These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
I Peter 1:13-25
Review …
- The DIVISION…
- Chapter 1-2:10 – The GRACE of God for SALVATION…
- Chapter 2:11 – 3:12 – The GRACE of God for SUBMISSION…
- Chapter 3:13 – 5:14 – The GRACE of God for SUFFERING!
- Greatly rejoice – LIVING hope…
- As a result of the ABUNDANT MERCY of God – we have been born AGAIN…
- To a LIVING HOPE – because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead…
- Which has given us an INHERITANCE – our SALVATION kept by the POWER of God!
- Greatly Rejoice – in spite of our TRIALS…
- We rejoice – A LOT – because of our living HOPE / INHERITANCE / and SALVATION…
- Though now for a little while – SINCE need be – we have been grieved by various TRIALS…
- Trials that REFINE – purify our faith – to the GLORY and honor of Jesus!
- Greatly rejoice – in our great SALVATION…
- A salvation the PROPHETS wanted to know about – searching carefully…
- A salvation only the Holy SPIRIT can REVEAL…
- A salvation that even ANGELS desire to look into – as God uses us to teach them!
Called to Holiness…
- 1st – Be Holy… vs. 13-16
- Therefore…
- Therefore [Διὸ] – as a DIRECT result of our LIVING HOPE / INHERITANCE / SALVATION
- THREE things – we MUST be HOLY / be HOPEFUL / and be LOVING!
- 1st – The command… vs. 13
- Place your HOPE…
- Therefore gird up the loins of your mind – be sober – and rest your hope fully…
- Upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ!
- There is only ONE command here – we are to HOPE [imperative]…
- But there are THREE verbs that define HOW – we are to put our HOPE in GRACE!
- GIRD UP…
- GIRD UP [Aorist / Participle] the loins of your mind…
- A single action that has to take place – BEFORE – we hope in the GRACE of God…
- In Roman times men would weak long CLOAKS that made it difficult to RUN…
- So they would TIE up their ROBES around their waste using a belt – gird up the loins…
- It is a Biblical expression that refers to being prepared!
- I Peter 1:13 – “Think clearly and exercise self-control…” [NLT]
- Peter is telling us in order to HOPE in the GRACE of God – we need to be PREPARED…
- Not prepared physically to run – but PREPARED in our MINDS – to follow Jesus!
- Too often as believers we just meander through life oblivious to why we struggle…
- We find frustration in living a Godly life – and we never stop to ask why…
- If we think we will accidently put our hope in the GRACE of God – we are mistaken…
- It takes a conscious choice to realize our need for GRACE – ask for HELP!
- SOBER…
- SOBER [Present / Participle] – 6x in NT – to have SELF control…
- Continual action that takes place – at the SAME time – we HOPE in the GRACE of God…
- We need to be CALM – collected – not caught up in the emotions of the moment…
- Because if we are reacting to what is happening – we are not looking to Jesus!
- I had a friend call me years ago – asking for prayer – car repossessed / evection notice…
- He was asking for me to pray that God would send him a bunch of money…
- OK – that was an option – but I asked what if God wants to do something bigger!
- Most of us tend to get caught up in the moment – miss the bigger picture…
- Be SOBER and realize that God is in control of ALL things – and He is working…
- We do not need to react – we need to be open to what He wants to do in our lives!
- HOPE…
- HOPE [Aorist / Imperative] – 54x in NT – what we expect will happen in the FUTURE…
- We are to be PREPARED / have SELF control – so that we can HOPE to the FULLY…
- FULLY [τελείως] – only here NT – better translated COMPLETELY!
- We are to hope COMPLETELY for the GRACE that is BROUGHT at the revelation of Jesus…
- REVELATION – would seem to suggest we are WAITING for Jesus return…
- But BROUGHT [present / passive] – means Jesus is constantly revealing Himself to us!
- So we are COMMANDED to completely HOPE on the GRACE of Jesus DAILY!
- There are so many Christians who are under the bondage of legalism…
- Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will grow in God…
- The more they read the Bible / go to church / pray / give – the more God will bless them!
- But it is the GRACE of God that saves us – AND matures us in our walk in Jesus…
- Only GRACE can bring lasting change – a transformed heart and new life…
- As we completely put HOPE daily in GRACE – we are changed from the inside out!
- 2nd – The illustration… vs. 14
- Obedient children…
- As obedient children – not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance!
- All parents know kids do NOT always want to obey…
- They have their own IDEAS – and their own PLANS – they would MUCH rather follow…
- But they also lack EXPERIENCE and WISDOM – so their ideas usually get them into trouble!
- Which is why it is so important for them to be OBEDIENT to their parents!
