Sojourning Here in Fear 1 Peter 1:17

As Peter continued to inspire the “scattered” Christians, he told them to “be holy” “because it is written, be you holy; for I am holy”. His reference was to the Lord God our Heavenly Father, and in chapter one and verse seventeen of his letter, Peter told them to “pass the time of” their “sojourning here in fear” where we read:

And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

The verse begins, “And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work,...” Peter began with the phrase, “And if you call on” or “put a name upon, surname, be named after someone or call something to one” “the Father” which refers to “generator or male ancestor who is the originator and transmitter of anything; it is a title of honor and refers to God who is called the Father”, “who without respect of persons” which means “impartial to anyone” “judges” which means “to separate, put asunder, pick out, select, choose, approve, esteem, prefer or be of the opinion” “according to” or “down from, through out, according to, toward and along” “every man's work” which refers to “each and every person's business, employment, act, deed or thing done”. Peter used the word “if” which is conditional, and for those to whom he is writing, they were to choose to “call on the Father”. However, they were also to understand that “the Father” is the ultimate One who chooses and selects people “according to” their works.

The verse goes on to say, “...pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” Peter added, “pass the time” or “turn upside down, overturn, turn hither and thither and to conduct one's self and behave one's self and live the designated, fixed or special occasion within a space of time” “of your sojourning” which means “dwelling or time of living here on earth” “here in” or “by, with, about and altogether” “fear” or “dread, terror or reference”. Because we are ones who call upon the Father we are also charge to “pass” our “time of sojourning” or temporary living here on earth in “awe, respect and reverence” of Jesus Christ.

When we think through Peter's words, we begin to understand this charge for those who “call on the Father”. We know the Lord does not have “respect of persons”, and he “approves and esteems” every person's work for exactly what it is. Because this is true, we should examine our lives and when we presume to be “surnamed” under Him, we should live our lives according to His ways rather than our own. May the Lord Jesus give us discernment for His perfect will.

Next time Peter tells the Christians how they are “not redeemed with corruptible things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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