1 Peter 1:20 –2:3 – Desire the Word of God

Lesson 7 -- Written by Marcia McCance

1. What it says:

20  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

21  who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

23  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

24 ¶  because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,

25  But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1 ¶  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

2  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

3  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

2a. What it means -- review:

20  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

What does “foreordained” mean?

What does “foundation” mean?

What does “manifest” mean?

Who was Jesus manifest for?

21  who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

What is verse 21 saying?  

2b. What it means:

22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

This is a somewhat difficult verse to interpret at first glance because:

1.        It appears to say that our souls are purified, or we are saved, by obedience – which would be a gospel of works – and we know that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works.

2.        It also appears to say that they already have sincere love of the brethren which has purified their souls – and then they are told to love one another fervently with a pure heart – which makes no sense. Why would Peter tell them to do what they are already doing?

So we will have to dig a little deeper. If we start with the word “purify” and do a word search we find that this word was used in the Old Testament in this way:

Genesis 35:2  And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.

This is the first time the word “purify” shows up in the NKJV version and it is clearly a task that they are to complete. This is a turning away from foreign gods, and the putting on of fresh clean untainted garments.  To “purify yourselves,” in this context, means to make yourself ceremonially and morally clean – to wash yourself.

James 4:8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double–minded.

James clearly says that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. He then tells us how to draw near to God – by cleansing our hands (cleaning up our act – changing what we do – sinners laying aside sinful activities to do them no more), and purifying our hearts (which would be adjusting our focus and purpose back onto God). We know that is what he means because those he tells to “purify your hearts” he also labels “double-minded” or having a wavering purpose – which is no purpose at all.

When we apply the meaning of “laying aside corruptible things” to the word “purify,” we are coming closer to Peter’s meaning, too.

What does the word “purify” mean?

 The folks that Peter is addressing had purified their own souls as they obeyed the truth. They heard the truth of the Gospel which the Holy Spirit confirmed in their hearts and they had changed their life styles or” purified” themselves in response. They must have dropped some habits or actions that were not acceptable and replaced them with brotherly love; and for this he commended them.

They had become “Baby Christians” – saved but not mature. They had bonded as brothers, or soldiers, bond. They are in the same “company” and have the same goals so are therefore kind, familiar and considerate towards one another – but something is missing, or Peter would not have given the instruction to “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” So, let’s continue looking:

The words “sincere love of the brethren” are translated from the Greek word:

5360 filadelfia   philadelphia   fil-ad-el-fee’-ah  -- from 5361 -- AV-brotherly love 3, brotherly kindness 2, love of the brethren 1; 6

5361 filadelfov   philadelphos   fil-ad’-el-fos --  in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, loving one’s fellow countrymen – plus: “delfos” = “the womb”

So now we see that Peter wants them to step it up a notch, from the warm fuzzy feelings of brotherly love to loving one another earnestly  (seriously, solemnly and industriously) or fervently (with great passion and enthusiasm, eagerly and zealously).

The second word “love” that Peter used comes from the Greek word:

25 agapaw   agapao   ag-ap-ah’-o -- to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing. -- used in the NT of Christians’ love to God and man, the spiritual affection which follows the direction of the will, and which, unlike “feeling” which is instinctive and unreasoning, can be commended as a duty based on principle.

Now it begins to make sense! He wanted them to move from the casual and instinctive friendships formed by “fuzzy feelings” formed in a group, (a few of them may have bonded out of similar personalities and interests); to the kind of love that is done out of commitment to God and principle. The “God kind” of love, “agape,” that comes from a pure heart and love for God. They were not only to love those already in the group, and coming into the group (new converts), but to love those outside the group, as well – and in a new way. They are to be of service to others, and to lend a hand, and sacrifice for them – not just “like” them.

And then he goes on to tell them why he wanted them to “step it up” in verse 23

23  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,

Peter pictured in his mind a new-born baby, and referred to the seed of the incorruptible Father, from which the new baby comes!

What would corruptible seed be?

Why do you think he used the word “seed”?

Read Luke 8:11– What did Jesus call the seed?

through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

What were they born through?

This is Peter’s identification of the source of the incorruptible seed: the word of God – which lives (is alive) and abides (continues to be present) forever! “The word of God” is also His solemn promise to us!  He has given us His word which is incorruptible!

24 ¶  because "All flesh is as grass,

Grass is compared to what?

So the corruptible seed does not come from God, it comes from:

all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

What is “the flower of the grass” compared to?