- This same illustration applies to us – we are to be OBEDIENT to our heavenly Father…
- Not running after our IDEAS – thinking somehow – we know better…
- We should be TRUSTING what God tells us to do – is ultimately the best for us!
- Not conforming…
- CONFIMING [συσχηματίζω] – 2x in NT – to follow the example of another!
- Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed [συσχηματίζω] to this world – but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
- Before we knew Jesus – we had no other guide in life but our wants [lusts]
- So we chased after money – position – possessions – relationships…
- But none of those things every brought us HOPE – never changed our lives…
- When we chased after this world – CONFORMED – it brought momentary bliss…
- But it was a shallow fulfillment – no matter what we tried the HOPE did not last!
- 3rd – The conclusion… vs. 15-16
- Be HOLY…
- But as He who called you is holy – you also be holy in all your conduct!
- Holy [ἅγιος] – 161x in NT – to be set APART for God…
- We are commanded [imperative] to be set APART – in all of our CONDUCT…
- CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we talk – how we live our lives!
- Because if we as Christians look and act just like those who do NOT know Jesus…
- Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…
- God calls us to be HOLY- we are called to be SAINTS [ἅγιος]
- The NT word for church [ἐκκλησία] – means to be called out of this world…
- It is only as we are HOLY – that we are able to shine and point others to Christ!
- Be LIKE God…
- Because it is written – Be holy – for I am holy – Leviticus 19:2
- Why are we to be like God – because we are His AMBASSADORS to a lost world…
- And the last things we want to do is MISREPRESENT God – we want to reveal Him!
- Our sun is so big – if hollowed out – could hold 1.3 million earths…
- Antares – is a much larger star – 850x the size of the sun…
- VY Canis Majoris – the largest known star – could hold 9.3 billion suns!
- Yet they are only a small speck of light in the sky – because they are so very far away!
- God is huge – but lost sinners are very far from Jesus…
- It is though our HOLY lives that we magnify Christ so that they can see His love!
- Not by trying hard to live up to some standard – but by being transformed by Grace!
- Psalm 34:3 – “Magnify the LORD with me – and let us exalt His name together.”
- 2nd – Be Hopeful… vs. 17-21
- 1st – No partiality… vs. 17
- And [since] you call on the Father – who without partiality …
- No partiality – only here NT – to NOT take things at face value…
- Acts 10:34 – “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality [same root].”
- God does not care about labels – gender – nationality – social status – religion…
- God is not impressed by the outside – the Lord looks at the heart – I Samuel 16:7
- No matter how good a person looks – if the HEART is not right it is NOT GOOD…
- In contrast – if our HEART is right – no matter how the outside looks – we are OK!
- When we get saved Jesus does not clean the outside first – He takes care of the HEART…
- Then in time the outside comes to reflect the new life we have on the inside!
- Judges according to each ones work…
- One day all will stand before the throne of God to be judged – Revelation 20:11-12
- There will be two sets of books opened – the BOOKS and the book of LIFE…
- If our name is found written in the book of LIFE – then we are saved…
- If not – then the BOOKS are opened – and we are judged according to our works!
- Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
- Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear!
- CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we talk – how we live our lives…
- FEAR [φόβος] – to have reverence or respect…
- We are commanded [imperative] to live our lives in REVERENCE to the LORD!
- Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…”
- Much of the world today scoffs at the Bible – because they do not fear the Lord…
- They do not fear the judgment seat – they do not fear the Lake of fire…
- And since God has no PARTIALITY – we are to be WISE – and walk in the FEAR…
- Because there are only two kinds of people when it comes to God…
- Wise sinners who FEAR the Lord and see their need for Jesus – and those who do not…
- For those who reject Jesus – all that waits them is certain and terrifying judgment!
- Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…”
- 2nd – False Hope… vs. 18
- Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things – like silver or gold…
- KNOWING [εἴδω] – to see or perceive…
- We SEE [perfect] – we were not redeemed by PERISHABLE [earthly] things…
- REDEEMEED [λυτρόω] – 3x in NT – to release by payment of RANSOM!
- The picture here is powerful – we are held RANSOM by SIN…
- And no amount of SILVER or GOLD is going to be able to set us FREE!
- We cannot show up to HEAVEN and HOPE to buy our way in!
- [or] from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers!
- AIMLESS [μάταιος] – useless – CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we live…
- TRADITIONS – only here NT – what our FATHER passed onto us!
- The idea here is that we try to escape SIN – through useless TRADITION…
- But our RELIGION could do nothing to free us – pay the RANSOM!
- TRADITIONS seem to be a good idea – and many depend on them to guide their lives…
- But they ALWAYS fails – RELIGION can only control the outside – not change our heart!
