Some quick thoughts from 1 Peter 1:1-5…

v1 – “pilgrims” – those who have no claim to the place they find themselves; passers-through. Does that describe me today? Am I comfortable in this world with its toys, games, diversions, anger, violence, sexuality, etc? Hopefully not!

v2 – “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” – People often debate the doctrine of Election, but it is clearly in Scripture. I won’t get into it right now, but here again, if “Election” really meant “foreknowledge” (i.e.: God fore-knew who would be saved, which He does anyway) than why would the Holy Spirit inspire Peter to write both words, “elect” and “foreknowledge”? God has elected or chosen some.

v2 – “in sanctification of the Spirit” – It is the Holy Spirit who makes us more like Jesus.

v2 – Why are we chosen? Why does God save us? “So you can live and do what you want” Um, NO. Scripture does NOT say that. It says “for obedience” as Peter writes in verse 2. I heard over the weekend the statement, “Jesus does not own those whom He can’t command.”

v2 – “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” – Just as Moses sprinkled the people of Israel with the blood of animals to signify their being under covenant with God, we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Himself into a much better and lasting covenant.

v3 – “according to His abundant mercy” – God the Father is abundantly merciful! When you are tempted to doubt God’s mercy, by faith STOP and recall His mercy! How many examples from Scripture can you name? How many from your own life?

v3 – Christians have now a “living hope” – a vibrant anticipation. But based on what?

v3 – “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” – “In Him we have life” John writes.

v4 – Look at what is stored up for you, Believer! An inheritance “incorruptible”, “undefiled”, that “does not fade away” that is “reserved in heaven for” (___Insert Your Name Here!!___)

v5 – That inheritance is not for everyone. If you don’t know Christ you can write your name in there all you want, but does you no good. It is for those who are “kept” not by their own works but by “the power of God through faith for salvation”

Reader, have you checked your eternal retirement savings lately? Are you rich through God because of His mercy, and faith to obedience, or are you bankrupt because of your own rejection of the goodness and kindness of God?

Posted: January 11th, 2010 under Challenge, Devotions, Scripture.
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It’s amazing how time gets away. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about updating this. I think about it, but then I wonder what I have to say? It is too easy to put someone else’s thoughts, quotes, or videos up; and there’s a real temptation to do just that so as to get “another post”, but that’s not right. Similarly, doing this everyday could make it an idol in my life (even if nobody reads it). That’s not right either.

Well, instead of shooting for frequent readability, let’s go for consistency. I will try to post at least one post each week. It’s not much but hopefully I can write more when my schedule changes in a few months. In the mean time, hopefully I’ll get fed preparing posts and you’ll get fed reading them, and God will be magnified through us both. Amen?

Posted: January 11th, 2010 under Announcements.
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