By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read 1 Peter 1:1-21
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
First, live in hope (1 Peter 1:1-12). The unsaved person is “without hope” (Ephesians 2:12); yet the believer has a living hope because he has a living Savior. Christ is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1), and we are to look for Christ’s soon return. The Christian does not work for this hope; it is a part of his spiritual birthright. We are born again (John 3:5) into this living hope.
This hope is not only a living hope; it is a lasting hope (verses 4-5). It is reserved in heaven, where it cannot decay, be defiled, or lose its beauty and delight. The believer is saved; the believer is being saved daily (through sanctification); and the believer will be saved completely when the Lord Jesus Christ returns (Romans 8:15-25). The end (completion, perfection) of our faith will be the complete salvation of the believer (verse 9), who will inherit a new body.
In verses 10-12, Peter reminds us that the OT prophets spoke of this salvation we enjoy. They did not, however, fully understand the time or circumstances in which it would appear. They saw the cross and the kingdom, but they did not anticipate the “valley” in between, this present age of the church.
Second, live in holiness (1 Peter 1:13-21). The blessed hope ought to make us live holy lives (1 John 3:1-3). We must “gather our thoughts” and not let them fly loose (see Exodus 12:11). Another motive for separated living is the commandment of the word (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:7). “Holy” does not mean sinless perfection, which is a condition impossible in this life anyway (1 John 1:8-10). It means set apart, separated unto God. If we are God’s children, then we ought to be like our Father.
Third, a third motive for holy living is the judgment of God (verse 17). God chastens his children today and tests their works at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1 & following). He has no “favorites” but treats all of his children alike.
Fourth, a fourth motive for dedicated living is the price Jesus Christ paid on the cross (verses 18-21). Before we were saved, our lives were empty and meaningless (“vain”—verse 18); but now they are full and happy through him. Our salvation was not purchased with money; it took the blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29). His death was planned by God ages before we ever were born; yet, God in his grace included us in his plan! How grateful we should be, and what better way is there for us to show our gratitude than to surrender our all to him (1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.
