Devotionary

One of the things that will jump out at us as 21st-Century Christians living in the United States, is that Peter has no moral indictments to level against the institution of slavery. But he had much to say about slaves living out their newfound faith right where they were.

Just because we are free in Christ does not mean we are free to reject the government God has placed in authority over us. Our actions and attitudes are to be Christ-like and honoring at all times.

Living like a Christian won’t be easy. Not everyone will appreciate the change that has taken place in our lives. But when we live like who we are, the world can’t ignore it. And some will be attracted to Christ because of it.

We are to see Jesus as foundational to our lives and essential to the health of the church. He is what holds us together and gives our lives meaning. Without Christ, we have no solid ground. We become like a house built on sand.

Our behavior should be a true reflection of our beliefs. What we say we believe should show up in the way we act, think, speak, and live out our faith in this world.

It is only as we recognize and learn to appreciate the degree of God’s love for us, that we even remotely begin to have the capacity to love others.

Peter drives home the idea that our behavior should complement our belief. Our status as God’s children should be visible and readily believable, by the way we conduct ourselves in this life.

Spiritual maturity is going to take effort, but God has not left us alone. He is not expecting us to pull off holiness with nothing more than our sin-hampered humanity.

They had no business turning their back on God just because it had gotten a little hot in the kitchen. Their having been chosen by God was a privilege, not a right. It was a blessing from God that should result in their grateful willingness to bless Him in return.

This letter is going to challenge his readers, and us, to live like who we are: Children of God, chosen by Him and placed within His family.

Today begins a new series on 1 Peter. It's going to be an eye-opening and encouraging look at our status as God's children and the way our newfound relationship with God should impact the way we live our lives.

Our job is to follow Jesus, not question Him. Our task is to keep our eyes on Him, not on those around us.

They were about to receive a shock to the system that would be like nothing they had ever experienced before. Jesus was not dead.

The crucifixion of Jesus was not an example of wickedness winning, but of God implementing His divinely ordained plan of redemption.

Jesus' current kingdom is of a spiritual nature, and its citizens are those who have submitted to His lordship over their lives, and patiently await His return.