1 Peter 1:10-12
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
One of the key ideas in 1 Peter is to maintain a life of holiness as the appropriate response of gratitude for the gracious miracle of our salvation. This salvation was promised through the Old Testament prophets and the angels were “eagerly watching” (other translations say “long for” and “investigating”) each person’s salvation story unfold. Isn’t it amazing that your salvation was anticipated by the prophets of Old? They given their messages by God and were not to keep it for themselves, but for all the generations that come after them — that’s YOU and me! It is all so wonderful of a love and rescue/redemption story that even the angels are eagerly awaiting people being saved! Are angels happy for us personally when we get saved? It is incredibly likely, but evidence in the Bible makes it more precise to conclude that the angels’ enthusiasm is for people to be saved as to gather up a people for Jesus… everything The Father does is for Him. All glory and praise goes to Jesus because He is more than worthy for He alone is Holy. Another key idea in 1 Peter is that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the foundation of our new identity in Him, no longer children of wrath, slaves to sin headed for Hell but a new creation redeemed for our Master (see 1 Peter 1:18-19, 3:18). His victory over sin and death, saving us from the wrath of The Father, ought to give us hope and confidence in this life because of the life to come. As redeemed creatures in Christ, we no longer live for the world, but for eternal things. As such, we are to bear good fruit and imitate Christ, especially in the midst of persecution. And that good fruit is not something that we produce, but the Holy Spirit produces in us when we are full surrendered to the Lordship of Christ over our hearts and lives. As our hearts are being transformed more into His likeness, it will show in our lives. We will cheerfully and genuinely give up the things of this world — entertainment, language, etc. and seek out the things that keep our eyes fixed on Him. We will hunger for The Word everyday and to go deeper into The Gospel that saved, empowers, and sustains us. If this does not sound like you, do not fret. You may merely be in a season of pruning and dryness. Ask The Lord to grant you repentance for loving the things of this world more than honoring Him. Ask God to refresh you with The Living Water and to help you become evermore marveled at the Holiness of Jesus and the finished work on The Cross. Ask God to help you find balance between stewarding well the things He has given you and putting Him first. Ask God to help you do everything with excellence as unto Him. You have a new identity, and that is to be set apart from this world; set apart for Him, to be used by Him in what ever ordinary or outstanding ways He sees fit.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What is something today that you ought to give up in order to honor The Lord more? See if you can give it up for at least 30 days.
- Did you realize the depth of having a new identity? What are some concepts you’d like to study in the Bible to go deeper into what this new identity means?
- How often do you ask God to direct your steps in order to honor Him? If this is a new thing for you, start building the habit with something small such as saying a quick prayer in your mind before going into a work meeting.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for my salvation. I am so grateful that I have been deemed a new creation in you, Jesus, and that I get to spend eternity with you in fullness of glory one day. Father, I ask for your forgiveness if I unwittingly failed to put you first, choosing my job, my to-do list, my way of doing things over seeking after your heart in order to surrender to your rule over every detail of my life. I repent. Grant me true repentence, Lord, I want to see good fruit not for my sake, but for the benefit of others and most of all, for your glory. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.