A Patient and Obedient Faith (1Pe 1)
Intro: A Book for the Practical Challenges of the Christian Life
The Bible is intensely interested in the practical problems faced by those who must navigate through this world. Peter doesn't write for 'balconeers,' for onlookers with no vested interest. Peter writes for travelers.
Exposition
The Context: 'Grieved by Various Trials' (1:6)
See 2:12, 3:16, 4:3-4. Also see 3:9, 3:14, 4:15-16.
Application: This is startlingly relevant for us.
1. We do find a rising tide of anti-Christian hostility.
In all areas of life, Christians face shame and misrepresentation and ridicule.
2. We are being pressured to conform primarily in our practice.
See 4:4, 3:16.
Peter's emphasis: 'For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness.' (see 1:14, 2:11, 3:16, 4:1-4, 5:8-9). We face the same kinds of societal pressures to conform, for example 3:3-6 on modesty and submission.
3 We find this pressure in the church.
2Pe 2-3. See Titus 1:3.
First remedy: We need a clear vision of a great and holy God.
1:14-15, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' If we can bless our holy God in the midst of trial, we've already won the victory. This is the medicine Peter prescribes. Verse 21, 'Believe in God ... your faith and hope are in God' (see 1:23, 2:12, 2:15, 2:17, 3:15, 4:2, 4:11, 5:6, 5:10-11, etc).
Conclusion
'In Russia, Christians are tested by hardship, but in America you are tested by freedom. And testing by freedom is much harder.. You relax and are not so concentrated on Christ, on His teaching, how He wants you to live' (Pavel Poloz, exiled from Russian in 1987). |
