CrossSites Bible Study

Opening Thoughts

Our culture is becoming more and more secular. Quickly disappearing are the Judeo-Christian beliefs that were at the heart of the founding of our country. As the culture becomes more secular it is looking more like the culture to which Peter is writing. True believers today are facing many of the same trials that these early Christians were facing. More and more believers are being cancelled from the public square.

In verses 3-12, Peter reminded us what we have in Christ as believers. He told us about the new birth, our hope in eternity because of Jesus’ resurrection and the wonderful inheritance that has been prepared for us in heaven. As believers we enjoy protection from this culture because of the salvation that we have in Jesus.

 Peter having discussed our wonderful position in Jesus Christ issues a challenge to believers to live a separated and holy life. If we are going to truly have an impact on our culture we are going to have to live lives that are going to be strange to the culture. The time has come that those who name the name of Christ live in the light of Christ’s sacrifice.

Preparation for Purposeful Purity

1 Peter 1:13–16 (ESV)

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.”

The King James translates “prepare your minds” as “gird up the loins of your mind” Peter used a Middle Eastern phrase “gird up your loins” which referred to the custom of men who were wearing long, flowing robes. When they were preparing to run or to do physical work, they usually lifted their robes and secured them with a belt or girdle around their waist. This allowed them freedom of movement.

Peter is exhorting us to be proactive when it comes to preparing our minds for a life of holiness. Scientist have discovered that behavior is determined to a great extent by the subconscious mind. When working with computers there is a phrase “garbage in; garbage out” In the same way if we want to live holy lives it has to start with our preparing of the mind. Paul, in Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  If we are going to have any impact on our culture we are going have to have minds that are prepared and sober, ready to accomplish what it is that God has called us to do.

It is important to always remember that our hope lies not in the culture but in the grace that was brought to us when it was revealed to us who Jesus is. That revelation will be shown to us more fully when Jesus comes again. Peter is urging us to be self-disciplined, getting our minds ready for action.

Believers have never been called to just be passive in a cynical society. Jesus gave the church a mission in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20). We are called to go and make disciples and tell the world of the love and mercy of God. This can only happen if we have prepared minds that are focused on the Word of God. Like soldiers that prepare for battle and athletes that prepare for a competition, we must daily prepare for completing the “Great Commission.”

 1 Peter 1:14  Peter reminds us that we must be like obedient children and conform to our new life in Christ. Obedient is translated from a word meaning “to hear and act on what one hears. Peter reminds us that we are to be obedient to our calling in Christ. Like children who are to keep obeying their fathers, we are to keep obeying our Heavenly Father, especially with regard to His call to holiness.

1 Peter 1:16 “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  God is Holy. He is completely set apart from all that is sinful, unrighteous, or morally corrupt. Since we have been called to serve a holy God, we too are to be holy in all our conduct. Everything we do or say is to demonstrate we have been set apart to the service of Him who is holy. We are to exhibit the traits of those set aside from all that is sinful, unrighteous, or corrupt.

You can learn to be holy by creating a habit of daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word. Let His truth guide your thoughts and actions, helping you to live a life that reflects His holiness. When you encounter difficulties or uncertainties, seek God’s wisdom through prayer and Scripture.

Price of Precious Redemption

1 Peter 1:17–21 (ESV)

¹⁷ 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, ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you ²¹ who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The next logical question would be “Why should I practice this Holy Living?”  Peter answers that question in 1 Peter 1:17-21. Simply put it is because of the price that was paid for our redemption.

Peter encourages us to be like obedient children when it comes to our desire to follow in our Lord’s pattern. He held out the example of Jesus, who was holy. If Jesus, who called us out of the world was holy, then we should be holy, not merely in our spiritual activities but in all our conduct.

Peter proceeds explain why we are to live holy lives. We are to live holy lives because of the nature of our salvation. Our salvation calls us to holy living due to four distinct truths

First, we are to live holy lives because our time here on earth is short. Peter says we are to conduct ourselves with reverence because this is our temporary residence, heaven is our permanent home. The short few years we live on this earth are nothing compared to the rest of eternity in heaven. Being aware of this truth should compel us to want live holy lives that glorify God and work to build the kingdom.

