1 Peter 1:13-25
Peter opens this letter with a gushing torrent of exultation in the gospel (vv 1-12). There’s lots of amazing stuff in those opening paragraphs, but it leaves us begging to know what to do with all this glorious truth. Happily, he gets right to the point with two broad categories of application: 1) think a certain way and 2) act a certain way.
How to THINK: Prepare your mind for action (v 13). Be sober-minded (v 13). Set your hope on the future that is yours in Christ (v 13). Remember that your Father is also the impartial Judge of the universe (v 17). Know that Christ bought a new way of life for you with His precious blood (vv 18-19). Because of Christ’s resurrection and glory, trust and hope in God (v 21).
How to ACT: Be an obedient child (v 14). Be holy (vv 15-16). Live in reverence (v 17). Obey the truth (v 22). Love each other (v 22).
And just to make sure that we don’t get the idea that we ought to run out and just do it in our own strength, Peter brackets the entire exhortation with the gospel. We need to remember that these applications flow out from the glorious gospel he’s just described in verses 1-12.
The chapter concludes with a reorientation to the gospel once again. Peter goes to great lengths to make sure we know that this holy lifestyle—particularly our love for one another (v 22)—comes from a heart made pure and clean by being born again through the living and abiding word (vv 23-24). What word? The good news—literally, the gospel (v 25)!
Interesting side note worth exploring some time: Peter has a little running contrast going between “imperishable” things and “perishable” things in this chapter (cf. vv 4, 7, 19, 23). Definitely worth thinking about further…
How to THINK: Prepare your mind for action (v 13). Be sober-minded (v 13). Set your hope on the future that is yours in Christ (v 13). Remember that your Father is also the impartial Judge of the universe (v 17). Know that Christ bought a new way of life for you with His precious blood (vv 18-19). Because of Christ’s resurrection and glory, trust and hope in God (v 21).
How to ACT: Be an obedient child (v 14). Be holy (vv 15-16). Live in reverence (v 17). Obey the truth (v 22). Love each other (v 22).
And just to make sure that we don’t get the idea that we ought to run out and just do it in our own strength, Peter brackets the entire exhortation with the gospel. We need to remember that these applications flow out from the glorious gospel he’s just described in verses 1-12.
The chapter concludes with a reorientation to the gospel once again. Peter goes to great lengths to make sure we know that this holy lifestyle—particularly our love for one another (v 22)—comes from a heart made pure and clean by being born again through the living and abiding word (vv 23-24). What word? The good news—literally, the gospel (v 25)!
Interesting side note worth exploring some time: Peter has a little running contrast going between “imperishable” things and “perishable” things in this chapter (cf. vv 4, 7, 19, 23). Definitely worth thinking about further…
posted by Josh @ 6:14 PM
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