- Colossians 2:21-23 – “Rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion – humility – and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a persons evil thoughts and desires.” [NLT]
- 3rd – True Hope… vs. 19-21
- What REDEEMED us… vs. 19
- But with the precious blood of Christ – as of a lamb without blemish and without spot!
- God sent Moses to deliver Israel from the Pharaoh – bring them out of bondage…
- God sent TEN plagues on the Egyptians – ending with the Death Angel…
- The Jews were spared – IF – they put the BLOOD of the LAMB on their doors…
- Then the Death Angel would PASSOVER them and they would be saved!
- John 1:29 – “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
- Jesus is the LAMB of God – it is through His death PASSES over us…
- The ransom was paid – we have been REDEEMED from the bondage of sin!
- When He REDEEMED us… vs. 20
- He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world…
- But was manifest in these last times for you!
- FOREORDAINED [προγινώσκω] – to KNOW beforehand [before the world began]
- The Lamb of God was slain – BEFORE the foundations of the World – Revelation 13:8
- God KNOWS all things – He sees the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:10
- God KNEW that by creating man – it meant He had to DIE – Isaiah 53:5
- How much does God love us – He created us knowing it would cost Him His life…
- The HOPE of the GOSPEL – is the revelation of His GREAT Love for you and me!
- Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His own love toward us – in that while we were still sinners – Christ died for us.”
- Why He REDEEMED us…
- Who through Him believe in God – who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory…
- So that your faith and hope are in God!
- SO THAT our faith [trust] and HOPE are in God…
- Because of what God did – paying our RANSOM – we now believe in God!
- God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us – but that means TRUST…
- But we might question – how do we know that God really love us…
- Because of what He has done for us – we can have absolute TRUST in Him!
- 1st – No partiality… vs. 17
- 3rd – Be Loving… vs. 22-25
- 1st – Love one another… vs. 22
- Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…
- PURIFIED [ἁγνίζω] – we have been made HOLY [perfect / active]
- FIRST – by OBEYING [like little children] – the TRUTH…
- TRUTH – speaking of the Word of God – more on that in a moment…
- SECOND – through the Spirit – speaking of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit!
- In in sincere love of the brethren…
- The result of being PURIFIED [ἁγνίζω]
- SINCERE [ἀνυπόκριτος] – 6x in NT – not hypocritical…
- LOVE [φιλαδελφία] – brotherly love for one another!
- The result of being HOLY is that we LIKE each other!
- We do not just pretend to get along – fake it – we actually do care about one another!
- Love one another fervently with a pure heart!
- LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – a to have PERFECT love…
- It is not enough to LIKE – we are COMMADNED [imperative] to LOVE each other…
- FERVRENTLY – only here NT – the word means to stretch out – reach out!
- We are given a contrast between our LOVE [φίλος] and perfect LOVE [ἀγαπάω]
- We may be able to LIKE [φίλος] people – who are LIKEABLE…
- We can be KIND to people – who are KIND back to us…
- But LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – means to REACH out [fervently] to those who are UNLOVABLE…
- LOVE means to UNCONDITIOANLLY caring for others REGUARDLESS of what they do to us!
- LOVE is what God did for us – when He sent Jesus to die on the cross!
- I John 4:10 – “This is real love – not that we loved God – but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” [NLT]
- 2nd – How we LOVE… vs. 23-25
- Born AGAIN…
- Having been born again – not of corruptible seed but incorruptible!
- BORN AGAIN – same word from I Peter 1:3
- Not born of corruptible seed – speaking of our FIRST birth – physical birth…
- But of incorruptible seed – speaking of our SECOND birth – salvation!
- It is impossible for us to have his kind of LOVE on our own…
- It is only as we are BORN AGAIN – we can have perfect LOVE…
- As we are full of the Spirit of God – the FRUIT from our lives will be the LOVE of God!
- Galatians 5:22 – “The fruit of the Spirit is love…”
- The Word of God…
- Through the word of God which lives and abides forever…
- Because – All flesh is as grass – and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
- The grass withers – and its flower falls away – but the word of the LORD endures forever!
- Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you!
- All flesh – the glory of man – is like the flower of grass that withers and falls away…
- But the word of the Lord endures forever – Isaiah 40:6-8
- And this the WORD – GOSPEL [εὐαγγελίζω] that has been preached to us!
- Our love is conditional – we tend to show love to those who love us back…
- Because we are just HUMAN – like the flower that withers and falls…
- But that is NOT the LOVE that God desires to flow from us – define us…
- And as we spend time in the Word – we will begin to reflect the LOVE from the Word!
- John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
- 1st – Love one another… vs. 22