Bible Pathways 12/17/2001
December 17
Read 1 Peter 1 -- 2
Peter illustrates the Christian life by calling Christians the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2). "Sprinkling" is alluding to Exodus 24:1-11, in which the blood was sprinkled on the altar as a symbol of the people's obedience to God, as well as sprinkled on the people as a symbol of God's acceptance of them.
As Christians, we look forward to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (1 Peter 1:4-5). However, during our brief lifetime in this world, we are strangers and, as strangers and pilgrims (in this world), we are to abstain from fleshly lusts (evil desires and passions of our earthly nature), that war against the soul (2:11).
Peter reminded us of the deception of sin and the necessity, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He who has called you is holy, so you should be holy in all manner of conversation (daily conduct) (1:14-15). Since the Bible is our source of strength, Peter urged all believers: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby (spiritually) (2:2). Though Peter directs his words to new converts, he points out that the nourishment of the Word is essential if we are to live as obedient children.
Since we have been saved from sin, Satan, and eternal suffering in hell, we should live as servants of God (2:16). This could only mean our surrender to His authority. This never deprives us of true freedom and is always in our very best interest.
Peter describes Christians as living stones . . . built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (2:5). This is a reference to the Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Temple in Jerusalem. Each of us is a sacred Temple for the indwelling Holy Spirit. We have been chosen to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar (redeemed as His possession) people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you (2:9). As a royal priesthood, every believer has the privilege of direct access to God, and, with that privilege comes responsibility: intercessory prayer.
Just as the Israelites were called to be a holy nation, which represented God to men and became the custodian of His sacred Word, so every Christian today is a partaker of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. . . . Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue (moral excellence); and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience (steadfastness); and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness Christian love. . . . He that lacks these things is blind (2 Peter 1:4-9).
Cross References:
For 1 Peter 1:16: See Leviticus 11:44. 1 Peter 1:24-25: See Isaiah 40:6-8. 1 Peter 2:6: See Isaiah 28:16. 1 Peter 2:7: See Psalms 118:22. 1 Peter 2:22: See Isaiah 53:9. 1 Peter 2:24: See Isaiah 53:4-5.
Prayer Needs:
BPM Staff: Benjamin Wallace · Pray for Youth With A Mission and North American Director Peter Iliyn · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by Joe and Betty Crawford · Country: Lesotho (2 million) within the east-central part of the Republic of South Africa · Major languages: Sesotho and English · Limited religious freedom · 43% Roman Catholic; 30% Protestant; 6% ancestor worship, divination, and spirit-possession cults · Prayer Suggestion: Pray and praise God for His faithfulness and mercy in keeping all His promises (2 Chronicles 6:14-15).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 5:7-8
