1 Peter (4)

By his great mercy he has given us a new birth...

A new birth signifies a new life. Jesus told Nicodemus "No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above" (Jn 3:3). Does Peter have this dialogue in his mind when he pens his letter? Maybe so.

Later in his letter, Peter defines what he means by "new birth". You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God (1:23)

Peter states this birth is into a living hope (1:4) Have you ever observed someone without hope? The Apostle Paul mentions non-believers as having no hope (Eph 2:12). Peter could have begun his letter in many ways. However, one of the first things he offers is hope. The Christian must understand what Christ has done for them - even in the midst of persecution.

One other thing, when it comes to new birth, John writes, "...for whoever is born of God conquers the world, our faith" (1 Jn 5:4). That's the hope Peter is speaking of.

During this Easter season, we remember what Christ Jesus has done for us. We remember the thirty-nine lashes, the mocking, the sin placed upon Him, the gruesome death, and the burial. And then we remember the tomb being empty, Jesus appearing to his followers, the restoration of Peter (among others), and the hope He gives. That's the hope Peter speaks of. That's the hope that we must continue to attempt to understand.

Any thoughts?

1 Peter (cont)

"...who, according to his great mercy..." 1 Pet 1:3

Mercy is defined as not getting something one deserves. Paul writes of guilt on the behalf of all persons when it comes to sin (Romans 3:23). He also points out the result of sin is death (6:23).

When Peter begins his letter to those who have been scattered due to oppression or persecution, he takes the time to mention God's great mercy. This phrase is often glanced over quickly or forgotten about before the reader looks to other phrases later in the text.

When faced with judgment or guilt, man's tendency is to look at the opportunity for pardon. In other words, we focus on a "new birth" to which Peter speaks. We'd rather reflect on the hope in Christ rather than the truth of sin. However, isn't it true that to appreciate a new birth or hope found in Christ, one must also spend time considering his own crimes against God prior to reflecting on God's great mercy? Often times, we focus on the pardon God provides so we won't have to deal with the reality of our own guilt. Might this attitude lead to what Bonhoeffer calls "Cheap Grace"?

Any thoughts?

Recognizing God Incarnate

We begin today looking at a passage that William Barclay says, "...there are few passages in the New Testament where more of the great fundamental Christian ideas come together." The next few weeks, I plan to post on 1 Peter 1:3-5 (and hope to hear your thoughts as well).

We begin with the first affirmation of the author.

Blessed (Praise, NIV) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... (NASB)

The Jews recognized God in their prayer from the beginning. "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the LORD is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). When Peter writes to God's chosen people residing as aliens (1:1), He implores them to remember who their God is. For the Christian in the New Testament, the difference between a Jew recognizing YHWH and to whom the Christian prays is important to note. In other words, Christians recognize not only the Father, but also the Son as being God incarnate.

This is important throughout the letter Peter pens. Any initial thoughts?

God's Gift To Us

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

I've been in 1 Peter for a few days now. There's much to think about in the few verses above. What about the great mercy, new birth, and a living hope that all comes through faith?

Let's talk about these things the next few weeks. Any initial thoughts?