1 Peter
Many commentaries on 1 Peter speak of the persecution of Christians, and that these are the various trials that Christians must endure in this life. This is really a minor portion of what 1 Peter is discussing. The main theme: the salvation of our soul or mind is the revelation of Jesus in and through us now. 1 Peter 1:5-7. In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter speaks of the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is now, not in the future when Christ returns. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the various trials listed in these verses, where our faith is tested by fire, is the same fiery trial or suffering spoken of 1 Peter 4:1-2, 12-13. We suffer in the flesh, abstaining from fleshly lust and ceasing from sin, so that the revelation of Jesus Christ may be shown in and through us or through our soul. This is the same thing that Paul wrote of in Romans 8:18. The sufferings of this present time are the putting to death the deeds of the flesh so that His glory shall be revealed in us now.
This seems to be source of much of the tension with the grace message that is being revealed through the church today. Jesus made one sacrifice for sins forever. Hebrews 10. He only died once. He paid the penalty for the sins of our entire lifetime, past, present and future. He did not die just for the sins that we committed up until we accepted Him, and then each time we sin after that it is a new offense to God. He paid for all sins, past, present and future. The early Christians were proclaiming this truth. Various ignorant and foolish men, non-Christians and some immature Christians, were saying that it was just an excuse to sin or run wild. 1 Peter 2:15-16. The Christians were accused of using liberty or grace as a cloak for vice, or as a covering to sin. So what are we as Christians going to do with this new freedom? Are we going to rejoice in grace, knowing that the sins of our entire lifetime are forgiven, while continuing to sin? No. Our salvation is not determined by our works. But our works are profitable to us and to those around us. Titus 3:4-5 says that we are saved by His mercy or grace, not by any works of righteousness which we have done. But Paul also tells Titus in Titus 3:8 to affirm constantly that we should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. We are justified before God by His grace alone. We are justified before the people around us by our good works. Walking in holiness is the process of maturity within a believer.
Notice the terms of maturity and growth which are used in 1 Peter. 1 Peter 1:3 He has begotten us again, or being born again. 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word. 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance. 1 Peter 5:1 The elders who are among you. 1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. Peter is describing the process of maturity in a born again believer. Even though our spirit is born again and made perfect when we accept Him, we must learn to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against our soul, or against the image of Christ in us. Romans 8:23 says that our body is not yet redeemed. We must therefore learn to abstain from fleshly lusts. 1 Peter 2:12 Our conduct must be honorable among the people around us so that people can see Jesus in us. How can people see Jesus in us if we are continuing to sin and run wild? If we do suffer, let us suffer because we are walking in holiness and not because we are continuing to sin and getting into legal trouble or causing problems for others.
1 Peter 1:1-2 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied." Peter is describing the three members of the Godhead and their part in the plan of redemption for people. God the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ are mentioned in verse 2. It is easier to understand if we take out one comma which is inserted by the translators of the NKJ version. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." God the Father planned the plan of redemption before the world even existed. The blood of Jesus Christ was shed for the sins of all mankind. After we accept Jesus as our Savior, then the Holy Spirit leads us into the process of maturity through obedience. We do not gain salvation through our obedience. Our salvation was paid for by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. We learn to walk in holiness through obedience to the leading of the Spirit so that Jesus may be revealed in and through us now. The more we understand of His grace, the more peace will be multiplied to us. These themes are expounded more clearly in the latter half of the first chapter of 1 Peter.
I think 1 Peter has many appropriate lessons for us as Christians. The issues that Peter discusses in this book will come to the forefront as the message of God's grace and unconditional love spreads throughout the world. His grace is the freedom to love Him and those around us. It is not a license to sin. Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age." The same grace that tells us that the sins of our entire lifetime are forgiven is the same grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live in holiness and godliness. This is the balance that will be coming forth with the message of grace. We will continue through the book of 1 Peter verse by verse in coming lessons.
Keith Oliver
