Good Morning, Siblings!

Today’s readings are 1 Peter 1-5, the whole book

Read today’s Bible readings at BibleGateway by clicking here.

Rabbit Trails

The author of 1 Peter identifies himself in 1 Peter 1 as Peter, so that is an easy one.

This is a timely letter that could have easily been written to Believers today. It begins by reminding us of who we are in Messiah. We should begin each and every day with such a reminder.

  • Whose child are you?
  • How did you come to be called YHWH’s child?
  • What price was paid for this great inheritance and privilege of which you now benefit?
  • What should be your response to this magnificent love that has been shown to you?

If we begin our day, each day, answering these questions, it will no doubt affect our awareness of and obedience to our Father, the creator of all things, who has shown great mercy, love, and grace to each of us.

1 Peter 13 begins “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, being sober minded…

Y’all, these are serious times and we should be preparing for them. How do we do this? By reading, knowing, studying, and doing His word. We must live according to it. We must also be sober minded. The fact that you have been called to deep study of His word at this point in history is not something to take lightly. This passage continues…

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:14-19

We are to walk in obedience. It is simply impossible to read the word and not understand that clear directive. But further, we’ve been instructed throughout Scripture to turn from our fleshly passions.

This passage describes these passions as being something we succumbed to in our former ignorance. Once we know the one true God, once He has revealed Himself to us and we have been instructed on how we are to live, we cannot continue in these passions that we allowed ourselves to be led by in our former lives.

We are called to what? Holiness. We are called to be Holy because the one we serve is Holy and He teaches us how to obtain this status in His eyes, through His son. Peter continues to point out that Messiah ransomed us (redeemed us, freed us) from the bondage of the futile ways inherited from our forefathers. This was true for first generation Believers, tenth generation Israelites, and is just as true for us today. Our forefathers walked in futile ways if they did not live and walk according to the Word. We are a generation returning to the Father, awakening to tradition that stands in contradiction and no longer being able to cast aside questions as to why past generations excused living in contradiction to His word.

Why, if we call Him God, do we not treat Him as such? Why, if Messiah is our example of how to live according to the Word, do we not follow that example?

Ours is a generation that has been called by the Most High to separate ourselves from the world and return to Him so that He may return to us. We have answered that call and He has met us there. HalleluYah!

1 Peter 2:1-3   – If indeed we have tasted that the Lord is good, we will do these things. If we continue in malice, deceit, hypocrisy, and slander, we have clearly not tasted or do not wish to taste and see that the Lord is good. Some people prefer to install themselves as their own full time god and call YHWH in on a part time basis. It is easy, in this world, to convince ourselves that this is acceptable but the spiritual world, which lives in tandem with our own, is not fooled.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

In this context, the word being used for gentiles is ethnos and it is better thought of as unbelievers or heathens. Some Bibles even translate this as “pagans” but that word is a bit overused these days so I don’t use it very often. Either way, we are being reminded here that we are sojourners, this is not our home and as a result, it is guaranteed that we will not feel settled or comfortable here when we worship and follow the one true God. We are in a war zone and our God and His children are the enemy here. Therefore, we are to conduct ourselves at all times so that our behavior may glorify Him, knowing that the world has and continues to misrepresent our God and therefore we have a serious responsibility to correct misconceptions by living in accordance to his Word rather than to the world. Notice that this verse does not say “if they speak against you as evildoers” but “when”. We will be called out. This world is upside down, calling evil good and good evil.

1 Peter 2:15-17 We are free! But how do we use that freedom? 

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:15-17

How are we to use this freedom, this forgiveness of sin? Messiah instructs to “go and sin no more”. This verse tells us that we are to use our freedom to serve the Father.

Throughout history many have struggled with the whole “honor the emperor” thing. I mean, what if your leader is Hitler? Although the horrific Nazi movement of German Nationalism went under the guise of Christianity, what did true followers of YHWH do at that time? Many went underground, keeping their true beliefs and motivations silent in order to save as many of our Jewish brethren as possible from the evil befalling so many. No doubt, outwardly they had to show honor to and live in accordance with the governments parameters.

For anyone with this dilemma of how to live in an evil world while under an unjust or evil leader, 1 Peter 2:18-25 offers comfort and wisdom on how to go about this. Once more, following the example of our perfect Messiah.

1 Peter chapter 3 offers encouragement for those whose spouses are not believers, as well as more wisdom on how to best live as a believer in that situation.

1 Peter 3:15-17 became a key verse to me once I slowed down enough to read what it actually said.

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:15-17

So notice what is happening in the first sentence: Make a defense to anyone who asks…

This is not about standing on street corners yelling at folks that they are going to hell. This is about living your life according to the word, loving your neighbor, and being prepared to explain the hope within you when asked about it. Because if you live in this way, you will be asked. Further speaking against the street corner yellers is the end of this statement, which tells us to do so with gentleness and respect. 

Do you want to witness to the world? Do you want to lead folks to Messiah? Do you want to encourage people to turn from their ways and turn to the Father? Then you do it first. Follow Messiah. Turn from your ways. Turn to the Father’s ways. That will be an irresistible light that will mark the path for thousands.

Chapter 4 continues to speak on this and even points out in 1 Peter 4:4 that people will be surprised when you do not join them in their sin! Seriously, all you have to do is follow the Father, He will take care of the rest! He will bring you those opportunities to serve Him, to direct people to His word, to be His light in the world. We must focus on ourselves first. IF we live our life in accordance with His wisdom, we will advance the Kingdom of YHWH in ways we could never imagine.

2 Peter 4:8 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

We need our sins covered by love as much as anyone. We will be judged by the same stick we use to judge others so let us be quick to forgive the sins of our brother by our love.

I’ll end with this gem but I hope you take time to read this book carefully and highlight at least some of the wisdom you find within to apply to your life. I try to do so each time I read it.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11

We just finished another book! Rak Chazak!

Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21

We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!

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Christy Jordan
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