What is “the glory of man?”

The grass withers, And its flower falls away,

What is Peter saying here?

25  But the word of the LORD endures forever."

What is Peter’s point?

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

What is Peter identifying here?

Read  Isaiah 40:6-9 to see where Peter has gotten his metaphor.        How does verse 9 compare to what Peter has said about the word in 1 Peter 1:25?  (Optional: Read to the end of Isaiah 40 for an amazing description of God as compared to man)

1 ¶  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

“Therefore” meaning because you are born again and have purified your souls by putting off the old man, do not become entangled again in evil doings, of which he gives a list of examples. What is:

a.        Malice

b.        Deceit

c.         Hypocrisy

d.        Envy

e.        Evil speaking

2  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word,

What is more pure, fresh, and clean than a newborn babe? And what is its only desire?

that you may grow thereby,

What common purpose do “pure milk” and “the word” share?

Meditate on: the kind of “growing” that comes from “the word:”  

3  if indeed

If – “if” you really have – if your heart has truly been touched by Jesus – if you are not a hypocrite – if you are sincere and

you have tasted

“you, yourself” have tasted – personally experienced – you have been assuaged by the wonder of Jesus in your own heart…

that the Lord is gracious.

Define “gracious:”

3. What it means to me:

(Believe, Trust, Conform)          

 ­Read again: 1 Peter 1:20 –2:3, at the top of this study – and in another translation.

Definitions and Synonyms:

1.      corruptible -- in a state of decay; rotten or putrid; dishonest, evil or unreliable

2.       deceit – dishonesty, treachery, deception, trickery, sham, pretense, cheating,

3.      envy –jealousy, greed, desire, resentment, spite, covet, begrudge

4.       evil speaking—backbiting, unkind remarks, infighting, viciousness, bad-mouthing, spitefulness, defamation, gossip, slander, insult, disparage,

5.      foreordained  -- (of God) appointed or decreed (decided) beforehand

6.      foundation – base, basis, groundwork, underpinning

7.      gracious – cordial, congenial, affable, sociable, courteous, polite, well-mannered, kind, benevolent, generous, merciful, compassionate, lenient, humane, charitable, understanding

8.      hypocrisy – insincerity, double standards, pretense, duplicity, two-facedness

9.      incorruptible – principled, morally upright, imperishable, everlasting

10.  malice – hatred, spite, malevolence, meanness, nastiness, cruelty, wickedness

11.  manifest -- clear or obvious to the eye or mind, display, show, exhibit, demonstrate, present, reveal

12.  purify – cleanse, disinfect, sanitize, decontaminate, clean, get rid of impurities

13.  purpose – reason, principle, intention, aim, objective, target, goal, determination, resolution, resolve, persistence, tenacity, single-mindedness. Antonym: indifference

14.  redeem -- buy the freedom of,  regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment

15.  taste – flavor, savor, experience, feel , undergo, go through, live through ,try, sample, nibble, drink, sip, test, discern, judge

16.  traditions -- customs, beliefs, or actions handed down from generation to generation

1 Peter 1:17-21 – Faith and Hope in God

Lesson 6 -- Written by Marcia McCance

1. What it says:

17  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

19  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

20  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

21  who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

2. What it means:

17  And if you call on the Father,

What does “call on the Father” mean?

If we call on the Father as our own, if we have been saved by His mercy, if we are true Christians , if we have faith in Him, …

who without partiality judges

… we know that He is The Judge… and we know that He judges without partiality

What does “partiality” mean?

We should thank God for His impartiality!  God is impartial because of His Great Love. What if God only loved some of us and the rest of us He did not care for? Would Jesus have died for the whole world if God were not impartial? Would He have died for you? Would the gift of salvation be the saving grace of the entire world, if God loved only some of us? God judges us with the same heart that He loves us with: His great loving impartial heart. Thank God, that He also judges us impartially -- by our works.

John 3:16-18  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He gives us the choice of heaven or hell!  When we choose Jesus and heaven, we are no longer under condemnation !!  God is impartial. He condemned us all when Adam fell. Not one of us was righteous. No… not… one ! Thank God, Jesus came to save us from condemnation. (To be condemned is a final judgment.) If we do not choose Jesus… we are condemned already. To go to hell, all you have to do is refuse to believe in Jesus Christ and conduct yourself according to any way you want. To go to heaven you have to believe in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and conduct yourself in His ways. By faith in Christ, we are no longer condemned!  That’s what “being saved” means!

