Jeremiah 39-43, Ecclesiastes 12, John 5:1-15, 1 Peter 1:17-25

1 Peter 1:17-25:

Peter is addressing himself to Christians who are exiled, strangers, foreigners, out of sync with the culture and world in which they live, and unsure how they should therefore act and think as Christians in this situation. Now, he gives them four reasons to be faithful, to continue to live for Christ even as exiles.  

First, the Father God is fair in his judgment. Peter says, “since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially.” When you are sensing that you are “foreign,” it is easy to feel as if – and indeed experience the reality that – the work you live and do is not treated with equal fairness as other people around you. Perhaps you are passed over for a promotion. Or you are sneered at by your peers at school. It seems unfair; it is unfair. But you know that God the Father who is the ultimate judge of your actions and attitudes is not unfair. He is impartial. And therefore, “live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 

Second, the salvation you have is imperishable. You were not, Peter says, redeemed by mere perishable gold or silver but by the precious blood of Christ. Your salvation is not going to fade or fail. Again, when you are sensing that you are in exile or alienated from the surrounding culture, it is easy to feel as if it would be more sensible to go with the flow, cave in to the mainstream thought and lifestyle. Surely that would be safer and wiser? But your salvation is not perishable. Gold and silver and material possessions all will one day fade. But your salvation never will. It is guaranteed by Christ who died and rose again, chosen before the creation of the world, and your faith is ultimately in God himself. Therefore, stand firm! Your salvation is secure. 

Third, the family of God is worth loving. When you are an alien and stranger, it can seem as if you are on your own. But when you obeyed the truth and became a Christian, you entered the family of God. You have sincere love for other Christians, and they for you. Therefore, love one another deeply from the heart. You are not on your own. You have brothers and sisters who care about you, and for whom you care. 

Fourth, the word of the Lord endures forever. Everything else – people, their glory, nature itself – will fade. But the word of the Lord stands forever. And it is this word that was preached to you and which you have believed. You have not just a truth, but the truth. You have the very word of God himself as your rock and foundation. However shaky the society around you may seem, God’s word will not fail and in him and his word you can put your trust!