1 Peter 1 DEVO: Salvation & Grace Living

Introduction:
The book was written by the apostle Peter around 64ish AD to both Jewish (vs 1: scattered) & Gentile (vs 14: ignorance) Christians. It was written to offer encouragement to suffering Christians in the midst of a society that was ignorant of the true God. “Christ/Jesus/Lord” is used 46 times – indicating the key to persevering in suffering is to focus on Christ!
There is no other disciple whom Jesus was closer to than Peter. During the three years they spent together, Jesus showed & taught Peter a lot of lessons. As stubborn as Peter was, this book reveals that he learned those lessons!
• Submission – Matthew 17:24 - $ in mouth of fish, pay taxes. He got it = 1 Peter 2:13ff
• Restraint – John 18 – Peter cut off the guards ear w/ his sword (frankly, I think he was going for his head!). Jesus told him “Live by the sword, die by the sword” – Mathew 26:52. He got it = 1 Peter 2:23
• Humility – “I’ll never leave you Jesus….. all others but not me” He got it = 1 Peter 5:5
• Sacrifice – John 21:19 – “You are gonna’ be a martyr Peter” – He got it = 1 Peter 4:19
• Love – Easy as a leader to get “task oriented” rather than “people oriented!” – John 21 – “Do you LOVE me Peter?” – (maybe this is why he hooked up with John)….. He got it = 1 Peter 4:8

Chapter 1:
The first two verses show us the Trinity at work in saving us: God the FATHER, by His grace, CHOOSES people. God the SON, by His blood, SAVES those who believe. The HOLY SPIRIT then SANCTIFIES believers. What an amazing demonstration of God’s grace! The purpose of all this: “for obedience to Jesus Christ.” God’s Word was never just meant to be known but to also be obeyed!~
So what are we given once we are saved? A whole boatload of stuff! Specifically mentioned here is:
- Inheritance & Security (3-5)
- Faith & Joy (6-9)
- Grace & Guidance (10-12)
What then are the bi-products of being saved? Holiness (13-16), Reverence (17-21) and Love (22-25). In our next chapter we will be told how then to live as a result! COOL GOD STUFF!
SO WHAT?!
*What are you going through right now that seems overwhelming? 46 times Pete4r reminds us the focus is JESUS not our circumstances. Why not take a moment right now to give that circumstance to Him and focus on all the great things you have IN Him!?~
*According to this chapter, what % of your salvation are you responsible for? The answer is ZIP, nadda, zero, nothing. You & I can never earn our acceptance before God. It’s all based on what Jesus did for us that we could never do. Now that’s worth giving thanks for!
*Finally, “prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance, be holy in all you do…”