The apostle Peter, in his first epistle, emphasized the importance of living holy lives. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The text continues with a discourse on the redemption of his readers. They were redeemed with “the precious blood of Christ” (19). Christ was raised from the dead, “so that your faith and hope are in God” (21).
Because of these truths, Peter establishes a requirement for God’s children. “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (17).
Consider the ramifications of Peter’s words. First, our redemption was secured at great price to the Lord — His death. We should recognize and appreciate that sacrifice, and He expects that appreciation to be shown by the lives we live… “Be holy.” Second, the living of a holy life does not indicate a merited standing with God. Our standing is by faith, and our hope is due to God’s extended grace. Third, the fact that we can’t earn our salvation does not contribute to the false view that our actions have no bearing on our standing with God. While we can’t earn our salvation, we can certainly forfeit our standing with God by refusing His call to holy living. This is seen in the fact that the Father, “without partiality judges according to each one’s work” (17).
For these reasons, Christians are called to conduct ourselves “throughout the time of your stay here in fear.” In fear. The word “fear” (phobos), is defined by Thayer – fear, dread, terror. As we live our lives, we are to be afraid. Afraid of what? Of forfeiting our standing with God by the works that we do!
In the context of this great chapter. Christians are the “elect” (2), chosen and secured by the “blood of Jesus Christ.” We have been “begotten again” (3) to a living hope through Christ’s resurrection. That inheritance is “incorruptible, and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (3-4). The end of our faith is “the salvation of your souls” (9). It is secured by “the grace that would come to you” (10). All of this is a cause for rejoicing and confidence! God has saved us through grace. We are sustained by our Faith. Our inheritance is kept by God’s power, men can not take it from us! So, why does Peter call on us to fear?
Read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” Here Paul mirrors the words of Peter. Christ is in us (that is, we have that saving relationship with the Lord), “unless indeed you are disqualified.” What can disqualify us, who are kept by God’s power? Only our own works!
God is impartial. God is fair. (Read Ezekiel 18 to understand the ramifications of this characteristic of God). Because He is fair, His gift of grace gives the elect a new start. Our appreciation of that gift should lead us to a holy life. However, because He is fair, in His judgment He will disqualify us should we embrace sin rather than righteousness.
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