Ro 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

This may bring up the question of how God will judge those who have not heard of Jesus or even of the law which Paul addresses in the following verses:

Romans 2:14-16  for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Personally, I trust the perfect judgment of God who loves perfectly, and judges perfectly because He is all-knowing, faithful, just and true.  He sees our hearts. The part I have to play is to make sure that I share the gospel by being a light. And that I support (through monetary contribution, service, or prayer) those who are missionaries and evangelists who do the work of preaching and teaching the word to those who do not yet know Jesus. That I may not be found lacking, nor be the cause of another’s stumbling.

Now back to 1st Peter 1:17

according to each one’s work,

Peter is not talking about salvation, here. He has already established that we call upon the Father – we are Christians. He is talking about the works that we do because  we have already  received faith in Jesus Christ. Remember, this letter is written to the pilgrims who had been scattered because of their faith in Christ!! And there are works that we’ve been called to do:

Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Tit 2:14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Do you see how having faith in Christ changes the focus of what we do? We now focus on conforming ourselves to Him, instead of rebelling and demanding to have our own way!  We now desire His way – which is the way of peace and good works.

James 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here

Peter is continuing his treatise on “conduct” – Be holy for I am holy – do not conform yourselves to your former lusts; and now: conduct yourselves. Manage yourselves. Cultivate self-control and persevere in it. Throughout the time of your stay here -- which is for as long as you live on this earth:

Ge 4:7  "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

This is what God said to Cain when he wanted to know why his sacrifice was not good enough – God had judged his work unfit but had graciously told him what he should do.  He should control himself and rule over the sin that sits at his door desiring him. This is still what God wants from us!!  God has not changed!  We are to have self control and serve Him and others. Sin is not to rule over us, we are to rule over sin by refusing it and following Jesus.

Mt 6:1  "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven

Notice that there is a reward from our Father in heaven. And we must respect Him.

in fear;

These two words are always difficult to interpret. We cannot leave them out because God put them there. I often hear Christians quickly insert that they mean “reverence and respect,” which they do mean, but they also mean dread and terror – just like we know the word “fear” means. I think they are meant to keep us on our toes knowing that God is gracious and kind but just like every good father, he is not to be toyed with. The verse that ALWAYS comes into my mind in response to “in fear” is:

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

 And if you read the verses around  Heb 10:31, for context, you will see that they concern someone who has been blessed and filled with the Spirit and then trashes it all and insults the Spirit of Grace!  But we have no need to worry about that.  If you were one of them you would not be reading this lesson! :

Hebrews 10:39  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

We are believers!  And it is continuing to believe in Christ that continues to save us. It is still by faith that we are saved. Real faith creates a new “state of being” in us – a state of being obedient to God!  Our former state was one of disobedience – but we are not there anymore. We have eternal salvation – now -- not temporary salvation. Keep your eye on Jesus. Keep walking with Him. Keep fearing and trusting and loving God:

Phil 2:12-15 ¶  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Paul is telling the Philippians “as you have always obeyed” when I was with you – now that I am not with you – continue to obey -- you be responsible for your “salvation” – the state of having received salvation. He is telling them, “I cannot be with you to hold your hand all the time. You must step up to the plate and begin to be responsible, yourself. You are the ones who have received the salvation, now you must live as if you have been saved; because it is God who is doing a work in you and He does it for His own good pleasure!  You don’t need me to teach you anymore.” Paul told them to let their lights shine so they would stand out like beacons in the night to their neighbors. If they took the bat in their own hands and stepped up to the plate, then Paul could be glad that what he had taught them as their coach, they had taken on and his own hard work would be a blessing to him -- and them -- on judgment day. Hold fast the word of Life!! Continue to believe the Living Word – Jesus!

18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Who is doing the “knowing” here?

What does “redeemed” mean?

What are “corruptible” things?

What is “aimless” conduct?

From where did they get this “aimless conduct?”

What would be the opposite of “aimless” conduct?

19  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

What were we redeemed with?

Why is Jesus called “lamb without blemish and without spot?”

20  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world,

What does “foreordained” mean?

Peter is reminding us that God made provision for our redemption even before He established the world! And also we are not to forget what a high price was paid for us. Jesus had not sinned, but he took the punishment for our sins. He did not just go to jail in our place…. He died in our place. (Oh, God, I am thankful for you. Thank you, Lord Jesus!)

but was manifest in these last times for you  21  who through Him believe in God,

What does “manifest” mean?

