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by Sandy Shaw
We have such privileges and that is why Peter goes on right away to speak of responsibilities. Privileges always bring responsibilities. We are reading in Peter’s first letter and in Chapter 1 at Verse 13 we come to these words - Prepare your minds for action.
Roll up the sleeves of your mind - think straight - know clearly what you believe and why. There comes that point where we have to take our faith in Jesus Christ very seriously. Peter did – as did the other apostles.
Be self-controlled - be sober - rational - reasonable.
Let no-one else control you - and nothing else control you.
Do not get intoxicated with fashionable ideas. We are not to adopt the latest opinions.
Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. We need an anchor. Here it is.
This one thing I know – Peter is saying to these disciples of Jesus who are having a very hard time - Jesus is coming back. How often is that proclaimed and preached and taught in these present times?
Verse 14 – Peter assumes that despite the hardships they are obedient children. Do not let your possessions or desires possess you.
A man was overheard saying to his paintings one day - "You make it so hard for me to die". We can be a slave to what we possess, or to what we desire.
When we came to Jesus Christ we changed bosses. We changed 'lords'. We no longer serve sin - but Jesus Christ.
Peter is teaching disciples of Jesus – We have become citizens of another kingdom – another world – and Peter is saying that we are exiles – strangers – aliens.
Peter is teaching us what it means to be the people of God.
If you were to become a citizen of the United States of America this is what you would have to say – “I hereby declare on oath that I Renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have been a subject or citizen.
If you loved your homeland and were now away from it, this is a massive commitment to make.
‘Abjure’ means – to reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, disclaim, spurn, drop, abnegate. That is strong – very strong – how does that compare with coming into the Kingdom of God?
Listen again to Peter speaking on the Day of Pentecost when those who truly heard what he was saying asked him – “What shall we do?”
Peter answered and replied – “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Peter is courageous and bold and clear and specific.
We become a citizen of another kingdom – a greater nation – and with a greater King – the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes things clash. We can even feel we upset people as the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin – but also – they challenge us even when we might be speaking about the Kingdom of God. We can make the lives of others uncomfortable.
Verse 15 – Then Peter speaks about being HOLY - being different. He Who called you is holy - so be holy in all that you do. What a challenge.
We are called to be like Father - to be like Dad.
He is not like other people. He certainly is different - and Peter teaches us - aim to be like HIM!
Our world does not need more clever men - or rich men - but it does need more godly men and women.
We are called in Christ Jesus to be holy or godly in the highest sense - not in some cartoonist fashion - but as God would make us and shape us.
Verse 17 will help us. If we get the right kind of fear - and right kind of love - we will live the right kind of life.
“Loving Father, as we read this letter of Peter and realise the privileges we have through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, help us to fulfil and carry out our responsibilities as citizens in the Kingdom of God. Holy Spirit, equip us for faithful and effective service. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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