We began 1 Peter today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, and I want to begin with verses 1-5:
1 Peter, an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. 3 Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
THIS is YOU if you have received JESUS as Lord and Saviour! Then HE lives in you by His Spirit, and YOU and IN HIM! AMEN! And all of this was foretold in the Old Testament! The prophets of old prophesied about the things that WE are now seeing come to pass! And they KNEW that it was not for them! Look at verses 10-12:
10 The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation. 11 They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them]. 12 It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!
WE are SO blessed to be living in the MOST exciting time in the history of creation! We are watching and waiting for the soon appearing of the Kings of all kings and the Lord of all lords! So how should we then act? Verses 13-16:
13 So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. 15 But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. 16 For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Now from past studies we KNOW that "holy" simply means to be separated from the world's way of doing and being right, and separated unto God and HIS way! It is agreeing with God and recognizing that HE is ALWAYS right! When we are at odds, HIS is the real TRUTH! So, change your mind to agree with God! THAT makes you HOLY! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "I Am WHo You Say I Am":
Shalom in Him!