For whom was Christ manifest?

What does “who through Him believe in God” mean?

God wants us to know Him, so He sent His Son that we might believe in God.

who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

What was God’s purpose in raising Jesus from the dead and giving Him glory? 

3. What it means to me:

(Believe, Trust, Conform)       ­

Read again: 1 Peter 1:17-21, at the top of this study – and in another translation – Read also: 2 Cor. 5:8-11

Definitions and Synonyms:

1.      aimless  -- purposeless, goal-less, wandering, unoccupied, idle, at loose ends; undirected

2.      blemish -- a moral defect or fault; mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something

3.      called -- to call aloud, to invite, to give a name to, to inspire or urge (someone) to do something, a vocation (calling), a powerful force of attraction

4.      conduct -- the manner in which a person behaves, manner of life, behavior, actions in life

5.      corruptible -- in a state of decay; rotten or putrid; dishonest, evil or unreliable

6.      establish – set up, institute, start, create, begin, launch, found, determine, prove, confirm

7.       faith -- complete trust or confidence in someone or something

8.      fear –terror, dread, horror, fright, concern, regard (God) with reverence and awe, stand in awe of, revere, respect and fear Him

9.      knowing -- the state of being aware or informed.

10.  foreordained  -- (of God) appointed or decreed (decided) beforehand

11.  grace -- God’s freely given gift of good will, loving-kindness, favor

12.  hope -- expecting something good to happen, a person that may help or save someone

13.  manifest -- clear or obvious to the eye or mind, display, show, exhibit, demonstrate, present, reveal

14.  partiality –bias, prejudice, preconception, soft spot, favoritism, preference, unfairly favoring one person above another

15.  Purpose – reason, principle, intention, aim, objective, target, goal, determination, resolution, resolve, persistence, tenacity, single-mindedness. Antonym: indifference

16.  redeem -- buy the freedom of,  regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment

17.  traditions -- customs, beliefs, or actions handed down from generation to generation

1 Peter 1:15-16 – Be Holy for I am Holy

Lesson 5 -- Written by Marcia McCance

A continuation of Lesson 4:

1. What it says:

15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

16  because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

2. What it means:

We conform ourselves to God through our conduct. When God called us, we became one of His and he wants us to “look like Him” to the world. We show our love for Him by our obedience to Him. We cannot do this without the aid of the Holy Spirit which we receive when we put our faith in Jesus Christ and focus our “selves” on God. He, then, becomes our central, centered purpose.

What does the word “focus” mean?

What does the word “purpose” mean?

There is one word found in both lists of synonyms at the end of this lesson. What is it?

Focus is based on purpose and when the two are “in sync” you have “single-mindedness”. You will be looking at, paying attention to, or focusing on, whatever purpose you have in your heart. …  If your purpose is to be holy in all your conduct, then your focus will be on God -- to conform yourself to Him. No one is ever indifferent to treasure. What you treasure, will be your desire and aim.

Matt 6:21  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt 12:35  "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

So the question we need to ask ourselves is “What do I treasure? “ That is not a question to answer on a quiz. That is the question of our lives! We may need to pray that God will place His purpose in our hearts. I believe that when the Holy Spirit came to indwell us, he did place His purpose in our hearts!  We just need to keep refocusing – again and again -- on His purpose!

Heb 8:10  "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Did you ever think about God putting thoughts in your mind?  He does. You can also ask Him to put good thoughts in your mind or change the focus of your heart! He writes His laws on our hearts, as well. What is His purpose in doing that?

Heb 10:16  "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"

Do you see from the two verses above that in the Bible “the mind” and “the heart” are interchangeable?  What is in the heart, is what is on the mind!  We do not have to “muster up” what God has already placed in our hearts, but, we do play a part in God’s purpose. He has commanded us to conform our conduct to His – be holy, for He is holy. Check your conduct to find out what is in your heart. We often do not pay attention to what is in our hearts – we just live our lives from there without consideration of consequences!  If we truly desire to “be holy in all our conduct,” then we consciously manage our conduct.

John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Col 3: 1-2 ¶  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

“Set your mind” is another way of saying “focus.” We need to make adjustments to our thinking to bring our thoughts back to “things above” – where Christ is!  This is not a “one-time deal!”  We may need to refocus many times a day -- which is why it is so important to continue to pray, and to continue to read the Bible, so we will continue to walk with the Lord.

