1 Peter: Set ApartShembull

A Changed Life

Jesus knew he would suffer on earth, so when Peter says to arm yourselves with that same understanding, he is instructing believers to have an attitude that suffering is inevitable. We see that the suffering Peter is specifically referring to in this letter is that of being a social outcast.

Because they are following Jesus, they are not participating in many of the normal day-to-day activities in their towns because so much of the day-to-day life in ancient Rome revolved around including and honoring false gods. These believers lived different lives, which brought ostracization and suffering into their lives.

However, Peter tells us that we all will have to give an account of how we lived. And even though believers will endure suffering and hardships we can rest assured that it is all temporary and what lies ahead is so much greater than this life. This means we need to live for eternity today. Not simply focus on this week or this month, but have our future in God’s perfect kingdom in view. This view will impact how we live and treat others.

Peter is clear; God doesn’t call us to live apart from the world so we can wait for Jesus’ return, rather, he calls us to action. The belief that we are exiles and that time is short should make us want to make our lives count now. God invites us to live our lives with and for him, which means that he wants us to flee, or run in the opposite direction from sin. He doesn’t want us to flirt with, tempt, or test sin. Rather, he wants us to live in the freedom he offers, not being enslaved to our sinful and selfish desires.

We do this by living in response to what Jesus did for us. Jesus not only came and died for us, but he continues to forgive us day after day when we sin and betray him. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. And it is out of that love that we love and serve others.

We could never repay him for this gift, yet he gives it to us anyway. And we serve others like Christ has served us, we bring glory to God that only he alone deserves.

Today’s response

Knowing that we could never repay Jesus for what he’s done for us, how does knowing what He did for us make you want to live your life?