Living Hope Day 4

Living Hope Day 4 Reading:

1 Peter 1:13-21 

Ponder

Chapter 1 of 1 Peter closes with a call to holiness. As believers, our lives are to look different from the way the world lives. But when we carefully examine this passage, we learn some important truths about the holy lives we are called to live. 

• Holy living isn’t just about doing better or “being good.”  In many translations, verses 13-21 begin with the word “therefore.” What this tells us as readers is that this holy living is rooted in the saving work of Christ. We aren’t called to clean up our lives on our own or make right choices purely in our own strength. Because of what God has done in Jesus, we can be empowered to live godly lives. We cannot earn our salvation through good works, but our hope is firmly planted in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We are saved through God’s mercy and grace; our holy, set-apart lives are the results of the saving work Jesus has already accomplished. 

• The old desires don’t just disappear.  “Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires,” verse 14 reads in the New Living Translation. As long as we live in this world, we’re going to war against the patterns of thinking, behaviors and desires that once ruled our lives. But rather than turning back to them, Peter encouraged believers to run toward holiness, to run toward God. When the old ways come calling, instead of giving in, we’re to focus on the nature of the God who has done all that is necessary to save us. He is holy, righteous, good and gracious, and we are to be like him. 

• Knowing the nature of God, we must regard him with the appropriate respect. In verses 17-19, Peter stressed the importance of rightly regarding God. While he is gracious and merciful, forgiving and slow to anger, he is also the all-powerful Creator God who judges the world. We should not be children who disregard the reality of God’s character and misuse his mercy as license to do whatever we want. Our lives should be characterized by ongoing respect for our Father, shown by lives marked by obedience and reverence. 

• God’s plan of salvation wasn’t an afterthought.  Rather than a plan God came up with when our sinfulness spun out of control, salvation through Jesus was God’s plan from before eternity. Our God created the world knowing that his plan to save us would come at great cost to himself—and he still did it. Understanding this glorious truth and what Christ has already done for us is what compels us to trust God and live lives that point to his glory. 

Journal

• Are there any ways in your life right now that you’re trying to “earn” God’s favor through your own goodness or strength? What steps will you take today to trust what Jesus has already done? 

• What old desires most often pop up in your life? How will you choose to run toward God and his holiness rather than those desires? 

• Does your life reflect respect for God and his character? Why or why not? 

• Why is it important to you today that God’s plan of salvation wasn’t an afterthought? What does that teach you about his character and nature? 

• In light of what you’ve recognized about God’s character today, why is he worthy of your praise and a life that reflects his glory?