1 Peter 1:1-5
There are pertinent questions we need to ask ourselves when studying the Word of God. Who are the people involved? What does this teach me about God? How does this apply in my spiritual journey?
Peter writes to the elect – those “…who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Just to refresh our memories, let us remember salvation applies to our past, present and future state before God.
Who are the people involved? Peter is writing to God’s elect, those who have been chosen by God for obedience to Jesus Christ, to be used of Him as they surrender to His leadership in their lives (:1-2). Peter praises God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he identifies himself as one with this group! (:3).
They are described as exiles scattered throughout the then-known world. To prepare them for service God provided the Holy Spirit to sanctify them – purifying and setting them apart from worldly living. Their hearts were sprinkled/ purified by the Blood of Christ.
In referring to their former ignorance (:14), Peter warns them not to conform to the evil desires which once governed their behaviour. Probably many of them were Gentiles. “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God!” (1 Peter 2:10). Their faith in Jesus Christ would be a shield against the temptations of a previous lifestyle.
What does this teach me about God? He is all-knowing “according to the foreknowledge of God” (1:2). His calling was predetermined by what He knew. The Trinity is at work in these verses. The Father chose, the Son sacrificed and rose again, the Holy Spirit sanctifies! The cumulative power of the Godhead protects us from sin, and provides us with assurance that our inheritance is indestructible.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the shield of faith, part of the armour of God used to ward off the fiery darts of the devil. Think of it – fiery darts would be very painful, if not deadly. Faith trusts God. Faith is measurable according to the words of Jesus who condemned people of little faith (Matthew 14:31) and commended those of great faith (Matthew 8:10). Seeing their lack of faith, Jesus didn’t waste His time doing miracles in Nazareth.
Our finite minds can hardly grasp the significance of the supernatural power about us, limited as we are by time and space. Our warfare is spiritual. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) We often think in temporal terms; the physical becomes the measure of our faith. But God is protecting something even more precious. He has given us faith – the gift of God! (Ephesians 2:9) to protect our spirits!
Reflection:
A shield is a visible piece of equipment. I must ask if my faith is a visible sign to others around, a sign that I trust in God? Do I stand confidently holding the shield of faith, as I do battle with the enemy of my soul day by day, or do I cower behind it? Oh that our spirits may be at peace, knowing we are shielded from eternal disaster, by our faith.
by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)
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