Bible Study - Confident Living - Ready for Action - 1 Peter - 2 Peter - March 13, 2011

Bible Study – Confident Living – Ready for Action – March 13, 2011

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Confident Living in Difficult Times.”
Our scripture is 1 Peter: 1:13-2:1.


It is hard for most Christians to think of themselves as Holy. It is important that Christians not think that they can achieve Holiness in their own strength. Holiness is the result of reflecting the presence of GOD in their lives. GOD is Holy and the extent others see CHRIST reflected in a Christian’s life, they see GOD. Holy means to be set apart. GOD is set apart and when people accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR, they are set apart or sanctified. Christians are set apart by GOD and for GOD for the purpose of obedient service. Yet GOD gives Christians the freewill to choose who they will serve – self or HIM.


When Christians are secure in CHRIST, they are prepared to obediently serve GOD. Let’s explore.


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:13-16: A Call to Holy Living


13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action,[19] [20] being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance[21] 15 but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.[22] [23]

The word “therefore” refers back to the verses 1-12 which we studied last week. Since Christians are confident in their relationship with CHRIST, their faith has been tested and they are ready for action. But in order to be ready for battle or action with Satan and his evil forces, a Christian must be prepared mentally. Satan uses world circumstances and every day relationships to challenge Christians. GOD allows Christians to be tested, not for HIM to see how they measure up but for them to see how they measure up. Testing reveals flaws and areas where Christians can see where they are vulnerable.


Christians can remove themselves from the circle of protection that GOD provides by yielding to temptation and sinning. Christians are still housed in a body of flesh and the key question is, “Who rules their lives – self or CHRIST?”

Peter challenged Christians to realize that they were secure in CHRIST through GOD’S Grace. Once they prepared their minds and internalized their security in CHRIST, then they could face anything Satan could throw their way.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12-13:
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] 13 This is why you must take up the full armor[12] of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.


Peter told his readers that the revelation of CHRIST, through HIS shed blood and their faith in HIM resulted in them being able to experience the miracle of rebirth, which made them GOD’S children. Salvation resulted in them being born into GOD’S family. As GOD’S children they were to live like GOD’S children and not return to their former un-Godly lives. They represented GOD because they were made righteous through CHRIST and their relationship with GOD made them Holy. They have the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT living in them obediently directing their lives, according to GOD’S plan and purpose. Since GOD is HOLY and HE has redeemed them through the shed blood of CHRIST, they are HOLY.


2 Corinthians 5:21:
21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us (Christians), so that we (Christians) might become the righteousness of God in Him (CHRIST).


At the instant of salvation, Christians are set aside (Sanctified) for the purposes of GOD because they are made righteous through the shed blood of CHRIST. Yet, Christians have the free will to choose who they will serve – their flesh or GOD. When Christians face temptation, trials, adversity they must know who they belong to and who they represent. The more solid the Christian’s relationship is in his/her mind and heart, there is no question who he/she will serve when faced with a choice.

GOD has told us that we will face temptation and trials. In 1 Corinthians 10:13:


13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.


Temptation is a part of life. GOD understands that HIS children will be tempted. But GOD is in charge and will not allow HIS children to be tempted beyond their ability to resist. Not only that but when we are tempted, HE will make a way to escape. The problem occurs when we do not escape when the opportunity presents itself. When serving our LORD is more important than serving the flesh and we will look for a way to escape. But when sin blinds us, the flesh rules, we suffer the consequences of our sin. Can GOD forgive us? YES, when we confess our sin and repent (turn from it) of our sin, GOD forgives, cleanses, forgets and restores. Often the scar remains, which reveals our vulnerability and the grace of GOD.


What is the difference between righteous and Holy? We can use the word “righteous” to help us understand the two words. A person has been made righteous when he/she accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. We see in 2 Corinthians 5:21, a believer is made in right standing with GOD. This occurs because he/she has been cleansed and made righteous through the shed blood of CHRIST. The shed blood of CHRIST washes away all sin and the person has been made whiter than snow. This allows the Christian to be born anew into the family of GOD. The miracle of rebirth by the Spirit of GOD allows the born-again believer to be HOLY, just as GOD is HOLY. The new believer has been born-again by the seed of GOD, which we will see in our last scripture in this lesson.


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:17-21:
17 And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during this time of temporary residence. 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined[24] before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the times for you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead[25] and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.


Peter told his readers when you know that GOD is your FATHER, you also know that HE will also judge your obedience to HIM. Now let’s consider John 5:24:


24 “I (JESUS) assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.


When a person becomes a Christians he/she will not be judged for his/sins because they are covered by the blood of CHRIST. However, a Christian will be judged for his/her obedience to serving GOD. GOD will judge and give out rewards based upon a Christian’s obedient service as led by the HOLY SPIRIT.


First Corinthians 3:11:
11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5]16 Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 If anyone ruins God’s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.


