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1 Peter 1:13
“Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We have finished our study of 1 Peter, an epistle that summarizes much of the theology of the Bible. Those who are well grounded in 1 Peter are prepared to address such topics as the atonement, spiritual gifts, sanctification, Christian ethics, regeneration, church leadership, and more.
Peter teaches on these topics as he explains how Christians are to suffer for the sake of Christ. Believers have been redeemed through the work of the Holy Trinity (1 Peter 1:1–2). This salvation comes at the sovereign initiative of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and we receive it only by faith so that we dearly love Jesus even though our physical eyes have not seen Him. Our salvation is sure, but it will not be consummated until Jesus returns. In the meantime, we will have to choose to endure suffering instead of denying Christ (vv. 3–12).
Suffering well entails setting our hope on the return of Jesus and living holy lives, which is possible only because we have been born again by the Word of God (vv. 13–25). Indeed, we have been set apart by God and are being built into a holy temple for the Lord (2:1–12). Holiness has ramifications for all our relationships. We are to submit to those in authority, and when that leads to suffering, we are to suffer like Christ. Our suffering does not save others, but we can continue entrusting ourselves to God just as He did (vv. 13–25).
Entrusting ourselves to God takes shape in the home, as spouses live according to their respective God-given roles, and in the church, as we love other believers in humility (3:1–8). It also takes shape in the world as we do not repay evil with evil and are prepared to give an answer for our gospel hope when others ask (vv. 9–17). This obedience to God does not save us, but all those who persevere in faith, repentance, and obedience will be exalted in Christ (3:18–4:6).
Suffering well means also that we are not surprised when persecution comes but rather know that suffering for the sake of Jesus while continuing to serve others in the church demonstrates that we are His (4:7–19). Elders serve the church as they minister eagerly and with kindness, and all of us are to humble ourselves before God and resist the devil so that we will be exalted at the proper time (5:1–9).
We will persevere in faith through suffering only if we set our hope on Christ’s return, knowing that He will establish us in His blessed presence forever. Let us fix our hope on Jesus’ second advent and stand firm in the faith (5:10–14).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
We get easily distracted by the cares of this world, our possessions, and other things. It takes resolve to keep our hope continually on Christ and His return, and the result of doing so will be that we suffer well and persevere in the faith until the very end. Jesus is indeed coming again, and it could happen at any time. Let us not lose sight of that fact, and may we look forward to it with eagerness.
For further study
- Job 19:25–27
- 1 Peter 1:3–9; 4:12–13
- 1 Peter 5:10–12
- Revelation 22:20
The bible in a year
- Job 21–23
- Acts 10:9–48