In the following verses fill in the blank with what appears after the words: “do all” (which is conduct, or behavior)

1Cor 10:31

Do all:

Php 2:14-15

Do all:

Php 4:13

Do all:

Col 3:17

Do all:        

                Now go back and write “I can” in front of each “Do all” – do you see a new perspective?

What a humbling thought! To do “all I do” in word or deed in the name of the Lord Jesus as I give thanks to God the Father. In the Bible “word” means scripture or teachings of God. What we do “in word” is speaking, preaching or teaching God’s word -- we are to speak in His name and give thanks to God. This looks like we are to represent Jesus to the world!  Just like a policeman speaks “in the name of the law,” we speak "in the name of Jesus" -- who has authority over all things in heaven and in earth. We counsel others only through His word. We are to mirror Him – be holy as he is holy. We are His salt and His light to the world.

 James 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Heb 13:9  Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, …

James says we need to be patient and make Jesus the foundation of our hearts -- because He is coming soon. Hebrews says that our hearts should be established by grace! We determine whose purpose we cherish – either God’s, or Satan’s – there is no “in-between.”  Meditate on your purpose:  If you need to change the purpose of your heart, pray that the Lord will change your heart to conform to His will and His purpose.

2 Thes 2:16-17 ¶  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

A look at how God and His people relate to His purpose. What do these verses say about God’s purpose that we need to know?

Job 42:2

Isa 14:24

Isa 14:27

Isa 46:11

Eph 3:11

A look at how Jesus fulfilled God’s purpose. What do these verses say about Jesus and God’s purpose that we need to know?

Lu 4:43

John 12:27-33

Heb 7:25

1Jo 3:8

Optional: Read the first chapter of Ephesians looking for “God’s purpose” in Jesus, and for us, in as many places as you can see it.

A look at what our purpose should be. What do these verses say about God’s purpose, or our purpose, that we need to know?

Acts 11:23

Rom 8:28

God makes changes in us, and provision for us, that we could not bring about on our own. It is God who enables and establishes us – based on our focus on Him, our faith in Him, our love for Him, and our obedience to Him. (Recall : “Believe, Trust, Conform”).

Ro 14:8  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

2Ch 30:12  Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD.

Eze 36:33  ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: "On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt.

What does “enable” mean?

2Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

He cleanses us from our iniquities.. He enables us to do His work. He gives us singleness of heart!  By His grace we have all sufficiency in all things – abundance for every good word and work!  He enables and establishes; we believe and conform!

De 28:9  "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.

What does “establish” mean?

What will the LORD establish?

What is our part?

“Walk in His ways” is another way of saying “Be holy in all your conduct.” What did Jesus say were the first two commandments?

Mark 12:29-31   

1Ch 17:14  "And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever."’"

Of whom is this verse prophesying?

The Father, not only establishes us, He established Jesus also!! And since Jesus is God, that means that God establishes HIMSELF!!

Ps 90:17  And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

What a wonderful thought! To let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us!  Wow!  What a wonderful way to say “be holy for I am holy!” What does God establish for us?

Isa 26:12  LORD, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us.

What else does God establish for us?

How many of our works has He done in us?

Ro 10:3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

They were ignorant of what?

So they sought to establish what?

In seeking to build their own righteousness, what did they not do?

Mt 6:33  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

For what two things are we to seek? 

1.

2.

What does it mean to seek God’s righteousness?

When I checked Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, A Commentary,  I found that the Kingdom of God is “that kingdom which the God of heaven is erecting in this fallen world, within which are all the spiritually recovered (born again) …(living) under Messiah as its Divine Head and King.”  “His righteousness" is the character of God as exhibited in the kingdom’s various members (“be holy as I am holy”). The "seeking" of the kingdom of God and His character (righteousness) is to make Him the object of supreme choice and pursuit; and the seeking of them "first" is the seeking of them before and above all else. Single-mindedness! The “all these things” are the basic human necessities which our heavenly Father already knows we need -- and will give us, which is implied, as a matter of course.  (See an illustration of this principle in these amazing verses: 2 Chron 1:11-12)

1Pe 5:10  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The God of what?

To what have we been called?

Who let us know of the calling?

After we have suffered what does God do?

Oh, this is why we depend on Him and His righteousness! His solutions are so much better than ours. His grace is so vast it includes us all!  We are required only to love Him, to believe Him, to trust Him, and to conform ourselves to Him. What Amazing Grace!!

