In The Word
Read: 1 Peter 1:1-12
A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
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, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 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; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
This book is written by the Apostle Peter during the great persecution of the Jewish Christians. Christians were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered everywhere. Peter is writing to encourage the believers, through the pursuit of their enemies, to remember that God is still with them. The Christians of this time were under attack because they were preaching Jesus. Many were being converted and rebelling against the social and moral injustices that came along with the rule of Emperor Nero. The powers of that time wanted to stop the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ because they were losing control of the people, and could longer manipulate them for personal gain.
Does this narrative sound familiar as you read the passage? It should be very familiar because of the social climate we live in today. It is getting tougher to be an open believer of Christ and take a stand against sins like homosexuality and abortion. Christians around the world are being persecuted for their belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world, because people feel that Christianity is causing people to be exclusionary to open sinners. But take comfort in Peter’s words, “…so that the proof of your faith… even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” Hold fast to your faith.