with their suffering but they persevered for our sake. I think the prophets did the same. They did not know the outcome of what they wrote. They did not know Jesus Christ would live and die they way he did. They only knew that God would fulfill his promise and so they continued to write for future generations.
We are those future generations and we have the privilige of seeing the completed story in the gospel. Now, the angels look down at us anxious to see the fulfillment of God’s promises.
I imagine the angels look upon us like I look upon my students. I hope they learned something valuable. I hope they make a difference. I hope they change the world. I hope they promote goodness. I hope they are nice to others. I hope they remember their history. I hope they seek a brighter future.
It’s important to keep perspective on our Christian life. Others suffered so we could know what we have in God’s Word. Now, what will we do with our living hope?
We do this ritual to remember our American roots, to demonstrate patriotism or simply honor our current place of residency. Of course, they laugh at me, but then they stand. They know that that ritual may be bothersome and disruptive to their immediate activity but it is an important time of memorial.
Posted by Marian Fontanilla
April 23, 2009
Memorize and meditate on 1 Peter 1:8-9 today…
8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
It must have been interesting for Peter to write these words.
Though you have not seen him… Peter had seen Jesus. He had walked with him, talked with Him, eaten with Him, touched Him. Even with all of these experiences, Peter was still asked by Jesus, “Peter, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.” “Then Peter, feed my sheep” (John 21:15).
Now, Peter is writing to those who have not had that personal interaction with Jesus. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him….
I haven’t seen Jesus. I have a mental picture of Him. I read the Gospels and get a view of His life. I love His words. I love His ways. I love His grace. I have committed my life to Him. But having not seen Him, it does make loving Him a little different. I often wonder how strong my love really is. “Steven, do you love Me?” “I think so, Lord, but I see so much of my life that doesn’t seem to show it.” “Well, Steven, if you love Me, keep feeding my sheep.”
Interesting. Loving Jesus is demonstrated by feeding His sheep, caring for His lambs, carrying the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ, loving the body of Christ. “Steven, do you love Me? Then love the ones I died for.”
We do not see Him, but we love Him. We do not see Him now, but we keep believing in Him and allowing His Spirit to fill us with inexpressible and glorious joy. I want that joy. It comes through greater faith. The more I believe in Him…the more I yield to His Spirit…the more I trust Him…the more I lean on Him and not my own understanding…the more I let go of my agenda and follow His…then the more He fills me with joy and peace. Fill me today, Jesus! I need Your strength and grace.
For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Right now, I am receiving the salvation of my soul. Jesus saved me at the age of 12. He is continuing to save me today. Saving me from sin. Saving me from condemnation. Saving me from myself. One day my salvation will be complete and the One I do not presently see, I will see. And the One I presently love imperfectly, I will love intimately.
Come, Lord Jesus.
April 22, 2009
Good Morning,
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6-7 NASB)
The Lord in Luke 22:31-32 said the following to Peter; “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NASB)
I am convinced that Peter remembered the words of the Lord when he wrote these two verses in chapter one.
And now we see Peter fulfilling the will of the Lord, as he encourages and reminds other brethren of the value of this precious faith. ‘Our’ faith is refined and purified as gold through the process of various distressing trials and temptations , so that the end result will be glory, honor and praise at our Lord’s revelation!
This is an ongoing process that draws us near to HIM who gave us this faith. This faith is not of our own… and quite honestly sometimes my desire is that this process would end. I say this because my faith has failed, ‘but’ HE does not!
So as a brother in the Lord and as one who has experienced victory after having failed, “rejoice in the process”, it brings us that much closer to the Lord and it increases our intimacy with HIM.
Let me share the following two verses I read last night with my daughter - This is God speaking in reference to David;
“But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. “My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. (Psalms 89:33-34 NASB)
Lord, may your words be an encouragement to those who may be experiencing a heaviness of heart today. Amen.
Hector M. Gonzalez “Matt 15:22-28″