In addition:

Note: When we use the word “purpose” what might come to mind for some is a series of teachings called “A Purpose Driven Life.”  Personally, I do not recommend that series of teachings.  I have had a little experience with those lessons when I attended a neighboring church’s singles group who were studying them. I found them to be a mixture of psychology and religion.  I do not want to mix the philosophies of the world, with the word of God.  Let us keep His Word pure in our hearts. We do not have to live purpose driven, pressure packed lives.  We can live God-directed lives by faith in Him who is able to accomplish His purposes in us.

Further: A lot is also being said today about “self-esteem” which is a psychological term -- but what we really need is to take that self and focus it on God. When we become aware of Who He is… we can do nothing but be humbled, which is the opposite of “self esteem.”  If we keep ourselves focused on, seeking, and learning more and more about, God, we soon begin to see how powerful He is. How big He is. What the center of His heart is. Just look at what God is focused on:

Jer 29:11-13  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

We soon find out that we are the center of His heart!  Jesus is our new future and our new hope -- given to us by God the Father. He did this so we would call upon Him, and pray to Him.  He listens to us! Praise the Lord! We will find God when we search for Him with all our heart – single-minded focus and purpose. He has intervened in our lives through the cross of Jesus Christ to forgive us of our sins against Him and bring us back to Himself -- restoration!  We can bank on that!  If God has forgiven us, we are forgiven!

Mr 2:5  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

So, if you feel bad about your life, take it to the cross and beg God for forgiveness. Then trust in God’s everlasting forgiveness and sin no more. Since He loves you, you are loved. Since He thinks we are worthwhile, then, we are worthwhile. We truly are the center of His heart – His “poema”  -- we are God’s poetry!   Love Him.  Believe Him. Trust Him. Conform to Him. He will enable you, establish you, strengthen you, perfect you, and settle you!

1John 4:19  We love Him because He first loved us.

3. What it means to me:

(Believe, Trust, Conform)  ­ ­

Read again: 1 Peter 1:15-16, at the top of this study – and in another translation.

Definitions and Synonyms:

1.      Consolation – comfort, solace, relief, support. Antonym: grief

2.      Enable – allow, facilitate, permit, make possible

3.      Establish – set up, institute, start, create, begin, launch, found, determine, prove, confirm

4.      Focus –center, focal point, center of attention, concentrate, direct, motivation, single-mindedness, application. Antonym: edge

5.      Purpose – reason, principle, intention, aim, objective, target, goal, determination, resolution, resolve, persistence, tenacity, single-mindedness. Antonym: indifference

1 Peter 1:13-16 - Be Holy, For I am Holy

Lesson 4 -- Written by Marcia McCance

1. What it says:

13 ¶ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.

2. What it means:

13 ¶ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The words “gird up the loins of your mind” are a word picture for strengthening the “back muscles” of your mind in preparation for future ease of use and prevention of injury. How do we go about strengthening the back muscles of the mind?  How do you strengthen physical back muscles?  Exercise!  As you pray and read the Word of God you will be growing in your knowledge of Jesus. You will be so familiar with the truth of God that the philosophies of the world will appear to you to be as shallow as they really are. Since you will recognize the difference between the truth of God and the philosophies of the world, you will desire to keep yourself dedicated to God and not be swayed by things that are not true. You will be levelheaded which is what “sober” means. And you will know that your destiny (destination) is to live with Jesus Christ.

 14 as obedient children,

What a joy “obedient children” are!  What do “obedient children” do?                            

not conforming yourselves

What does “conforming” mean?                                                           

 If we look at the “ORIGIN” of the word “CONFORM” we see:

                “CON” means                              ‘FORM” means                 

                If we combine them we get:                                                       

What is it that Peter says should not be conforming?                                           

to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

What does “former” mean?                                                      

What does “lusts” mean?                                                               

What does “ignorance” mean?                                                             

When were we ignorant?                                                                 

Look up: Jude 1:17-21 (all verses from NKJV)

 What word in this verse is used to describe ‘LUSTS”?                                      

What four things do these verses say about “mockers”?                                                                                                                       

 Look up: Romans 6:11-14

What does this verse call ‘LUSTS”?                                                          

What does “reckon” mean?                                                       

We are to reckon ourselves dead to...?                                                        

We are to reckon ourselves alive to...?                                                        

 Look up: 1 Timothy 6:9

“Lust” is a “strong desire”... what DESIRE is spoken of in this verse?                                      

