Author: evangelist_breland

1 Peter 1:17-21

Apostle Peter informs us that children of God cannot live like the world before God Our Father. God commands commitment to holiness of believers. This is not our home; we are “strangers in this world, dwelling here as resident aliens.” Peter told these believers that if they call on the holy and impartial Father, the One who judges each man’s   work fairly while living on this earth, they are to conduct themselves in reverent fear (v.17). Our Father deserves our sincere imitation of His holiness; He has done so much for us; we just can’t tell it all.

Peter continued by stating that they know they were not redeemed with perishable things, like silver or gold. These perishables were the useless fruit of their spiritually unproductive way of life they inherited by tradition from their forefathers (v.18, AMP). They were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ – like a sacrificial lamb, unblemished and spotless (v.19). He was the ultimate and only effective sacrifice. Old Testament sacrifices were types of Christ. ^“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you” (v.20). God does all things in His appointed time for His divine purpose for man’s sake. Peter declared to these “strangers in the world” that God sent Jesus so that through Him they would believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him glory, so that their faith and hope are in God (v.21). Believers are required to trust God and commit to His holiness. Are you ready to commit to His holiness today? Give God a hand clap of praise.

Our heavenly Father has called His children to live in holiness – the state of being set apart or consecrated for service to Him. He is all-knowing and merciful and has never commanded us to do anything we are not able to do. Apostle Peter exhorted these dispersed  believers to prepare for their journey of faith: “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace (divine, unmerited favor) that is to be brought to you at the second coming of Jesus Christ” (v.13).

Peter went on to remind them that they are children of God (v.14); they have been born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God, which lives and abides forever (v. 23). Therefore, their conduct should be as obedient children, imitators of God the Father, walking in love as Christ Jesus has loved us and given His life for us. Believers are not to conform to their former lusts – their old evil ways – as when they were ignorant (v.14). Yes, before we accepted Christ, we were ignorant and rejected Him. Now that we are born again we should know better. We must refuse to return to our old way of living, perishing because of a lack of knowledge. 

Since He [God the Father] who called them is holy, they are to align with Him in all their manner of living (v.15), because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (v.16). What a gracious Father! He wants His children to be clothed with the beauty of His character. We are His children, and His Holy Spirit lives in us; therefore, there is no reason we cannot be like our Father. Is it not reasonable for God to expect His children to be holy? He commands: “Be holy, for I am holy.” Clap your hands and give God glory.

1 Peter 1:13-21, NKJV

Apostle Peter tells us in v.13: “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Children of God must gird up the loins of the mind both mentally and spiritually for this journey of faith. We are called to live holy. That means there will be trials. James 1:2 says: “… count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” So how do we gird up the loins of our mind? We must prepare our minds for action. Paul said: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind … “(Romans 12:2). Ephesians 4:22-24 (AMP): “Take off your  former corrupt nature (v.22), and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind (v.23), and put on the regenerated and renewed nature, created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth (v.24). Colossians 3:10 (AMP): “and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self.”

We are also commanded to be sober: characterized by self-control, seriousness, and sound moral judgment. Second Corinthians 5:13, KJV, uses sober to be in one’s right mind (Holman Bible Dictionary). We must awake to righteousness, and sin not (1 Corinthians 15: 34). Christians cannot be under the intoxicating influence of sin. Be awake and watchful. The devil, our adversary, is on the prowl as a roaring lion, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).

Lastly v.13 commanded us that Christians are to fix their hope completely on the blessing of God’s divine favor of salvation to be received when the Messiah is revealed. Our Father has called believers to action – live in holiness. Will you accept His call today? Give God glory and a hand clap of praise!

Galatians 5:22-26, NKJV

The church is not to walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. We must manifest spiritual lives, bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love is the remedy to keep out jealousy and resentment. Love encourages and edifies. It is the first characteristic of God of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (v.22), gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (v.23). And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (v.24). If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (v.25). Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (v.26).”

Children of God have been crucified with Christ. He lives in us, and this life we are now living in the flesh is by faith in Him, who loved us and gave His life for us. The attitudes of jealousy and resentment are sinful acts of nature. They stir up evil intentions – desiring what someone else has, control of another, abuse, threat of violence, and etc.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother was angry because the father threw a welcome home celebration for the younger brother. The father came out and pleaded with his older son, but he refused to go in and join the celebration. His position was that he had always faithfully and obediently served his father but was never given him a young goat so he and his friends could celebrate. His attitude showed bitter jealousy toward his brother; he didn’t acknowledge him as his brother – “…this son of yours, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots…” He accused his father of showing favoritism – “…you killed the fatted calf for him” (Luke 15:30). He resented his younger brother for returning home and the father for graciously receiving him back. Do not become conceited like the older son. You may not have left the Father – so you think, but you are carrying jealousy and resentment around. One day it will surface. When you love, you must forgive. Let go; you have life through the Spirit. Do not allow jealousy and resentment to snuff out your life. Remember, you are the church.  

1 John 5:1-5, NKJV

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him” (v.1). The apostle said that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah or the Anointed One – is born of God; transformed by God and renewed in righteousness and true holiness (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 4:22-24). “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (I John 2:22). Everyone who loves the Father also loves His offspring. Verse two says we know we are born again because we love the Father and Jesus Christ and obey His commands. By our love and obedience to God, we know we love our spiritual siblings. The two prove that we know we are no longer spiritually dead. We are spiritually alive and love one another. Those who do not love remains in [spiritual] death (1 John 3:14).

God promises His commandments are not burdensome (v.3b). His yolk is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Our daily walk must reflect love and obedience; they go together. Jesus told His disciples if they loved Him, they would obey His Word. Our relationship with Christ must be true. John declares that whoever is born of God overcomes the world. Our faith is the victory that has overcome the world (v.4). Believers please God with faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (v.5)? Will you walk in love and obedience to overcome the world by faith in Jesus today?