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…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Written to be Holy 1 Peter 1:16

As Peter the apostle continued his letter to the Christians who were “scattered”, he instructed them to “be holy in all manner of conversation” which means in every area of their lives. In chapter one and verse sixteen, Peter gave the reason they should “be holy” where we read:

Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy.

The verse begins, “Because it is written,...” Peter began with the word, “Because” which means “on account of, that, inasmuch as, for and therefore” “it is written” or “to delineate or form letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material” which refers to the scriptures. Peter's reference is to the “written” word of God, the Bible.

The verse continues, “...Be holy; for I am holy.” Peter goes on to say, “Be holy” which means “become, come into existence, begin to be, happen and appear in history as sacred in physical pureness, moral blameless and ceremonial consecration” “for” or “that, because and since” “I am holy” which refers to “God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” and means “Who is sacred both in physical pureness, moral blameless and ceremonial consecration”. Peter referred to the book of Leviticus in chapter eleven and verse forty four, chapter nineteen verse two, and chapter twenty and verse seven where the Lord instructed the people of Israel to “by holy” as He “is holy”.

When we consider Peter's words, his standard may seem higher than is possible for us to obtain, and yet, it is the standard. The Lord's desire for us is to be like Him, and He “is holy”. Let us understand that the only way this is possible is for Him to put holiness within us. We should aspire to be “like God” in all our ways, and when we fail to meet that standard, let us rejoice in the “grace” or “unmerited favor” of our Lord Jesus Christ which is always available.

Next time Peter tells the Christians to “to pass” their “time” here “in fear”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Be Holy 1 Peter 1:15

As Peter the apostle continued to exhort the Christians who were “scattered”, he told them to be “as obedient children, not fashioning” themselves “according to the former” desires which they indulged in while ignorant. In chapter one and verse fifteen of his letter, Peter told the Christians to “be holy in all manner of conversation” where we read:

But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation;

The verse begins, “But as he which has called you is holy,...” Peter began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction which means what is about to be stated has precedence over what was just written, “moreover, nevertheless and notwithstanding” “as he which has called” or “” “you” which refers to the Christians “is holy” or “sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially consecrated”. Not only were the “scattered Christians” to be as “obedient children”, but they were to be “sacred, pure and morally blameless” as well.

The verse goes on to say, “...so be you holy in all manner of conversation;” Peter went on to say, “so be you holy” or “sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially consecrated” “in all manner of conversation” or “manner of life, conduct, behavior or deportment”. Peter's idea was to be “sacred, pure and morally blameless” in all of their living and behavior.

When we think through Peter's words, we understand how we are to live every area of our lives in a manner that is “sacred and pure”. There is no room for any other behavior than this, and the standard is indeed high. Yet, Jesus requires and expects this to be our norm, and when we fail to meet it, we must come to Him in repentance and change. May the Lord help us know the importance of being aligned with His holy ways.

Next time Peter tells the Christians to “be holy in all manner” of living, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

As Obedient Children 1 Peter 1:14

Peter the apostle wrote to the Christians who were “scattered” and told them to “gird up the loins” of their “mind”, and to “be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto” them. In chapter one and verse fourteen, Peter encouraged the Christians to be “as obedient children” where we read:

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

The verse begins, “As obedient children,...” Peter began with the phrase, “As obedient” or “complying and submissive” “children” which refers to “the offspring and the name transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust, just as between parents and children”. Peter desired for the Christians who were “scattered” to be like unto compliant and submissive children to their parents.

The verse goes on to say, “...not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” Peter continued with the words, “not fashioning yourselves according to” which means “conforming themselves to another's pattern” “the former” or “prior or beforetime” “lusts” which means “desires, cravings, longings and desire for what is forbidden” “in your ignorance” or “lack of knowledge especially of divine things and of moral blindness”. In other words, Peter desired for Christians to conform themselves to the pattern the Lord Jesus gave them and to forsake the “former desires” in which they engaged while they were morally blind.

When we consider Peter's words, we see the importance of “forsaking” our former sinful lives to live after the ways of God. Peter knew if the Christians were going to enjoy the “grace” and “salvation” the Lord Jesus will reveal, they needed to put their past lives behind them. May the Lord Jesus help us know when we need to leave our past behind and follow after His was “as obedient children”.

Next time Peter tells the Christians to “be holy in all manner” of living, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ;download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Gird Up Your Mind and Hope 1 Peter 1:13

Peter told the Christians who were “scattered” that “the prophets searched diligently for” and “the angels” “desired to look into” the salvation which the Christians experienced personally. This promise was not only for the early Christians who were “scattered”, but also for us. In light of this knowledge, in chapter one and verse thirteen of his letter, Peter charged these Christians to “gird up the loins of” their “minds” where we read:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The verse begins, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,...” Peter began with the word, “Wherefore” which means “therefore or on account of” “gird up” or “prepare like unto those who bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt” “the loins” which refers to “the place where the Hebrews though the generative power resided” “of your mind” or “the faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring and way of thinking”, “be sober” which means “calm, collected, temperate, dispassionate and circumspect”. Because these “scattered” Christians received theå the prophets and angels desired to understand, Peter challenged them to keep their minds in a clam, collected and temperate state.

The verse goes on to say, “...and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” Peter continued with, “and hope” or “waiting with joy and full confidence” “to the end” which refers to “perfectly and completely” “for the grace” which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness and unmerited favor” “that is to be brought” or “carried, moved by bearing, conveyed, borne and upheld” “unto you” which refers to “the Christians who were scattered” “at the revelation” or “manifestation and appearance” “of Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. In addition to being prepared and clam in their minds, Peter desired for them to “wait with full joy and confidence” for the “unmerited favor” of God to be revealed with Jesus appeared again.