Once saved, all Christians build upon the foundation of CHRIST. They either build with materials which will endure that test of fire or materials which will burn up when tested with fire or some combination of these materials. These materials are our rewards. Only the rewards resulting from obedient service to GOD, gold, silver and precious stones, will survive the test of fire. Notice in verse 15, that all Christians will be saved but their work may be consumed by the fire. Everyone’s work will be tested by our FATHER WHO judges impartially. Our FATHER will judge whether or not the work we do for HIM is gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay or straw.


A Christian’s mind should be centered upon the grace and hope he/she has through the living CHRIST and obediently serving GOD during the time he/she has upon earth.


GOD had HIS plan to redeem mankind from sin and death before the foundations of the world. HE also chose us as well, as stated in Ephesians 1:4: 4 for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5]

GOD allowed HIS ONLY SON to come to earth and live as a human, yet divine, to give HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood for the sins of mankind and to be buried. GOD raised CHRIST from the dead as proof and assurance that CHRIST was the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of all who would believe in HIM. CHRIST’S resurrection from the dead by GOD is proof that HE paid the penalty for sin and conquered death. Death no longer holds those hostage, who accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. But CHRIST gives all who believe in HIM eternal life through the miracle of rebirth. A Christian’s hope is in the living resurrected CHRIST. What a joy!!!


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:22-1 Peter 2:1-3:
22 By obedience to the truth,[26] having purified yourselves[27] for sincere love of the brothers, love one another[28] earnestly from a pure[29] heart, 23 since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable[30]—through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower drops off, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.[31] [32]And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.


Since Christians have responded to the truth of CHRIST, they have been purified and born into GOD’S family. Fellow Christians are now a Christian’s brothers and sisters in CHRIST, therefore, Christians can love one another as family because they all have the same FATHER. Christians have been born again not of perishable seed (sperm) but imperishable seed (divine sperm) through the living and eternal Word of GOD. All flesh appears for a little while and then dies and goes away but that which is born of GOD endures forever/eternally. GOD’S Word is powerful and when spoken is like seeds broadcast to all. As seeds, HIS Word falls upon the soil of the mind and either takes root or withers and dies. When it takes root it produces results. Let GOD’S Word take root in your mind and heart. It is the power unto salvation.

1 Peter 2:1-3: The Living Stone and a Holy People
1 So rid yourselves of[1] all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the unadulterated spiritual milk,[2] so that you may grow by it in [your]* salvation,[3] [4] 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.[5]


The Apostle Peter gave his readers a check list to evaluate their lives. They are to evaluate and get rid of:


- All Wickedness (Malice is used in other translations and is a broad term used for all that is bad, evil and depraved.)
- All deceit – means being “two-faced.”
- All hypocrisy – related to deceit meaning “playing a part.”
- All envy – Selfishness – desiring what someone else has – position, title, wealth, charisma, Spiritual gift or gifts, etc.
- All slander – “evil speaking” which includes “Gossip.” Christians have to be careful that asking for prayer for someone not to be an avenue for gossip. Prayer is vital when people are going through difficult times and need to have many praying for them.

Verse 2 - New born babies need milk to grow and sustain life. Christians are born into the family of GOD and are new born Spiritual babies who need the Spiritual nourishment that comes from the milk of GOD’S Word. After growth and maturity the Christian can feed upon the meat of GOD’S Word. To me this is one area where many churches fail new Christians. Some churches have new member’s classes which have to do more with church policy and governance than with helping them understand their relationship with CHRIST.

GOD desires for all of HIS children’s lives to be examined in the light of HIS Word and under the direction of the HOLY SPIRIT to ensure that they are reflecting HIM to all who they encounter. I heard a poem many years ago which is copied below:


The Gospel According To You...


There's a Gospel according to Matthew; To Mark;
To Luke; and John too.
There's another gospel that many are reading...
The Gospel according to You.


All teachings we find in the Bible
Are facts we know to be true;
You must live them to make them the Gospel...
The Gospel according to You


Many read not the words of the Bible;
I will tell you what some of them do...
They are reading the book you are writing...
The Gospel according to you.


There's Great Power In Gospel Preaching
The Bible teaches that this is true.
But the sermon most likely to influence others
Is The Gospel according to You.


God help us to be faithful to Jesus...
To live all His teachings so true,
So that all may see His Spirit
In the Gospel according to You


You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day;
By things that you do; By things you say.
Others read that gospel, whether faithless or true!
Say! What is the Gospel According To You?


Leroy Brownlow


Holy living is not something Christians can attain in their own strength but as they yield their lives to CHRIST and build their relationship with HIM. Salvation is just the beginning. Salvation saves us from the penalty of sin. Christians are being saved from the power of sin as they live upon earth and when either CHRIST returns to earth or they meet HIM in heaven, they are saved from the presence of sin. GOD’S Word is more powerful than a two-edged sword, it convicts and converts sinners to salvation and causes Christians to grow and mature in CHRIST. Read, study and meditate upon HIS Word. It is vital for your Spiritual health. Begin with the Book of John.