First Peter: Part Six
We hold a lot of memories in our mind, some good, some bad, but through Christ we’re healed of the hurt they may cause. Peter is no different.
In Matthew 16:13 Jesus asked His disciples about His identity and Peter quickly responded He was the Christ (Jewish Messiah), the Son of the living God. Jesus, commending him, declared He would build His church on that revelation from heaven giving Peter and future believers the ‘keys of the kingdom of heaven’. That was totally upper story for Peter yet he continued to look at life from the lower story searing a memory in his mind. Jesus prophesied His suffering, death, and resurrection but Peter, looking only at the lower story rebuked Jesus (really?) declaring that will never happen! Jesus rebuked him by demanding Satan to get behind Him and to Peter:
… you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. Matthew 16:23b
In Peter’s first letter, chapter four, we find his encouragement to think like God, that it’s like putting armor around our mind: the upper story. Believers don’t live for themselves anymore but for God’s will. We’re not to look like the world who are ‘dead in sin’ by joining in their passions but consider ourselves ‘dead to sin’ living by the Spirit. What wonderful encouragement!
I love the way Peter turns a phrase as He reminds us of the Return of Christ. We’ve seen a few but here he calls this lower story life the ‘end of all things’ (vs. 7). When our minds are armed with His Word and prayer and we serve in our spiritual gifts God is glorified and we’re ready for His Return. Are you ready?
In verse 12 Peter called his readers beloved; he knew hard times were coming but they needed to remember they were loved and rejoice in that love. He reminded them yet again of Christ’s sufferings that he watched in agony and yet now sees the upper story of the Spirit of glory resting on them. When we have His Spirit we can get through anything. Peter knew what his future held for him since Jesus prophesied his death:
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this He said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:18-19 ESV
Peter can address this issue of suffering for Christ because he’s in affect encouraging himself. There’s eternal life after our physical death, consequently, we keep doing good as we trust in our faithful Creator (vs. 19). I challenge you today, consider where you’re doing good for others serving in your spiritual gifts. He’s coming back.
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