1 Peter 4:7-9

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Personal Challenges

As followers of Christ, we are called to love one another, whether inside the church or out, whether a righteous person or a sinner, whether they treat us nice or not. This is really not a choice, it is an expectation. We do this because by the example of Jesus we see “that “love covers a multitude of sins”. Part of these acts of love mean that we be hospitable to those around us, especially those who come into our homes and churches. This kind of love and hospitality is to be expressed fervently. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Peter 3:13-17

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Personal Challenge

Why is it that people, quite often people in the church, treat others with such disdain and animosity, especially when they don’t take the time to reach out to them to find out what is going on in their lives? Why do people make assumptions of others’ intents and then go off treating them based on those assumptions rather than showing them the love of Christ. Sometimes we make decisions to do what we believe is right in the eyes of God, just to be looked down upon and sneered at by those who are not willing to at least ask us if we are doing okay. I am so thankful for the hope that is within me that comes from my Lord. It is this hope that keeps me moving forward even in the midst of those who are unhappy with my decisions. They can attempt to defame me as an evil doer. They can revile me for my good conduct in the Lord. But in the end it is they who will be ashamed. This may be part of all of our journeys in Christ at some point in time. It is never easy. It is always painful when people that you have loved and served alongside of revile you and snub you because you are no longer fitting their model and attempting to follow where you believe you are being led. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

LIVING AMONGST OTHERS

1 Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

Personal Challenge

Let’s face it. If we truly desire to live a Christian life, then our behavior must change. We cannot do as we please or as we have always done and expect God to bless it. Are our actions any different than the non-Christian world around us? Do we get wrapped up in political agendas and divisive arguments like the rest of the world around us? Do speak evil and deceitfully of others? Do we seek peace or revel in the discord of our world? Are we different? Are we set apart? Do we do all that we do in our lives, our families, our churches, and our going in and going out in love or are we legalistic and controlling, God has called us to be like His Son and to love Him and our neighbor. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

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!