Overcoming

1 Peter

Peter is a great archetype of humanity across the ages. He struggled all his life but through is struggles he has given us a reason to keep the faith. He denied Jesus for fear of his life but, in the end, he gave his life for his faith. Realizing that,

1 Peter 1:4 4We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you! This gave him the strength in the end to hold to the word even as they took his life.

What gave him this faith? Reading words on a page or relationship? Just like Peter we have to choose. Choose to search for God in the scriptures or crave God through relationship. Don’t get me wrong God is in the scripture, in His words we find the fuel that causes us to crave relationship.

1 Peter 1:10 10This salvation was the focus of the prophets who prophesied of this outpouring of grace that was destined for you. They made a careful search and investigation of the meaning of their God-given prophecies 11as they probed into the mysteries of who would fulfill them and the time period when it would all take place. The Spirit of the Anointed One was in them and was pointing prophetically to the sufferings that Christ was destined to suffer and the glories that would be released afterward. 12God revealed to the prophets that their ministry was not for their own benefit but for yours. And now, you have heard these things from the evangelists who preached the gospel to you through the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—the gospel containing wonderful mysteries that even the angels long to get a glimpse of.

These mysteries are the breadcrumbs Jesus uses to draw us in closer to Him. This call to Holiness is it’s own reward that allows us to hear the word of God for what its is. Relationship. 

1 Peter 1:13-15

A Call to Holiness

13So then, prepare your hearts and minds for action!  Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled,  a greater measure of grace will be released to you. 14As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better. 15Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One who called you. 16For Scripture says:

“You are to be holy, because I am holy.”

This is how we create an atmosphere conducive to a deeper understanding of and relationship with Him. When this happens, we become immovable in our faith and able to survive and thrive through the trials and tribulations of life.

1 Peter 2 4-8

4So keep coming to him who is the Living Stone —though he was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and is priceless in God’s sight. 5Come and be his “living stones”  who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests,  offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ. 6For it says in Scripture:

Look! I lay a cornerstone in Zion, 

a chosen and priceless stone!

And whoever believes in him

will certainly not be disappointed. 

7As believers you know his great worth—indeed, his preciousness is imparted to you.  But for those who do not believe:

The stone that the builders rejected and discarded

has now become the cornerstone 

8 And A stone that makes them stumble.

and a rock to trip over. 

You are the living stone of Jesus. Lean in and crave an ever-deeper relationship!