What 3 things does it say that those who desire this lust will fall into?
                   1
                  2
                  3

What does this particular lust do to men?                                                      

Look up: 2 Timothy 2:22*

What does “FLEE” mean?                                                                 

What does ‘PURSUE” mean?                                                               

What are we to flee from?                                                        

What are we to pursue?                                                                 

Looking back at the verse in 1st Peter again:

 not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

It says NOT CONFORMING  -- YOURSELVES -- to your PAST PRACTICES – when you did not know Christ. It means to leave behind the  activities and forms of pride and selfishness that formerly shaped us. Kill the desire for power over others, and the cravings for things that you now know are not good for you. We know what all those things are, but, as a reminder look up: Galatians 5:19-21 and list the works of the flesh:


                                                                                                                                          

What happens to those who practice such things?                                                 

15 but as He who called you is holy,

What does “called” mean?                                                               

What does “holy” mean?                                                            

Our Most Holy Father and God, has invited (called) you to become part of His family and has given you His name: Christian.
He wants us to conform ourselves to Him with the new practices of a Christian heart and life!   “As He who called you is holy.” -- God does not participate in unholy activities -- God is always, and only, Holy and Good!

 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

The word “as” says a comparison is being made.  What two things are being compared?                                  
                                    

And what are we being told to be?          
Does this mean we are supposed to try to “be like God”?         

Genesis 3:4-5 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Can we “be like God?” Should we try to “be like God?” NO -- that was the sin that Adam and Eve committed! We can’t really be like God -- we sin every day -- God never sins. So what do these words mean? Look again at the words in the verse:

 be holy in all your conduct,

What is “conduct”                                                                     

God is already holy in all His conduct -- we are to be holy in all our conduct -- just like He is. This is about conduct, or behavior, or actions.

Read Galatians 5:22-26

“The fruit of the Spirit” is another way to say “conduct.” List the Christian conduct we are to nurture:

                                                                                                                                                                                   
What do they crucify?
What do they live in?
What do they walk in?
What is required for us to be able to bear this kind of fruit (act this way)?

Read Luke 11:13

What can we do to be filled with the Spirit?                                               

Back to First Peter:
16 because it is written,     

What do the words “it is written” mean?                                                       

God reveals Himself in His word; that’s why we obey His word. (For confirmation read: Leviticus 11:44-45; Psalm 86:2)

“Be holy, for I am holy.”

Since “holy” means “consecrated” (set apart) and God never goes near sin -- that is what we are to do.  Just like God never goes near to sin -- we must draw near to God and stay away from sin.

3. What does this mean to me?

What kinds of worldly things tempt me most often?


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

   Scofield Notes on the bible:  Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and Gr. words variously rendered "sin," "sinner," etc., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations.  Sin is:

--transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil

--iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not;

--error, a departure from right

--missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard;

--trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority

--lawlessness, spiritual anarchy

--unbelief, an insult to the divine veracity (reality, authenticity, truth)

   Sin originated with Satan #Isa 14:12-14, entered the world through Adam #Ro 5:12, was, and is, universal -- Christ alone excepted -- #Ro 3:23; 1Pe 2:22, incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death #Ge 2:17 3:1, Eze 18:4,20; Ro 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ #Heb 9:26; Ac 4:12 availed of by faith #Ac 13:38,39. 

Sin may be summarized as threefold:

--An act, the violation of, or want (lack) of obedience to, the revealed will of God;

--a state, absence of righteousness;

--a nature, enmity toward God.

How do I, personally, draw near to God?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 Albert Barnes Notes: James 4:8. KJV -- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (Compare #2 Ch 15:2-4.) This declaration contains a great and important principle…. If we wish the favor of God, we must come to him; nor can we hope for his mercy, unless we approach him and ask him for it. We cannot come, literally, any nearer to God than we always are, for he is always round about us; but we may come nearer in a spiritual sense.

--We may address him directly in prayer;

--We may approach him by meditation on his character;

--We may draw near to him in the ordinances of religion.

We can never hope for his favor while we prefer to remain at a distance from him;

--none who, in fact, draw near to him will find him unwilling to bestow on them the blessings which they need.

Drawing near to God means focusing on Him and walking in His Presence day by day. Just like using a camera with a telephoto lens, we first focus, then refocus.  As you focus in and out things in the lens become more or less sharp. It takes practice. and must be done over and over again.

