Last updated on December 15, 2024
Today’s reading is from 1 Peter.
We haven’t heard much from Peter in awhile. Luke doesn’t mention him after the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), but he has apparently spent most of his time in Jerusalem. At some point he journeyed to Rome. The two letters that he writes are to a large audience. These churches are facing persecution, and he wants to encourage them.
Peter begins, like James, with talk about suffering. He says that they can rejoice in the suffering that they are going through. He relates it to gold that goes through the refiner’s process. When we suffer we are going through a refining process, and we come out on the other side better.
Peter wants them to continue to grow closer to Christ. He says, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
He then reminds them of who God called them to be…
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Towards the end of the letter he issues a challenge…
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11
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