Thu, 24 November, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

1 Peter 1:1-2

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

In the first verse of 1 Peter, we find the statement that Peter is the author of this letter. It is a simple statement that went virtually unchallenged until the nineteenth century. There really aren’t any good objections to the statement that the Apostle Peter wrote this letter, despite what the modern critics say, and so we will accept the statement from verse 1.

Peter goes on in this letter to encourage the people of the dispersion to continue in faith, obedience and patience in suffering.

Based on what you know about Peter from the Gospels, you might find it surprising that Peter would be the author of a letter encouraging people to faith, obedience, and patience in suffering. Peter is well known for his failings. In particular, we often see him displaying a lack of faith, and impatience. When Jesus told the disciples about his coming sufferings and crucifixion, Peter rebuked him. Later, Peter openly denied Jesus three times during Jesus’ trial by the Sanhedrin.

Yet now, a more mature Peter is telling us to learn the lesson he learned. Faith, obedience, and patience.

What do we learn from this?

Peter made some major mistakes in his life. Let me say it more plainly. Peter sinned grievously. Yet God was able to work with Peter and bring him through these sins. God was still able make use of Peter.

First of all, this teaches us that we can learn from those who are more mature in the faith. Peter is teaching us, and we can learn from the experience he gained. Others have suffered through the same kinds of weaknesses and temptations that we are now suffering, and they can encourage us and help us to grow in our maturity and sanctification. They can help us to avoid sin, and to seek God’s forgiveness when we do sin.

But also, not only can God use others to help bring me through my own immaturity and sinfulness, but He can work within my life to bring me to the place that I can help and encourage others in those same areas that have been problems in my life. As I grow in the faith, I can help others, just as others are currently helping me. Just as Peter is pointing us to perservere in faith, obedience and patience in suffering, so too can we encourage those younger than ourselves in the faith in the areas we struggle with.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Peter tells us the reason we have been saved: for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. Peter tells us that we’ve been chosen by the Father and we are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit so that we will be obedient to Jesus Christ.

As we grow in sanctification, we are growing in obedience to Jesus Christ.