◆Four Recommendations I. 1 Peter 1:13-252024.4.21.

Today we read from 1 Peter 1:13-25. We have been reading the letter of Peter, and today we read the second half of the first chapter at a stretch. It is a passage with truly rich contents, but I would like to focus on four points and four recommendations. The four are: “Wait earnestly” in verse 13, “Be holy” in verse 15, “You should live in fear of him” in verse 17, and “Love one another deeply with a pure heart” in verse 22. By the way, this part from verse 13 begins with the word “therefore”. There is a reason for this, and the speaker is proceeding on the basis of that reason. What is the reason? What does “therefore” refer to, since we have been given the lively and living hope that we read about in verses 3-5, and since we have been made heirs of the riches that are stored up in heaven, which neither decay nor become filthy nor wither. First, we are told who we are, what blessings we have received, and how we are to live our lives on that basis. This is the difference between many religions, human teachings, and truth. Human teachings begin with life. The order of the day is “live this way, and you will receive blessings,” and “live this way, and you will receive curses. If not, you will be cursed. Truth begins with salvation, acceptance, and reconciliation with God, so it encourages us to live our lives in this way. Today, once again, let us first affirm that God’s love has forgiven our sins through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, reconciled us to God, and made us new, God’s people, God’s children. Then let us hear four exhortations. The first is verse 13. It is an exhortation to “be sober-minded and self-controlled at all times, waiting earnestly for the grace that will be given to you when Jesus Christ appears.” We already know that the grace that will be given when Jesus Christ appears is the consummation of salvation, the grace of a people now cleansed and free from the consequences of sin, a people now chosen, priests in the royal line, a holy nation, a people who have become God’s own, but who will emerge in full substance, right? The invitation is to look forward to that grace. It seems that it takes “strength” to hold on to this hope. We must wait for it with a tightened heart and a sober mind. We live our lives until this grace is manifested in the flesh, and events occur more often than once that cause us to doubt God’s grace. For events occur that make us realize that “the grass withers, and the flower scatters. For it takes strength to continue to confess in such circumstances, “But the word of the Lord never changes forever. What kind of strength does it take? It is the power of keeping one’s eyes open. As I have used this analogy several times, a motorcycle is not driven by the steering wheel, but by the line of sight. You go in the direction you see. When going around a curve, if you look toward the exit of the curve, the bike will naturally lean just right and go in that direction. If you are about to hit a telephone pole and you keep looking at it in fear, you will surely hit it. It seems to be a truism that in our daily lives, speaking positive words produces positive thoughts and positive results, and speaking negative words produces negative thoughts and negative results. Where do we look to live our lives? When Jesus Christ appears, salvation will be complete, and there will be no more tears or death. We are to live with our eyes fixed on that time. That is the posture of being tightened up and looking forward to the grace that will be given to us at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This is the first recommendation. The second recommendation is verses 14 and 15. The second exhortation is in verses 14 and 15: “Do not be drawn away by the desires of your ignorance, but be obedient children, and be holy yourselves in all your life, following the example of the Holy One who has called you.” Now, we have heard a very important word. Be holy. But didn’t Jesus say in John 15:3, “You are already clean. In the first place, you may think that we do not have the power to make ourselves holy in every aspect of our lives, and that we cannot be asked to do such an impossible task. Does the Bible contradict itself? It does not. The Bible must be read in context. The “purity” referred to here is not being dragged down by lust. It is inevitable that desires will arise in our hearts. But we are not dragged down by them. That is the meaning of “clean” here. In all aspects of life, desires try to control us. Desire to have more. Desire to be recognized. The desire to dominate. The desire to beat them. There is no end to it. But don’t let it pull you down. Don’t hold it in your heart. Don’t let it take control of you. That is how to become holy. But when it takes over. Will all be well then? No. Hebrews 4:15 says this. “This High Priest [i.e., Jesus], who was not without pity for our infirmities, did not sin, but was tried in all points as we are. Let us therefore draw near boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace, and timely help.” Jesus further provides a way of escape. It is to approach Jesus’ throne of grace with words of repentance and a heart. See also 1 John 1:8, 9. ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we openly declare our sins, God, who is true and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I believe that the image of the Christian that God is most pleased with is the one who repents of his sins. That is when God says, “Oh, it is good that I sent my Son Jesus. It was really hard for me to hang him on the cross, but it was worth it. At that time, God says, “You have become holy. Today, we have reflected on two of the four recommendations and asked God about them. Next time, I would like to hear about the other two.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)