1 Peter 1
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: 1 Peter 1
Today, we start the book of 1 Peter! As we walk through this great book, allow the ESV Study Bible to set the stage for what we will be seeing:
In chapter 1, we are met with two main themes: having hope in the suffering of persecution, and pursuing personal holiness because of the holiness of God.
Verses 6-9 stand out to me from the first section:
It helps put suffering in context: suffering is meant to test and grow our faith, making us more like Christ.
Then read again these words from verses 13-16:
Keep in mind that of all the things that are important to remember in the midst of suffering and persecution that Peter could have talked about, he chose to talk about holiness. Even in trials, the goal is to submit to and obey the Word of God in order to bring honor and glory to him.
What stood out to you from 1 Peter 1?
By: Graham Withers
Read: 1 Peter 1
Today, we start the book of 1 Peter! As we walk through this great book, allow the ESV Study Bible to set the stage for what we will be seeing:
Those who persevere in faith while suffering persecution should be full of hope, for they will certainly enjoy end-time salvation since they are already enjoying God’s saving promises here and now through the death and resurrection of Christ.
In chapter 1, we are met with two main themes: having hope in the suffering of persecution, and pursuing personal holiness because of the holiness of God.
Verses 6-9 stand out to me from the first section:
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (ESV)
It helps put suffering in context: suffering is meant to test and grow our faith, making us more like Christ.
Then read again these words from verses 13-16:
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (ESV)
Keep in mind that of all the things that are important to remember in the midst of suffering and persecution that Peter could have talked about, he chose to talk about holiness. Even in trials, the goal is to submit to and obey the Word of God in order to bring honor and glory to him.
What stood out to you from 1 Peter 1?
By: Graham Withers
8 Comments
1 Peter 1:7 teaches several important principles about trouble:
1) trouble does not last (“little while”);
2) trouble serves a purpose (“if necessary");
3) trouble brings turmoil (“distressed”);
4) troubld comes in various forms (“trials”); and
5) trouble should not diminish the Christian's joy (“greatly rejoice”).
So true, Korbet. It is so hard to see trials—enduring ones—as a recipe for joy, of all things. They produce toughness, determination, make us empathetic, encouraging, etc; but joyful?! Everything is so different in God’s economy. As Nick noted, the genuineness of our faith is evident in trials. The evidence of that genuine faith is joy, but toughness, resilience, grit, but joy. Wow.
Good thoughts Peter!
That'll preach!
“temporary residents”
These two words spoke to me this morning! As we endure trials that stretch our faith and grow us in Christ, we must never forget that we are mere sojourners on this Earth. We have an eternal home awaiting after we fight the good fight and finish the race. Having completed six decades of life, this becomes more of a reality to me with each passing year. I am inspired by all the young families we have at CPC who are pursing Jesus and bringing their children up in the faith. I’m reminded of the old hymn we sang frequently at my home church.
When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.
Thanks for the encouragement today Graham.
What stood out to me this morning was the line in verse seven “ so that the tested genuineness of your faith…”
We have to test everything to see if it’s genuine or not. This is why when you try to sell something to someone they want to bring it an expert to test it to make sure it’s real. Trials test us and our faith. They don’t test us to show God who we are, God already knows but they test us to show us who we are and to sanctify us.
“…they test us to show who we are…” Wow never really thought about that! Love it, gives me a completely different perspective on suffering.
Verses 6-9 really stood out to me.
I have had a hard time coping with the fact that some people endure more suffering in this world than others. It just feels unfair, especially for people whose entire lives seem to be one big string of trials. But these verses give me hope because it tell us that…“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
1 Peter 1:7 NLT
So more trials, more honor to have gone through them when we get to where we were meant to be in heaven! This helps me to take heart on behalf of my own suffering and the suffering of my friends and family that I witness.