When we meditate upon Peter's words, we understand the responsibility we have as specially designated representatives of Jesus Christ. The prophets and angels wanted to realize the “salvation” we enjoy, and since we have the privilege of experiencing it, we should now prepared our minds, be collective and circumspect, and always have “hope for the grace” which Jesus Christ will bring to us when He comes again. May the Holy Spirit of God help us to know just what a great “salvation” we have, and may we always live in a manner which is pleasing to Him.

Next time Peter shares how we are to be as “obedient children”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ;download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Gospel the Angels Desired to Look Into 1 Peter 1:12

Peter told the Christians who were “scattered abroad”, the prophets “enquired and searched diligently” about the “salvation” they knew. This “salvation” involved “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow”, and in chapter one and verse twelve of his letter, Peter went on to add that “the angels desire to look into” this “gospel” where we read:

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The verse begins, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things,...” Peter began with the words, “Unto whom” or “for who, one or some” “it was revealed” which means “uncovered, laid open what has been veiled or covered up, disclosed, made bare and manifest”, “that not unto themselves” which refers to “the prophet who enquired and searched diligently for this salvation”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means “moreover, in addition, also, now and it declares what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just stated” “unto us” which refers to “Peter and the Christians to whom he is writing” “they did minister” which means “serve with, attend to, wait upon, render and supply” “the things” or “their ideas and writings”. Though the prophets desired to know about the “salvation” of which they wrote, they actually were writing these things for people who would receive them in the future.

The verse continues, “...which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven;” Peter went on to say, “which” or “that or what” “are now reported” which in the Greek is the phrase “anaggellō nyn anaggellō” and means “announced, made know, reported and rehearsed” “unto you” which refers to “the Christians who were scattered” “by them that have preached the gospel” which means “the ones who have declared, announced, brought and proclaimed the good news and glad tidings” “unto you” which refers to “the Christians who were scattered” “with the Holy” or “most sacred, pure, morally, religiously and ceremonially blameless” “Ghost” which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son” “sent down” or “ordered, appointed and dismissed” “from heaven” which means “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. The early preachers of “the gospel” declared the “salvation” plan of God, and the people to whom Peter wrote were the recipients of their words.

Finally the verse says, “which things the angels desire to look into.” Peter ended this verse by writing, “these things” which again refers to “the ideas and writings of the gospel of salvation” “the angels” or “messengers from God” “desire” which means “long for, covet and seek for” “to look into” or “look at with the head bowed forward, body bent and stooped”. The idea was “the angels” looked carefully into and inspected curiously about “these things” of which the prophets wrote and the Christians knew first hand.

When we think about Peter's words, we begin to understand the significance of this “gospel” of which was “preached”. The prophets declared it, but did not fully understand what they proclaimed, and “the angels” knew of it, but leaned forward in close inspection to discover what it meant. This should excite us. We get to experience “the gospel” of “salvation” through “the Holy Spirit of God”, and we know what the prophets declared and the angels desired to know. God Almighty had and has a great plan of “salvation” for all of mankind, and though the prophets did not know what they were declaring, and the angels sought to understand it, it was the Lord God who knew “salvation” through His Son Jesus was going to give people the opportunity to be in a relationship with Him again. Bless the Lord for His wonderful provision of “the gospel”, and may everyone who reads these words understand what a blessing it is for us to be born in this time of revelation.

Next time Peter shares how we are to react to the gospel which we know, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ;download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Spirit of Christ 1 Peter 1:11

As Peter continued his letter to the Christians who were "scattered abroad" he told them the salvation they enjoyed was inquired and searched for by "the prophets" who prophesied of this "grace" before they experienced for themselves. In chapter one and verse eleven of his letter, Peter shared more about the prophets desires as he wrote concerning "the Spirit of God" and “the sufferings of Christ” where we read:

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

The verse begins, "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify". Peter began with the words, “searching what" or "examining or seeking to, for, towards and among", "or what manner" which means "what sort or way" "or time" which refers to "due measure or measure of time" "the Spirit" which refers to "the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son" "of Christ" or “the anointed One and the Messiah who is the Son of God” "which was in them" or "by, with and among the prophets" "did signify" or "make manifest, known and understood". The prophets were seeking to discover the timing and significance of “the Spirit of Christ” which was within them.

The verse goes on to say, "when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." Peter began with the phrase, "when it testified beforehand" which means "antetestor, make known in advance or predict" "the sufferings" which means “that which one suffers both externally and internally, an affliction or enduring passion” "of Christ" or “the anointed One and the Messiah who is the Son of God”, "and the glory" or "opinion, judgment, view and estimate" "that should follow" which is the Greek phrase “meta tauta” and means "after this or after these things". Peter knew the prophets had “testimony” that Jesus Christ would suffer first and then be glorified.

When we meditate upon these words of Peter, we can almost picture the mental fog that was within the prophets concerning the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ. They knew within themselves concerning “the Spirit of Christ”, however they were not certain of that which they felt inside themselves. We have the advantage of knowing what Jesus did for us as He died upon the cross and was raised from the dead three days later. This provision for our salvation was what the prophets desired to know, but it was preserved for us today. As we think on these things, let us rejoice in the blessing the Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us that was previously hidden from some of the greatest prophets who ever lived.

Next time Peter shares how this revelation was not to the prophets but “unto us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ;  download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.