Crumbs 39

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 39

1 Peter 1: 13-16 Love One Another

Scripture 1 Peter 1:22-25 New International Version 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

Crumbs Often in every day relationships the start of a friendship may have some fresh enthusiasm, Later it can become more routine. Love described here is opposite. It starts small and grows Accepting the Gospel, accepting Christ leads to flow of love into our lives but also and to an out flowing of love. This new born love must grow. The accepting of the gospel is a completed event ( “purified” is in the perfect tense.) but its outcomes are expected to develop. Our love for each other should grow from the genuine to the full on. Growth seems to be one of the strands running through this complex epistle set in contrast to the initial acceptance of salvation.

Verse 23-25 Instead of expanding on the meaning of love Peter looks at what is results from the acceptance of the Gospel. He uses the quote from Isaiah 40 to demonstrate how passing is our existence. Against this is the beautiful metaphor of the word of God being an undying seed. It follows that the life this seed gives is eternal too.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. How can we grow our love ? 2. In what ways may we show our love for each other ? 3. For what reasons is the word being eternal important ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com 

 Sent from Mail for Windows

Crumbs38

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 38

1 Peter 1: 13-16 Live as strangers

Scripture 1 Peter 1:17-21 New International Version Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Crumbs In verse 17 the word to call is the same word used by Paul when he appeals to Caesar. Christians appeal to a heavenly ruler for heavenly justice. But we are guilty, so the theme moves on to redemption. When problems arise in human affairs leaders tend to throw money at them. The divide between a perfect God and an imperfect humanity is not solved that way. God’s solution is sacrificial love. Outrageous rebellion meets spotless perfection . The perfect God reaches out and a man dies on a cross, life blood for a dying race

The questions that confront 21^st us are “ Is the world of the senses all there is?” “Is there hope?” Christ’s coming tells of a deeper reality . His miracle filled life, His wonderful teaching and His moral purity all call for a supernatural explanation. The New Testament makes no sense unless the re is another realm beyond and within to take into account.

One of us humans has gone through death and emerged into life. His resurrection gives us hope that we too may have eternal life his self sacrificing death deals with human im perfection. Within these four verses we have the answer to our deepest needs all found in the being and work of Jesus Christ. These truths challenge us to live utterly different lives with a culture alien to the contemporary culture and with respect for standards of which others have little inkling. We should know the fear of God. 

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 

1. What does this passage teach us of our salvation and our Saviour ? 

2. What is meant by “live as strangers” ? 

3. What changes should 21^st century Christians make to live as strangers?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com 

 Sent from Mail for Windows

Hope

 

Hope

Alas with sadness summer slowly dies.

Each year I mourn its undesired loss.

Beneath the trees a leafy carpet lies;

But is that useless wasteful dross?

The warmth that once embraced my aged bones

Now weakens and brings but small relief.

The trees are robed in warm deceitful tones.

New coolness brings my limbs much bitter grief.

The growing light once ruled from four ‘til ten,

Now waning fights to stay from six to six,

And yet the light must surely come again.

New hope we’ll find within the sombre mix.

In nature’s harsh but needful disaffection

We find an unexpected hope of resurrection.

Peter M Grinham 7^th September 2022

Crumbs37

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 37

1 Peter 1: 13-16 A call to holiness

Having described our salvation Peter makes a fourfold call to a changed way of life; 1: 13- 16 be holy, 1:17-21 live as strangers, 1:22-25 love one another and 2:1-3 Crave the word. This call to a changed life is not a means of salvation but our response to God’s great grace.

Scripture 1 Peter 1:13-16 New International Version 13 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. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Crumbs In verse thirteen the phrase “ with minds that are alert” has been translated “get ready for action” or “gird up your loins.” . The flowing robes of New Testament times had to be tucked under the belt for any physical endeavour. It indicates the removal of any obstacles to work ( Heb 12 : 1). Our spiritual lives require frequent repenting and purging of the sinful and harmful.

Total abstinence from alcohol is not generally commanded in Scripture but clear headedness is It is a good idea to examine our life styles for things that make us addle headed. Here as so often in the New Testament severe admonitions are balanced by something positive. Hope is to be found in our relationship with the Saviour. One day we shall see Him who we have loved from afar, face to face and begin to realise what was involved in the forgiveness of our sins.

Becoming a Christian involves arouses our conscience. What once seemed harmless now appears as an affront to our Father and a damage to our relationship with Him. He wants us to be Holy, exclusively dedicated to Him, to be like Him As we become more like Him our love for Him deepens and strengthens. The scope of this revolution is in all that we do. Every action a believer is a sacrament. Every action is holy. Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. How do we prepare our minds to live the Christian life ? 2. What is meant by “evil desires” in verse 14 ? 3. What is holiness?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com 

 Sent from Mail for Windows

Crumbs36

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 36

1 Peter 1: 10-12 Hope through Salvation

Scripture 1 Peter 1:10-12 NIV10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Crumbs Writing to a diverse church ( Jew and Gentile), Peter emphasises certain aspects of Scripture.

1.Much of the Old Testament may be seen as a record of the prophetic pursuit of the truth. Verse 10 shows the work of the prophets as intense and meticulous. They were not used simply as recording devices but their struggles became the subject of Scripture.

2.The Messiah is a focal point of prophesy Verse 11 shows us that the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ were at the very centre of God’s dealings with humanity

3. Another point of prophesy is the salvation of mankind and that these prophesies are given for our advantage. This included Gentile believers as well

4. The unity of Scripture is shown in that the Spirit who revealed truths to the prophets is the same Spirit who works when the Gospel is preached.

5. The wonder of our salvation is emphasised by the fact that spiritual beings such as angels long to investigate these matters

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. How does this passage affect our understanding of the Old Testament? 2. How does this study affect your attitude to Scripture ? 3. What are the essentials of faith revealed in this passage?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com 

 Sent from Mail for Windows