ByContinuing Study-Scripture articles for the first Epistle of Peter this week, I want us to consider 1 Peter 1:17-21, where Apostle Peter tells us to pay attention to how we manage our lives as children of God living as foreigners on Earth. If you’ve not read my previous posts on 1st Peter, you can check them out here to get an overview of today’s article.
Verse 17
[17] “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;”
1 Peter 1:17 (NKJV)
To me, 1 Peter 1:17 is both a warning and an encouragement for us. Because the first epistle of Peter was addressed to Christian pilgrims in different parts of the world facing fierce persecution for the gospel (see 1 Peter 1:1-2).
Despite their suffering as well as us, Peter reminds us to conduct ourselves throughout their stay on Earth in reverent fear.
No matter the persecutions you face for the cause of the gospel today, never forget:
- To call upon the name of the Lord
- God judges each man’s work (pertaining to His kingdom in any sphere of influence) without partiality.
Your stay in this world is temporary, and God knows that. But before you exit the physical world, be determined to fulfil your divine mandate by focusing on working it out with great intentionality as God guides you. That is what it means to handle your life with reverent fear. Be intentional at acknowledging God in all that you do.
Before you exit the physical world, be determined to fulfil your divine mandate by focusing on working it out with great intentionality as God guides you.
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Verses 18-21 give us more tangible reasons why you should conduct yourself throughout your stay on Earth in reverent fear. Let’s dive in.
Verse 18
“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,”
1 Peter 1:18 (NKJV)
So the main reason why you should live a careful life unto God on Earth is that God didn’t redeem you from your aimless conduct (received by tradition from your predecessors) with corruptible or perishable things, like silver or gold. That implies two things.
1. Silver and gold are perishable
Therefore, your faith in Christ is worth more than they (see 1 Peter 1:7). Don’t compare your life, child of God, to that of a rich man, whether you have physical wealth or not. The God in you is more precious than all the wealth in this world.
2. Evil ways of living are usually passed from one generation to the other
No one lives a good life with automation. Everybody’s life is affected by how he got raised at home, including Christians. That is why even after you get saved, God still works in you to transform your mind (see Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:2), so you can reach the spiritual growth level where you can think and make decisions just like Him.
Therefore as God’s child, be intentional about marrying a good spouse, in the Lord, who’ll help you raise godly kids for the perpetuity of Christ in your lineage.
Verse 19
“but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
1 Peter 1:19 (NKJV)
Verse 19 tells us what God used to redeem us, and it’s even confirmed in 1 Corinthians 6:20. It is, the precious blood of Christ.
You were a sinner before you came to know God. But sin can’t be forgiven without atonement in the realm of the immortals. So God sent Jesus Christ to die for you and pay your debt of sin (see John 1:29) using Christ’s blood. Hence, by this sacrifice, He purchased you with His blood (see Isaiah 53:7, Romans 3:25). You’re not your own; you’re God’s property.
Jesus – the lamb, was without blemish and spot
Another reason God’s ownership over your life is without error is that Jesus – the lamb, was without blemish and spot when He died for you. There was no trace of sin on Him when He was dying for you until He was made sin (by carrying the sin of all people on the cross) for us to become God’s righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 5:21).
Verse 20-21
“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you [21] who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
1 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)
Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world
Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world (see also Revelation 13:8). So long before Adam and Eve sinned in Eden, God had Jesus in mind. That is why the enemy can never win against God in anything. What he plans today had already been seen and rectified by God before manifesting physically.
The enemy can never win against God in anything. What he plans today had already been seen and rectified by God before manifesting physically.
Jesus was manifest in these last times for you
Jesus was manifest in these last times for you – His child. He came for all but only gives power to those who believe on His name to become children of God (see John 1:12). If you are born again, then you’re part of those Jesus’ coming is benefiting. You’re His reason for His influence in the Earthly domain. Therefore, submit yourself wholly unto Him.
You believe in God through Jesus
It’s not surprising how what Jesus said in John 14:6 (NKJV), “… I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” is replicated indirectly in 1 Peter 1:21. Today, some people claim to serve God without Jesus. But I’m sorry, those people aren’t worshipping the God in the Bible, no matter their religion.
God raised Jesus from the dead (see Acts 2:24, Romans 10:9) and gave Him glory for His extreme humility while on Earth (see Philippians 2:7). All these were done to ensure that your faith and hope will be secure and unwavering in the Lord.
Child of God, fret not because of life’s circumstances. Hold on to the teachings of Christ you have and keep receiving. God will beautify your life. Trust in Him.
