1 Peter 1:3-9

As we mentioned in the last lesson, the main theme of 1 Peter is the revelation of Jesus within us now.    This is the salvation of our soul or mind.  When we accept Christ, we are born again.  We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  For Christ to be revealed in and through us to other people, we must first recognize that He lives in us.  We must also go through the fiery trial that Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 1:6-7.  This is the suffering in the flesh that Peter describes so that we cease from sin.  How can anyone see Christ in us when we are sinning?  They can't. 

This theme is the subject of much of the New Testament epistles.  Jesus paid for the sins of our entire lifetime, past, present and even future sins.  Jesus made one sacrifice for sins forever.  Every sin that we have ever committed in the past or will ever commit in the future were future sins when Christ died for us 2000 years ago.  I was born in 1962.  I became a Christian in 1981 at the age of 18.  Christ did not pay the penalty for only the sins I committed from 1962 until I was born again in 1981, and then each new sin I committed or will commit after 1981 is a new offense to God. No! He paid for the sins of our entire lifetime.  This is the Good News.  This is what brings us lasting peace, not just until the next time we sin.  What grace!

So should we just keep on sinning, because all of our sins are paid for?  No!  Sin still causes us pain and hurts those around us.  Also, how can God, Who is love, be revealed in us if we are not walking in love and holiness?    The revelation of Jesus in and through us happens as we turn away from ungodliness and worldly lusts and walk in love and holiness.  Then people can see that Jesus lives in us.  The grace of God forgives the sins of our entire lifetime.  The same grace of God leads us to abstain from fleshly lusts so that Christ is revealed in us.  1 Peter 2:11-12  It is the same grace!  1 Peter 5:10  "But may the God of ALL GRACE (grace that forgives us of all sins AND grace that leads us into holiness) Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strenthen and settle you."  This growth process or process of maturity is the theme of 1 Peter.  Even though we may recognize that all of our sins are forgiven, we will not experience the joy and peace we are meant for if we continue to experience the pain that comes from sinning.  Praise the Lord.  Just as a loving parent would teach his child not to play in the street so they would not be hit by a car, our Father teaches us to turn away from sin and walk in holiness.  Our salvation is not dependent on our good works, but by His mercy and grace alone.  But for us to experience His love, joy and peace on an ongoing basis, our conduct is vitally important.  Mixing these ideas which has caused so much confusion in the body of Christ.  To say that our salvation is dependent on something other than grace is legalism.  But the ditch on the other side of the road is turning the grace of our Lord into lewdness or a licence to sin. 

1 Peter 1:3-5  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  God, through His abundant mercy or grace, has made us to be born again.  Our spirit has been made new.  We have a living hope through the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ that our bodies will be made new in the future.  This is part of our inheritance that awaits us.  It is incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away, regardless of our failure or a sin that we might commit.  Peter speaks of a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time in verse 5.  This salvation is the salvation of our soul or mind spoken of in the next verses.  This is the revelation of Jesus Christ within us now.  We are in the last time.  1 Peter1:20  "He (Jesus) indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."  If Jesus was manifest in the last times 2000 years ago, we are in the last time also.

1 Peter 1:6-9 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."  Most commentaries describe these various trials as the persecution that these believers were experiencing from non-Christians.  But persecution will not cause Christ to be revealed in us.  The salvation of our soul or mind is the revelation of Jesus Christ in and through us now.  This is not speaking of the future return of our Lord.  Peter describes what the various trials or being tested by fire really is.  1 Peter 4:1-2 "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."  This is the suffering or trial that Peter is describing.  Look also at 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  When we partake of Christ's suffering, which Peter describes as suffering in the flesh or abstaining from fleshly lusts, Jesus or His glory is revealed in us.  This is the fiery trial or being tried by fire described in 1 Peter 1:6-7.  When we abstain from the lust of the flesh and walk in love, then praise, honor and glory are found at the revelation or revealing of Jesus Christ in and through us.  God is love.  When we walk in love instead of lust and selfishness, the nature of God is revealed in and through us.  This is the revelation of Jesus Christ in us.  This is the pathway of maturity. 

We will continue on through 1 Peter chapter 1 in the next lesson.

Keith Oliver