Introduction
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Like a number of these
letters at the end of the New Testament, Peter writes to encourage Christian
believers experiencing a growing hostility and antagonism because of their
faith in Christ from the surrounding pagan society. The key (or summary) verses
of the whole letter are arguably 4v12-13: Dear
friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though
something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in
the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is
revealed. In other words, the difficulties that arise for us as
believers, keen to live faithfully for the glory of Christ and the spread of
His gospel as we engage with our unbelieving neighbours and family and friends,
are precisely what we might expect (v12). Why? Because the pattern of Jesus'
life and death is to be stamped upon every individual Christian (v13). Just as
Jesus experienced sufferings followed by glory (1:11), such is the pattern of
life for every faithful believer: fiery suffering now (1:6-7), unimaginable
glory to come.
Congregational Bible Experience Day #76
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1-5
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1-5
What's the normal Christian life? What might you expect as you live a Christ-centred, holy life in a sin-soaked, unbelieving world? And, how do you do that anyway? That's the underlying concern that Peter addresses in this letter.
He writes to reassure troubled Christians that the difficulties they are experiencing are not 'unusual', for they are in measure merely following the pathway through life that Jesus established: suffering now, glory to come. He writes to help the believers see the positives amid their pain: their salvation is secure (1:2-5, 19-25); their faith is strengthened (1:7); Jesus becomes more precious to them now (1:8-9); and the very difference of their lives (2:11-12; 4:1-4) invites curiosity about Jesus (3:14-16) and points to the life beyond the present (1:13; 4:5-7), where all our present sufferings will be understood in the light of unimaginable glory (5:1,4,10).
He writes to reassure troubled Christians that the difficulties they are experiencing are not 'unusual', for they are in measure merely following the pathway through life that Jesus established: suffering now, glory to come. He writes to help the believers see the positives amid their pain: their salvation is secure (1:2-5, 19-25); their faith is strengthened (1:7); Jesus becomes more precious to them now (1:8-9); and the very difference of their lives (2:11-12; 4:1-4) invites curiosity about Jesus (3:14-16) and points to the life beyond the present (1:13; 4:5-7), where all our present sufferings will be understood in the light of unimaginable glory (5:1,4,10).
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Please note: because of the length of the daily
readings for the next few days, we'll be keeping the accompanying notes
deliberately brief. The New Testament is inspired and bear God's own imprint;
these notes do not!! Give your time and
attention to the Bible, praying that God will speak to you personally and
directly in what you read…
Like a number of these
letters at the end of the New Testament, Peter writes to encourage Christian
believers experiencing a growing hostility and antagonism because of their
faith in Christ from the surrounding pagan society. The key (or summary) verses
of the whole letter are arguably 4v12-13: Dear
friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though
something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in
the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is
revealed. In other words, the difficulties that arise for us as
believers, keen to live faithfully for the glory of Christ and the spread of
His gospel as we engage with our unbelieving neighbours and family and friends,
are precisely what we might expect (v12). Why? Because the pattern of Jesus'
life and death is to be stamped upon every individual Christian (v13). Just as
Jesus experienced sufferings followed by glory (1:11), such is the pattern of
life for every faithful believer: fiery suffering now (1:6-7), unimaginable
glory to come.
Knowing this,
Peter's purpose in writing to help his readers to stay faithful to the Lord -
by living lives of holiness - in hard testing and tempting times. Under
pressure to conform from their unconverted friends, they are not to revert back
to the behaviour of their previous pagan lifestyle (4:1-6). Instead, conscious
that Jesus has died for their sin to bring them into a relationship with God
(3:18), their lives are to reflect their new and secured status as God's people
(1:13-2:12) as they await the fulness of the salvation of glory that they have
been promised (1:5,13; 5:1,4,6,10). Suffering for Jesus is not simply a matter
of grinning and bearing it, but is itself pathway to true joy (1:7-9).
Knowing our
salvation is secure, irrespective of our present circumstances, enables us to
trust the Lord in those situations where we live under the authority of others,
whether that is in society or in employment or in the home (2:13-3:7), for we
are first and foremost 'the servants of God' (2:16). Earthly authorities, such
as governments or slave masters (v17-18!), are only in place by God's
permission to serve His purposes. When we lovingly cling to Jesus' sovereign
lordship and His promises of eternal blessings to come by being humble and
honourable citizens here and now, we demonstrate to others that we trust in the
authority of God's higher Throne. And when that means that we must unjustly
suffer because of our prior commitment to Christ (2:19-25), it displays to
others the attitude of Jesus and testifies to our confidence in Him.
All this, says Peter
(and so much more), "is the true grace of God" in which we are called
and enabled to stand firm (5:12) for Christ's sake. Amen?
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