Daily Scripture Reading 1Peter 1:1-21
It is very easy for humans to get laser focused on earthly possessions and accomplishments because we can see them, touch them, and grasp them. They feel real. Today, we will start reading through 1Peter. Chapter one reminds us that what we see and touch here on earth, while appearing to be real and permanent, is actually temporary and destructible. Fortunately, we Christians have something to pursue which will not decay or fade away.
1Pet. 1:1 ¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, ¶ To those who reside as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
1Pet. 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Look at the word “exiles” in verse 1. Christians are exiles, meaning our true home is in heaven and our highest loyalty should be to heaven, not to any earthly government or institution.
Now look at the phrase “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God” which spans verses 1 and 2. God created every person. God created the thought process each person uses to make decisions. Therefore, God knows who will believe in Jesus and who will not because God created the decision making process that each person uses to decide whether or not they will become a Christian. Since God created each decision-making process, you can say God determined who will become a Christian and who will refuse to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.
Peter wrote this letter to believers scattered throughout “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”. These were Roman provinces in the area known today as the country of Turkey.
1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Notice the word “resurrection”. The critical doctrine of Christianity is not just that Jesus died for our sins. The most important fact is that Jesus rose from the dead.
1Pet. 1:4 to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you,
All earthly possessions are vulnerable to decay and destruction. However, our inheritance in heaven is incorruptible.
It is very easy for humans to get laser focused on earthly possessions because we can see them, touch them, and grasp onto them; whereas, we cannot see our heavenly inheritance. However, our heavenly inheritance should be much more desirable because it is permanent and unfading.
1Pet. 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pet. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
This verse captures an essence of the Christian life. We rejoice because our future is in heaven. However, here on earth, we must suffer various trials and tribulations.
Look at the words “for a little while”. A key to withstanding our sufferings on earth are to remember that earth is temporary, meaning our pain is temporary.
1Pet. 1:7 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.
Gold can withstand fire, but it is still perishable. Our faith is more precious than gold.
1Pet. 1:8 And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
This verse captures the essence of faith. We have not seen Jesus, and we do not see Him now, but we still believe in Him. We believe in Him because the Bible is accurate and reliable historical evidence that Jesus is God.
1Pet. 1:9 receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
We receive salvation because we believe in Jesus even though we never saw Jesus.
1Pet. 1:10 ¶ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries,
1Pet. 1:11 inquiring to know what time or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
The Old Testament predicted the suffering and glorification of Christ.
1Pet. 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been declared to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
1Pet. 1:13 ¶ Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ponder the command to “fix your hope”. As Christians, we are commanded to fix our hope on our future in heaven. We have meaning and purpose in life because we are servants of Jesus and someday we will spend eternity with Him.
1Pet. 1:14 As obedient children, not being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
1Pet. 1:15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct;
1Pet. 1:16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
1Pet. 1:17 ¶ And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn,
Don’t miss the word “sojourn”. A sojourn is temporary. Our lives here on earth are temporary.
1Pet. 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers,
Think about the word “futile”. Our earthly conduct is futile because everything we collect and accomplish on earth is temporary and cannot be taken with us when we die.
1Pet. 1:19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
Notice what redeems and does not redeem. Gold, silver, and earthly wealth cannot redeem us from our sins. Only the blood of Christ redeems.
1Pet. 1:20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but appeared in these last times for the sake of you
1Pet. 1:21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
It is very easy for humans to get laser focused on earthly possessions and accomplishments because we can see them, touch them, and grasp them. They feel real. However, everything on earth is destructible and will not last. When we die, we cannot take our earthly possessions and accomplishments with us.
As Christians, we have an inheritance in heaven which is permanent. It will not fade away. All our energies should be focused on earning heavenly rewards.
What do you need to do differently in light of the fact that you are a mere sojourner on earth?
How should your priorities and conduct change in light of the truth that earth is temporary; whereas, heaven is permanent?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”