Author: David Short

HONORING OUR WIVES

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 

Command with a Promise

Peter gives us a detailed discourse on how Christians should be in relationship with others. This verse instructs husbands to honor their wives, to take care of them and to protect them in this harsh world. We are to treat them as our equals and full partners throughout life. And what is the promise that goes with this behavior? Our prayers will not be hindered. Glory be to God!

1 Peter 2:19-20

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

Personal Challenge

Life is difficult. If we are striving to live godly lives it can be even more difficult We must remember that even after Jesus spent three years healing people and teaching God’s truths, He was still crucified. Peter reminds us here that if we suffer for our commitment to Jesus that we should take it patiently because it is commendable before God. Of course, it is not easy to live this way but by His grace we will be able to do it. Glory be to God!

LIVING IN THE WORLD

1 Peter 2:12

having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

Personal Challenge

I have always tried to be aware of the saying, “You are so heavenly minded, that you are of no earthly good.” We, as Christians, are ambassadors of heaven living here on earth. That means that we are to be representing God to all that we come into contact with. I know far too many who profess to follow Christ and who are so focused on heavenly things, church things, that they end up being negligent, or even  sometimes abusive, to their families, their coworkers, and everyone else around them. Even Jesus gave up His place in heaven to become one of us and to share God’s love with all of creation. We are supposed to live in such a way that those around us who do not yet know God might want to meet Him. This is our personal challenge. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Encouraging Words

As Christians, we have been chosen, or set apart, for a reason. We are to proclaim praises to our God who has called us out of the darkness of this world into His marvelous light. We cannot fully experience being His royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His own special people until we are willing to proclaim Him. Glory be to God!

1 Peter 2:1-3

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Personal Challenge

As Christians, our continuous desire should be to be in the presence of our Lord, to be able to eat of His banquet table, and to be able to do His good works. We should desire to be growing in the image of our Lord at all times In order to have this desire, and to fulfill it, we must lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking because these will all get between us and our Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Peter 1:13-16

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Personal Challenge

It can be difficult to live the life that we are called to live as Christians. We still live in a fallen world. We are charged with being salt and light to those in this fallen world so that others might come to know Jesus as well. We are not alone in our quest to be holy as our Lord is. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. We have our community of fellow believers. Even this can be difficult, it is definitely worth the effort. Glory be to God!

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Encouraging Words

Every major religion in this world relies upon the life and teaching of one human being. Christianity is the only one whose person is still alive, 2000 years after He walked and taught on this earth. Jesus is our Living Hope. He is the one who resurrected from the dead showing us our future. He is the one who showed us an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away that we will be participants is. He is the one that made it clear that there is a place in heaven that is reserved for those who believe and follow Him. Glory be to God!

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Personal Challenge

Living in America we have all pretty much embraced the mindset of independent individualism. On our own accord we can do anything. In Christianity, however, we are taught that we need each other in the body of Christ to grow in His image. Part of that community comes in confession of our trespasses to one another and praying for each other. This is part of our journey to becoming righteous. Glory be to God!