Scripture Reference: 1Peter 9:3-5/15-19 (NIV)
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
The influence of Peter on the early church was stronger than that of any of the original Twelve Disciples. He was also the most prominent during Jesus’ lifetime. However Pastor Collins explained that Peter, the writer of 1Peter is a different person. He is not the same man we met with Jesus before the crucifixion, this is a new Peter that has been regenerated by God.
As a disciple Peter was taught by Christ, he set under him as a pupil. Peter here in this book is an apostle, and has been empowered by the Master to represent him. Peter has no shame now saying that he is representing Jesus. This is because with God there is complete forgiveness, our hearts have been made new again. We should never permit past sins, failures, and humiliations to impede us from living for and representing Christ.
There is reference made to those whom God regenerated in (verse 3). We became the heirs of a resurrectioned body because the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the first fruits of our own resurrection (verse 4). The inheritance made possible by Jesus Christ is kept for us. It is not only an inheritance for the past believer, but also for us who are currently alive on earth. We are being guarded by God who is in heaven while, through faith, we are awaiting our liberation from earth.
God wants us to be holy because He is with us and in us. He does not want to be contaminated by the impurities of this world "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people" (II Corinthians 6:16). To have a fellowship with God, we must become holy as He is. "'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you'" (II Corinthians 6:17).
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
The influence of Peter on the early church was stronger than that of any of the original Twelve Disciples. He was also the most prominent during Jesus’ lifetime. However Pastor Collins explained that Peter, the writer of 1Peter is a different person. He is not the same man we met with Jesus before the crucifixion, this is a new Peter that has been regenerated by God.
As a disciple Peter was taught by Christ, he set under him as a pupil. Peter here in this book is an apostle, and has been empowered by the Master to represent him. Peter has no shame now saying that he is representing Jesus. This is because with God there is complete forgiveness, our hearts have been made new again. We should never permit past sins, failures, and humiliations to impede us from living for and representing Christ.
There is reference made to those whom God regenerated in (verse 3). We became the heirs of a resurrectioned body because the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the first fruits of our own resurrection (verse 4). The inheritance made possible by Jesus Christ is kept for us. It is not only an inheritance for the past believer, but also for us who are currently alive on earth. We are being guarded by God who is in heaven while, through faith, we are awaiting our liberation from earth.
God wants us to be holy because He is with us and in us. He does not want to be contaminated by the impurities of this world "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people" (II Corinthians 6:16). To have a fellowship with God, we must become holy as He is. "'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you'" (II Corinthians 6:17).
The church is the community where God's truth is taken seriously. We should not be superficial, or impetuous. We must work hard, setting our hope in God's grace, not in our own willpower.
"Remember always that our obedience is to a gracious Person, not to a coldly calculating judge or to society: holiness not sanctimoniousness. It is being separated for a special purpose by special instructions and discipline. We have been called to perform a unique purpose. We have been called to glorify God by our lives as a witness to all who observe, and at the same time being prepared for His Kingdom. God wants us to have a passionate love for goodness, so in your mind give Him a unique place.
By: B Stevenson
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