Secondly, we are called to live holy lives because of the price that was paid for our redemption. The original readers of Peter’s letter knew what it meant to be set free from a life of total depravity, The Roman culture much like ours was about idolatry and immorality. We have been redeemed from our sin. The price that was paid was more precious than silver or gold. When we were saved we were bought out of sin’s slavery by the blood of Christ. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom from sin with His own life, which He laid down at Calvary. The sinless Son of God gave His life as payment for the redemption of our sin.

Thirdly, we are called to live holy lives because of the splendor of God’s action on our behalf. From the foundation of the world God had a plan for our salvation. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our salvation was no afterthought on God’s part. God knew that man would rebel against Him. But God still wanted to have a restored relationship with man. So before He ever created man He had a plan to redeem sinful humanity through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Lastly, we are called to live holy lives because of the power of God. When God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to glory He demonstrated His power over death. God’s raising Jesus from dead proved that what Jesus had said or implied about being the Son of God was true. It also provided divine proof of Jesus’ Deity. This demonstration of God’s power means that we can confidently put our trust in Him as the One who raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 4:24) and gave Jesus a share of His glory.

 When we are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life and the uncertainties of the future. Remember that God has redeemed us with the precious blood of Christ. We should take time each day to reflect on God’s sacrifice for our salvation, and let His love and grace strengthen and comfort us in all situations.

Permanence of Perserving Love

1 Peter 1:22-25 (ESV)

²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ²³ since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴ for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Peter having told us why we should live holy lives, now tells us how we should live those holy lives.

Our new life in Christ is to be characterized by obedience to the truth of God’s Word and brotherly love for each other. It is important that we have a vertical faith in God and still live horizontally in love with one another. Particularly in the light of the opposition that comes from nonbelievers, we and other Christians must love and support one another.

When we are born again we have a new life. This new life is not from perishable seed of our natural or physical birth. But it is from imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God, the gospel. This means our salvation is permanent and can never be taken from us.

Peter goes on to quotes Isaiah 40:6-8 to support his point. In the Old Testament context the prophet proclaimed God’s promise to bring deliverance to His suffering people. Those causing the suffering could not stand against God’s power. Their dominance was like the grass or a flower, temporary and brief. Unlike the things of this world that will perish, God’s Word is eternal and will never perish.

In a world where trends and fads constantly change, we must ground ourselves in the unchanging Word of God as described in 1 Peter 1:24-25. Let go of the pursuit of material possessions and temporary pleasures that fade away. Instead, focus on building eternal treasures in heaven by investing in relationships, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.

Application

Living as exiles in a secular society, you may feel pressured to conform to the patterns of the world. Instead, intentionally surround yourself with fellow believers who will encourage and support you in your journey of faith. Spend time daily in prayer and the study of God’s Word. Cultivate a “reverential awe” toward God. Remember you are only a temporary resident of earth…. your home is in heaven!

Suggested Resources

• Barclay, William. 2003. The Letters of James and Peter. 3rd ed. fully rev. and updated. The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
• Barnes, Albert. 1884–1885. Notes on the New Testament: James to Jude. Edited by Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son.
• Barton, Bruce B. 1995. 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.
• Cedar, Paul A., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. 1984. James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude. Vol. 34. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.
• Courson, Jon. 2003. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
• Evans, Tony. 2019. The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
• Grudem, Wayne A. 1988. 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 17. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• Hindson, Ed, and Elmer L. Towns. 2013. Illustrated Bible Survey: An Introduction. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic.
• Landrum, Eli. 2016. Explore the Bible: Adult Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter, Jude (Fall 2016). LifeWay Christian Resources.
• Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. 1 Peter–Jude. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
• MacArthur, John F., Jr. 2004. 1 Peter. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Publishers.
• Mangum, Douglas, ed. 2020. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• Manser, Martin, ed. 2018. The New Testament Page by Page. Open Your Bible Commentary. Creative 4.
• Spurgeon, Charles. 2014. Spurgeon Commentary: 1 Peter. Edited by Elliot Ritzema and Jessi Strong. Spurgeon Commentary Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• McGee, J. Vernon. 1997. Thru the Bible Commentary. Electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
• Walls, David, and Max Anders. 1999. I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude. Vol. 11. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. 1992. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. 1996. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. Wright, Tom. 2011. Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John and Judah. For Everyone Bible Study Guides. London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox Press.