First Peter: Part Two
For over three years Simon Peter watched firsthand how Christ loved people, consequently, he’s well-able to encourage us in our thoughts and behavior toward other believers. When Jesus first displayed His power to Peter there was a reaction:
… Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” Luke 5:8
Therefore, when Peter wrote in these next verses (13-14) about sanctification, reflecting Jesus in our thinking and actions, he’d already experienced the reality of how different or holy Jesus is. Peter desires us to be sober or to think clearly about this:
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
As you read First Peter you’ll realize he understood that holiness is not perfection; it’s being set apart and different from the world. The world says ‘be served’; Jesus counters with, ‘Serve’.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Jesus’ declaration didn’t go unnoticed by Peter, he mentioned that ransom aspect of Jesus’ life several times in this letter. The spotless Lamb of God paid the liberty-price for those who believe and trust in Him (vs. 18-21). Now that’s good news we can share!
In the last verses (22-25) Peter reminds us again of the beginning truth of salvation (vs. 2): you must be born again (John 3). This upper story of a new, spiritual life encourages us toward righteous living since Jesus not only paid our ransom but also gave us the right to call on the power of the Spirit in order to live holy or different from the world. Again, good news.
A big part of holiness is loving people; Peter purposely chose two different Greek words for love: philadelphia and agapao, the same ones Jesus chose in John 21:15-19. Our pure heart toward God is seen in sincere kindness toward people. The world is full of fake love, filled with hidden agendas, but philadelphia is true friendship. Agapao is passionately doing what Jesus prefers; we’re directed and empowered by Him to love people the way He did. Agapao is a choice and decision which was Peter’s final mission from Christ.
God’s Word (Logos) is like seed that grows in good soil; it’s alive and remains in our hearts eternally but it also comes out our mouth: the spoken Word (rhema). When we walk in holiness we think like, talk like, and finally act like Jesus; it’s the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. Peter introduced us to holiness in these verses and reminded us that His Word is always good news, it was preached to us and we now speak it to others.
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