Another look at: SOBER = levelheaded

                If we want to know what a word such as “levelheaded” means, we can look at the two words that were combined to make this one word.  LEVEL and HEADED have been combined to create a word picture related to “sober.”

                LEVEL – Think of a carpenter’s level.  This is a device made from a sealed glass tube which is partially filled with liquid, revealing an air bubble whose position tells us whether a surface is perfectly level, straight, and true -- or not. The eye, on its own, cannot tell whether something is level, because distracting angles in the background can make something look level when it really is not level. So the good carpenter will measure his work with a level to make sure it is perfectly straight and true.

Our “level” is the Bible. With it we can measure our lives to make sure they are level, straight, and true.  Reading the Bible keeps us level -- levelheaded -- sober. We can use our level to make needed corrections because the Bible points out where we may need to make those changes. “On the level” means being honest, faithful, and true.

                HEADED -- the mind -- the thinking processes that we use. “Levelheaded” is a mind that is not wavering and rippling about in strange waters. It is settled on the Word of God. A mind that remains smooth because it is focused on Jesus!

 We’ve also heard of the phrase “headed in the right direction” -- meaning that a person is facing a particular direction and moving towards a specific goal. “Headed” means the decision has already been made and he’s on the road traveling in that direction.

So... to a Christian, “levelheaded” (SOBER) is:

                --one who seeks God in his/her personal life – PRAYER, PRAISE, WORSHIP

                --one who strengthens his/her own mind -- BIBLE STUDY -- ENCOURAGES THEMSELVES IN HIS WORD

                --one who lives according to God’s word -- OBEDIENT, IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, CONFORMING  HIM/HERSELF TO HIM

                --one who is grateful for God’s gifts – THANKFUL FOR: JESUS, THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SALVATION, GRACE,

                --one who trusts in God’s grace -- RESTS HIS/HER HOPE (DESTINY) UPON THE GRACE OF GOD IN JESUS CHRIST

4. Personal Application – a note to myself:

BELIEVE, TRUST, CONFORM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Read, again, 1 Peter 1:13 -16 -- at the top of this study, and in another translation.

DEFINITIONS AND SYNONYMS

called -- to call aloud, to invite, to give a name to, to inspire or urge (someone) to do something, a vocation (calling), a powerful force of attraction

conduct -- the manner in which a person behaves, manner of life, behavior, actions in life

conforming -- (of a person) to behave according to acceptable standards; to be similar in form or type; agree, comply with rules, standards, or laws  -- ORIGIN: Middle English (in the sense [make (something) like another thing] ): from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- ‘together’ + formare ‘to form.’

consecrate -- sanctify, bless, make holy, dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart

  flee -- run away from a place or situation of danger

form -- shape, develop, grow, mold, produce, structure, kind, style, method, practice

former -- past, bygone, olden, long-ago, gone by, of old. antonym: future, present.

gird up -- tie up, bind; prepare and strengthen oneself for what is to come.

grace -- God’s freely given gift of good will, loving-kindness, favor; of the merciful kindness  by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, and affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

holy -- set a apart, sacred (physically pure, morally blameless, ceremonially clean, consecrated to God)

hope -- expecting something good to happen, a person or thing that may help or save someone, grounds for believing that something good may happen,

ignorance -- unaware of, unfamiliar with, lack of knowledge about; informal: clueless. Antonym: understanding, familiarity, knowledge, education.

levelheaded -- confident, well-balanced, sensible, practical, wise, mature,  sober, no-nonsense, calm, self-possessed, having one's feet on the ground; unflappable, together, grounded. Antonym: excitable, foolish.

loins -- back muscles, on both sides of the spine between the lowest ribs and the hipbones

lusts -- feel a strong desire for something, craving, appetite, fleshly appetite

mock  -- ridicule, tease, laugh at, scorn, deride, fake, pretend, imitate, mimic, parody, ape

perdition -- complete and irreparable loss, ruin, complete loss of the soul, hell

pursue -- run after, chase, go after; follow, hunt, stalk, track, trail, shadow, hound, strive for, work toward, seek, search for, aim at, aspire to

reckon -- consider, think, deem, suppose, surmise, calculate, add up, count,

rest -- depend on, be grounded in, be placed or supported to stay in a specified position,

sanctification -- set apart, declared holy; consecrated

sober -- clearheaded, serious, not drunk, sensible, thoughtful, levelheaded, objective, matter-of-fact, no-nonsense, rational, logical, straightforward. ANTONYM: frivolous, drunk, flamboyant, silly