Holy, for I am Holy.

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” -1Peter:1:15-16 AMP

I love the word holy. Not as some unattainable goal but as a reminder that we are different because we have been born of the Spirit. Commensurate with this second birth is the idea that we have been set apart. Not as something better. But as something different. Not better rule followers. Better lovers. People filled with divine life and compassion.

In a real sense our lives are like that of Jesus himself. There was always something different about him. In mission, he was set apart. In character, he was love incarnate. In dying, he showed us forgiveness like no other. The life of Jesus explicitly shows us what it means to be holy. How could it not? He was born to show us what God is like.

Again I surrender Lord. To your will I lay down my own will. Empower holiness in me. That I might be like Jesus.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Prepare your minds for Action and exercise Self-control.

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. -1Peter 1:13-14 NLT

I have not heard the word backslide lately but it seems to be descriptive of the sentiment offered in verse 14. It is so easy to forget who we are and slide back into old habits. It is why Peter writes to us about preparing our minds. Exercising self-control requires the discipline that comes with preparation. A life of godly obedience does not happen by accident.

Yet apart from preparation, a godly life requires a hope that looks forward to a day when Jesus is revealed. A life of obedience is anchored in the hope that we will see Jesus. Either at the end of our life or at the end of the age. It is why we endure sufferings. Why we fight to overcome temptation. Our desire is to please him and not ourselves.

Breath on us Spirit of the Living God. That we might find the hope to prepare and the discipline to obey.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Not Serving Themselves but You

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you in regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who brought you the good news through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that even the angels desire to look into. -1Peter 1:12 ISV

I have been around spiritual gifts since the 70s. I first remember hearing prophetic words spoken in church in 1977. Yet I have never thought about what Peter writes here. Mostly folks who speak prophetically have a sense that they are serving God as they exercise this spiritual gift. Most of them believing that they are obeying God and doing his will.

Yet there is a beautiful truth that is offered by the above verse. In reality serving God always involves serving others. In his first epistle John tells us that we show our love for God by loving one another. The exercise of spiritual gifts is an extension of God's love. They are meant to encourage and comfort. These divine gifts have always been gifts of service.

Help me to develop a heart of service Lord. Use the gifts you have put in me to serve others.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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The Spirit of the Messiah

Even the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours, carefully researched and investigated this salvation. They tried to find out what era or specific time the Spirit of the Messiah in them kept referring to when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. -1 Peter 1:10-11 ISV

The role of the Holy Spirit in history is a fascinating study. These verses speak of the Spirit in the prophets moving them to speak of events that were many years in their future. It makes sense when we remember that God exists eternally in the past, present and future. As such the prophets could hear the Spirit speak of the future in their present day.

These verses remind me of what Jesus said to Nicodemus. He was amazed that a Jewish teacher did not understand the idea of being spiritually born. In saying this, he was indicating that people before that time had experienced a spiritual birth. A reading of the Old Testament bears this idea out when we read about prophets who were born again.

Fill me again sweet Spirit of the Messiah. That I might speak your words and do your will.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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The Salvation of Your Souls

The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. -1 Peter 1:9 NLT

Salvation is an interesting concept. In truth we have been saved. We are being saved. We will be saved. Salvation is not an end unto itself. It is a continuing process of of sanctifying spiritual maturity in the life of one who trusts God. It is a difficult process because it involves change. Albeit change from the inside out. And inner change can be most difficult.

I think of the word soul as one that defines the very essence of who we are. It is sometimes alluded to in metaphors such as the heart or the inner self. It is what makes me 'me'. When a believer dies their soul, the very essence of who they are, is saved. They will be recognizable in the afterlife. They will know, and be known by, those who knew them on earth.

Thank you Lord for the free gift of salvation. Help us to walk as saved people who trust you with all of our hearts.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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You have not seen Christ, but still you love him.

You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot see him now, but you believe in him. So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. -1 Peter 1:8 NCV

These words are so hard to explain to someone who has not been born from above. How can one love someone who they have never seen? The concept seems a bit delusional. Yet the past two millennia have been filled with millions of people who have expressed a love for God that had led them to either martyrdom or acts of great service to mankind.

I reminds me of how the prophet Daniel once wrote about the people who know God being strong and acting in faith. The key word is know. While it is true that we have not seen Christ with our physical eyes, it is also true that we who know God have seen him with our spiritual eyes. It is why we love him and are filled a glorious and unexplainable joy.

We love you Lord. Teach us lord to trust the invisible One who we know. The Spirit who lives in our hearts.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Spiritual Gold

These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you. -1 Peter 1:7 NCV

Do you not love the comparison of faith to gold? Like the shiny stuff, faith is beautiful. It is useful. It has varying levels of purity. It is purified by fire. And in the case of faith, the fire takes the form of trials that test our ability to believe when every part of us wants to doubt. There is something purifying about overcoming great trials and adversities.

Yet unlike many metaphors the comparison breaks down a bit. Pure 24 karat gold is not strong. Spiritual gold however becomes stronger with purification. In the end. Over many years of this of testing. Refined faith possesses such a depth of beauty and strength. We see this strong beauty in those who endure much hardship and persevere in believing.

Our desire Lord is to bring praise, honor and glory to you. Give us strength to persevere to a purer faith.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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