Chapter summary:
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus, and promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith, and will result in praise, and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9).
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
1) As believers, we are God’s chosen people.
2) We were chosen by God’s before the Earth was ever created, making us His holy people. God’s Spirit makes us holy.
3) God wants us to obey Him; He makes us clean by the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
4) Because God has great mercy, He gives us a new life.
5) The living hope (confident expectation) of every believer is resurrection. We have this expectation because Jesus Himself was raised from the dead (resurrected).
6) We have many blessings awaiting us in Heaven, that cannot be destroyed, spoiled, or lose their beauty.
7) God’s power and our faith work together to protect us, and keeps us safe until Jesus returns for us Church. We will have every promise of salvation fulfilled at His return.
8) We will experience different kinds of trouble, test and trials that will cause us great sadness. However, we experience these troubles, test, and trails to test our faith; to make sure that our faith is real.
9) Our tested faith is invaluable; more valuable than anything. Our faith must be tested to increase its value.
11) Our tested and purified faith will bring us praise, glory and honor when Jesus returns for His Church.
10) Though we have never seen Jesus we love and believe in Him. Our love for Him fills us with joy that cannot be explained.
11) The joy that we have is full of His presence.
12) We must think clearly and have self-control, and prepare our mind to serve others.
13) The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls.
14) The prophets of old wanted to know and understand the salvation that was coming to us through Jesus Christ.
15) The prophets spoke of Jesus sufferings, and the result and glory that would come after His sufferings. However, they didn’t understand their prophecies, because the prophecies were not for that time. They are for us and our time.
16) Even the angels don’t understand the work of salvation experienced by the believer.
17) Because we didn’t understand what God desired and planned for us, we did what we wanted to do. However, we are now God’s children and desire to obey Him.
18) We are called by God to be holy; because He has made us holy, we can live holy.
19) God will judge every person’s work equally. So while we are here on this Earth let us do what’s right!
20) Our old way of living was worthless and useless, but now, our lives are valuable and significant.
21) We have been brought with the precious blood, and death of Jesus Christ, who was a pure and perfect lamb.
22) Jesus’ sacrifice for us was determined before the world was created.
23) We believe in God through Jesus Christ. Our faith and hope are in God.
24) We make ourselves pure by obeying the truth of God’s Word; now we can love each other truly and deeply.
25) The new life we have now comes from something that cannot die; from God’s Word which lives forever!
26) We are all like grass and die; however, the Word of God lives forever!
27) This is the message the Word of God gives us.
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