1 Peter 1 reminds me of waking up early while camping. In the dark and cold of morning while others are sleeping, I stir the ashes to find a few remaining embers. With care and kindling, the fire can be blazing in a few minutes. One by one people wake up and are drawn to the fire. Today’s lesson is about sharing the warmth with others. The apostle Peter was a man of action, but many times he reacted with little forethought. Peter received the strongest rebukes and the most profound redemption. It is the radically saved Peter that writes “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout… Asia”. He calls himself simply: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.” This letter is also written to all Christians as a reminder that morning is coming. He addresses the reader as “chosen… through the sanctifying work of the Spirit… obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood.” Peter lifts up a light for the lost: “Praise be to… God… He has given us… a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” By God’s faithfulness, we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Peter describes the darkest hours of life: “for a little while you may have had to suffer grief.” But he knows that those who have received the Holy Spirit of God, “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” He describes a phenomenon that continues in every country and culture: “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.” Peter describes this emerging from darkness as “the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Peter was a rough fisherman, but he was also a Jew. He was taught the Law of Moses, and the wisdom and warnings of the prophets. He explains that the prophets wrote much “Concerning this salvation”. Through exile and captivity and through military triumph, they “predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.” Peter reveals that the promises to Israel are extended to those adopted by faith, as “have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel.” Peter fully expects a dramatic change in the life of every believer. It is time to wake up. “With minds that are alert and fully sober”, focus on “the grace” revealed through Jesus Christ. This invitation of peace with God is open to all.
Peter continues, since you are now living in the light: “do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” Dangers hidden in the dark are made clear at daybreak. He adds, the One who called you is holy, “so be holy in all you do.” We cannot make ourselves holy. We simply reflect the righteousness of Christ. The chill of the night is overcome by resting near the heat of the fire. Peter continues with a reminder that our home is in heaven. He says to “live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear”. Fire has the power to save lives, or destroy everything. We must never be careless in how we handle it. We represent the Father, and people will see Him through us. Peter says that God “judges each person’s work impartially.” God is perfect in righteousness, and perfect in mercy. Each of us were “redeemed from the empty way of life.” It is heartless to not extend that same grace to others. The message Peter taught is: “Christ, a lamb without blemish… was chosen before the creation of the world… for your sake.” We cannot be perfect, so God made a way: “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead.” We do not have to earn God’s love. Peter says: “your faith and hope are in God.” How should we react to God’s mercy? “Love one another deeply, from the heart.” Once we have experienced the comfort of God’s forgiveness, we are to share that warmth with others: “For you have been born again… through the living and enduring Word of God.” Even in the darkest hour, we can cling to the hope that morning is coming. Friend, is it time to rekindle your fire?