1 Peter gives us many things. We are told of the great mercy of the Lord and of our being born again in Christ. We are given great expectations and a priceless inheritance that the things of the world cannot destroy. We can look forward to great joy ahead even though at times we experience many trials. During these trials we will see how strong and deep our faith is. If we feel we are lacking, we have the opportunity to work and grow in our faith. Trials tell us where we stand so we can adjust.
We love Him even though we do not see Him which is trust. We trust and believe even though we cannot touch or feel Him. We are rewarded for such trust and that reward is the salvation of our souls.
Now that we are reborn, we are called to be clean in our thoughts and to use self control in our daily life. We are cautioned to not relax and slip back into a life style that we lived before having a Christ like way of living. We should use that self control to hold our selfish desires in check. We should want to live a holy life as God gave Christ to cover our sins and give us the promise of life eternal. God loves us that much.
I sometimes ask people if they know when they were saved? Sometimes they can't pin down the date and sometimes they answer with a date. The fact of the matter is that you were saved over 2000 years ago. Christ died for our sins before we were even born. He loved you before you could walk or talk and died so that once you were born, salvations could be yours.
Christ came that we would be cleansed from our sins "so now" we "must" show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22.
I take the word "must" as being one that shows our response to the great gift of forgiveness and salvation through Christ. When we fully recognize what we have been saved from and fully recognize the cost, we cannot help but love those around us. It is a spiritual response to the awesome gift that was given to us.
Furthermore our response to the gift of salvation is that we would want to get rid of all evil behavior. How can evil coexist with who we have become? We are told to get rid of such things. We should not only hear the instruction, but want to clean our house. Get rid of deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. We have experienced the kindness of the Lord and should want to make those changes.
Once we are touched by the Lord, life has changed. Our interests in living a Christ like life becomes our focus rather than our lust for our own selfish wants. We are changed, we are new and it truly is as if we are born again.
When I reflect on my past, I cannot begin to identify with who I was. I am amazed at the things I dreamed of and the way I lived. It is as if I am thinking of a book I once read about some character I never met. Christ has given me a new life, a fresh new start. As I look back short term it is the story of a different person, a person I do recognize. Wow! Who could have believed that there is a BC and AC in my life? There is clearly a Before Christ and an After Christ me in this one body. Thanks be to God.
I am writing you to encourage you and cheer you on in your study. As you continue to grow and study, you will find new pearls of great value in His word. These pearls will give you strength and confidence as the pages of the calendar turn over and you will be better equipped to help those the Lord puts in your path. Let me know how you are doing, don't be shy!
Peace and blessings to you my dear brothers and sisters.