1 Peter: Confidence in a Complex WorldSýnishorn

7: Weeding and Seeding

How it might have been:

Dionysius looked across the street to Alexander’s workshop, which had enjoyed a steady flow of custom that day, while his own remained remarkably quiet for this time of year. For the first few months after Dionysius received the good news of Jesus, business had been great, as it pretty much always had been. But now people were talking – about him, that is, not to him – and Alexander was reaping the benefits from defecting customers. As Dionysius sharpened his tools, a strange desire flowed from his heart and out through his lips. ‘Father,’ he prayed to his new God, ‘bless my friend Alexander.’

As we continue our journey through Peter’s letter, we’ll see how God works through his people to point non-Christians to himself. But we must be clear. Through the gospel, God does not superficially tweak our behaviour so that we act like some kind of marketing gimmick for his kingdom. He changes us at the level of ‘the heart’ (1:22). As 1:23 says, we ‘have been born again … through the living and enduring word of God.’ We have new DNA.

The process of renewal Peter describes is consistent with other biblical writers. It involves getting rid of the bad: pulling out the weeds, chucking away the mouldy tub of leftovers from the back of the fridge. ‘Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind’, he implores in 2:1. Those things belong to the old order, they are destined to ‘wither’ like unwatered grass, to ‘fall’ like petals from a flower (1:24). 

But it’s not just out with the old and fading, it’s also in with the new and everlasting. The negative desires of 2:1 are powerful and can’t just be removed, they must be replaced. Replaced with deep love (1:22) and the goodness of God (2:3). For the God who gives us new DNA also provides the required nutrients to keep us growing more like him. Only he can re-create and re-form us. Therefore, desire God’s transforming goodness in your life, like a rooting infant, who will be satisfied with nothing less than her mother’s milk (2:2-3). 

God has changed your heart and God is changing your heart. You carry his genes everywhere you go, both inside and outside the church community. 

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Reflect:

Character growth doesn’t happen by itself, nor does it just depend on our efforts. God helps us to change. To what extent do you see this happening in this season of your life?

Peter lists some of the ‘weeds’ that can grow within us: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Are any of these weeds growing within your personal or professional relationships?

Pray:

Ask God to mercifully highlight and remove any ‘weeds’ growing in your heart. Then ask him to plant seeds of love and goodness in their place.