Articles
People like Us!
We believe the book of 1 Peter was written about 30 years after the time of Jesus. The people that Peter wrote to, were a lot like us. They were people who had to base their faith on what they were told by preachers, like the apostles, and what they could read in the scriptures, for them the Old Testament. The Christians that Peter wrote to had never heard or seen Jesus directly according to 1 Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
These Christians had faith even though they never witnessed Jesus perform a miracle or heard Jesus teach. That faith led to them being filled with “inexpressible and glorious joy”. That joy was based on their belief in Jesus that Peter described “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. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:3-4) Faith in the promises given by God and the salvation offered to man through the sacrifice of His Son changed these peoples lives and would sustain them through the challenges they were about to face.
Peter warns that they were about to undergo trials in verse 6 “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” However, because of the gospel that was shared with them and the faith that it produced they would be able to overcome if they were prepared. Peter told them how to prepare for the hard times and we need to learn these same lessons today. “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16) We are facing hard times but with our faith strong in the Lord and living the life He has called us to live we will also receive “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade”.
~Brad Tolbert
