Saturday 24 May 2014

Read: 1 Peter 1:13-21

If we have faith in Jesus Christ then we are made totally holy by His perfect sacrifice. In the sight of God all our sin, past, present and future, has been totally dealt with by Jesus. So what now? Are we free to live absolutely however we want? Is all this talk about a holy God, living holy lives, trembling in righteous fear before God and being pure inside and out only relevant to those who lived before the sacrifice of Jesus? Are we free to ignore everything that we have talked about over the rest of the week and do whatever we want? NO WAY!

Peter actually writes about this in 1 Peter 1. He has just talked about the hope that we have in Christ and the salvation that we have through Jesus' death and resurrection. Rather than tell his readers to sit back, relax and enjoy this new found holiness he calls them to action. This action is not in order to gain salvation by some method of works-based righteousness. Instead it flows out of the salvation and hope that they have in Christ. That is why Peter begins with the word therefore.

Notice some of the actions that he calls the people to. He commands them to prepare their minds for action, to be self controlled, to set their hope fully on God's grace and to not conform to any evil desires. Notice especially his command in verse 15: "But just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am Holy."

Christian's aren't let off the holiness hook. Instead, because of the new relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ we are called to be holy just as God is Holy. This pursuit of holiness flows out of the character of God and the relationship we now enjoy with Him. Our heart is changed by the relationship that we have with God and He empowers us to strive for holiness in our lives.

Finally, notice verse 17. Because we worship the Holy God who will judge each man's work we are to live our lives "as strangers here in reverent fear." The work of Christ frees us from fear of God's eternal judgment and condemnation but we still serve a holy and all powerful God. We are to live in reverent and righteous fear of such an incredible God as we live out our lives.

Let us praise our God for all that He has done for us as we live out our lives before Him in reverent fear and strive to be holy as He is Holy.

Discussion Questions for families and groups

1. What do you think it means to live life "as a stranger here?"
2. What would it look like for a Christian to live in reverent fear of God?
3. Notice verse 13. What does Peter mean when he commands us to "prepare your minds for action?"
4. What does Peter mean when he commands "be self controlled?"
5. What does Peter mean when he commands "set your hope fully on the grace given to you?"

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

• Pray that God would stir in your heart and in the hearts of all in your church a passion to be holy as He is Holy. Pray that He would reveal to you areas of sinfulness in your life and strengthen you to overcome them.
• Pray for the gathering of believers in your church tomorrow. Pray that the word would be faithfully preached and that it would change hearts and minds. Pray that the worship would be passionate and heartfelt. Pray that you might be able to encourage and stir each other on towards love and good deeds.