Skip to main content

The Time is Now

1 Peter 1:1-25

    I wanted to do something a little different today. This passage of scripture was laid upon my heart today, and I would like to look more deeply into it's meaning in the context of Christian living.

    What really jumped out at me was that we have been chosen by our Heavenly Father for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). He foreknew and chose us to be alive in this time of the world and to fulfill a specific purpose. He even set aside gifts especially for us. This passage says that he set aside the gift of our salvation! Before Jesus, this was only available to Jews who followed the law. When He revealed this gift to the prophets of old, they wanted to know all about it! And even the angels are jealous of us!

Verses 1-2
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (NIV)

Verses 10-12
The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah’s Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! (The Message)


    In the meantime, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus remembering his great gift to us. We will endure suffering for His sake because we were chosen. We are to keep in mind that it is temporary compared to the eternal life with our Father we have coming! But while we are still here, there is work to be done. Jesus has entrusted us each with a purpose and saved us from the fate of our ancestors. Live with these things in mind today.


Verse 13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)


Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 23, 2014 at 12:58 PM

    Wow. This message is inspiring on so many levels, Lauren. First, to think that heavenly beings, made perfect in their own way - but not in God's image, would want to know more of salvation makes me stop and consider the significance with which God regarded mankind. This is a reminder of how precious and priceless we all really are-AND that we have a new life waiting for us when this one concludes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LaurenApril 23, 2014 at 11:26 PM

      Yes! Thank you for commenting and making me think again about the incredible love God has for us. It is amazing to think that the angels want what we have. God really has made us all precious and priceless in His image. (:

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Listen Up

    Is Jesus talking to you? I hear many people wonder how to hear God's voice and what to listen for. I want to offer a bit of wisdom on the topic. If you are wondering if God is talking to you, the answer is yes. We were designed to have a relationship with our creator and He is always there trying to get ahold of you if you'll only pay a little attention.     How does God communicate with us? The first way is through His word. Those are direct words from God Himself, written through His people. The Bible is our instruction manual to life. Whatever difficulty we may be facing, there is always an answer in scripture. God, having known every need before we ever needed it, has already provided an answer. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (ESV)     The second way God communicates with us is by talking directly to us. Just like Adam and Eve spok...
Post a Comment
Read more

Taking the Lead

    When you are in a position of leadership your entire life becomes public. You have people looking up to you and down on you simultaneously. Your life is judged more harshly not only by those who you are leading, but by God. It's not something one should ask God for flippantly. That in mind, how do you view your own leaders? I would bet that the majority of us have complaints about them. So how do we deal with that Biblically?     First, we need to recognize that leadership in a church is God-appointed. God chooses who will lead the church for a specified season. Do you not think that He could take anyone out of a leadership position at any time if He so chose? The point is, we need to recognize Jesus' anointing and honor our leaders. We also need to judge less harshly those who are in those positions. What would the church see if your life was under the microscope? Have grace and compassion for those whose lives are constantly on display. One of the most import...
Post a Comment
Read more

On Duty

    Many people think of the responsibility of leading others to Jesus as a job. But I believe it is much more than that-- it's a lifestyle. We think that evangelism is something we can turn on and turn off. But if evangelism were considered a job, we would always be "on duty." Some are called and gifted specifically in the area of evangelism, but what about the rest of us? If that is not our calling are we off the hook? Absolutely not! Jesus told His disciples (and us) to go into all the world and spread the word about Jesus. Not only to get them saved, but to make disciples of them. Once we have been discipled, it is our job to keep the process going. Ephesians 4:11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers (NIV) Mark 16:15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (NLT) Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the...
Post a Comment
Read more