1 Peter 1:1-7 Salvation Ready to be Revealed WC McCarter
Introduction
Christmas
is not what the world wants to make it: commercialized, materialism, Santa Claus,
etc. Christmas is about our salvation.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
From Peter to the Pilgrims (1-3)
The
opening verses of Peter’s first letter are packed with theological
significance. There is the standard “from” and “to” but so much more. First of
all, the letter is from Peter. Many critical readers today claim that Peter did
not write 1 & 2 Peter on the basis that the Greek writing is too good for a
poor, Galilean fisherman. Yet, the letter states at the very beginning that it
is from Peter. From the earliest of days, the church has affirmed that Peter
was the author. Peter claims the title of “apostle” in the opening line. While
the word could simply mean “messenger” or “sent one,” Peter uses it here in the
technical sense. He was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ as an apostle of
a select group for a specific purpose with special authority. We all probably
know Peter from reading the Gospels. He was one of Jesus’ inner-circle; he was
the leader/spokesman for the twelve disciples; he betrayed the Lord three
times; he was restored by the Lord after the resurrection; and he preached the
first Christian sermon on the day of Pentecost. His life and ministry was
marked by ups and downs, but, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he ended up as a
strong apostolic leader of the early church.
After
naming himself as the author, Peter then states the recipient of the letter:
the pilgrims of the Dispersion. Peter refers to Christians as pilgrims, a
designation he also uses in 2:11. The reason for the title is Christians do not
belong to this world but are only passing through. Our citizenship is in
heaven. That is why it is so sad to see so many Christians tangled up with
worldly things. Our satisfaction is not ultimately found in this world. Our
treasure is not in this world. Our treasure is in heaven. You know that this
life does not last forever. We are only on this earth for a few decades. We are
like a vapor which is here for a little while and then is gone. Life is like a
blink of an eye. Let me encourage you to not waste your life. If you are older,
don’t waste the time you have remaining. If you are younger, don’t waste the
time that God may permit you to have. Tomorrow is no guarantee. Long years is
no guarantee. Trust the Lord today. Store up treasures in heaven. Stop dabbling
into the lusts of this world.
Christians
were scattered all over the Roman Empire because of mission work that had been
done by folks like Paul. Peter writes to Christians in five different places in
the same geographical area of Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. If you
take a look at a map, you will find these places close together. The word
“dispersion” is probably related to “pilgrims.” These Christians are not
ultimately where they belong, but will soon be gathered together.
“Elect”
means chosen and is often used of Israel but now refers to Christians. The
election is on the basis of God’s foreknowledge. He looked into the future and
knew that you would put your faith in Him. He declared in eternity past that
all who put their faith in the Messiah would be chosen for salvation. Then it
says, “In sanctification of the Spirit.” You are being made holy. The Holy
Spirit comes into your life to put to death the deeds of the flesh. This is
part of your salvation. This is part of your election. And so is obedience. As
you become holy, you become obedient. Lastly, you are saved by the sprinkling
of the blood of Jesus Christ. He came into the world to save sinners, people
like us, by the sprinkling of His blood (His atonement).
Peace
was a common greeting and goodbye in the Jewish culture, but it had been
transformed by Jesus Christ. He went to the cross to make peace between mankind
(those who come to God by faith in Christ) and God the Father. Jesus, on the
night that He was betrayed, said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to
you.” After He was crucified and raised from the dead
Our Inheritance (4-7)
Incorruptible-
it can’t be destroyed, changed, or taken away.
Undefiled-
holy and godly.
Does
not fade away- it is not going anywhere, it is eternal.
Reserved
in heaven for you- it is reserved in heaven for you. That’s why we are called
pilgrims.
Verse
five goes on to say that we are kept in our saved state by the power of God. We
are not once saved always saved people, but we preach the assurance of
salvation. “If” you continue in the faith, established and firm, not moved from
the Gospel which we first believed. God’s power keeps us saved through faith.
Salvation is an already not yet.
Here
is the second advent- salvation will be fully revealed when Christ returns.
This is something worth rejoicing over. This motivates joy like nothing else.
Even in the midst of hardship, we rejoice. There is a reason for our hard days.
Everybody has hard days, whether they are Christians or not. The Bible gives us
some answers. There is a God-ordained reason for everything that happens in our
lives. One significant reason for trials is to prove the genuineness of our
faith. Those trials prove that you have your faith which is for salvation. When
the wind of God’s wrath blows, you will stand because your faith has been
tested and proven to be strong in the Lord. When He returns, there will be
great rejoicing because that is when you will receive your full salvation, your
heavenly, eternal inheritance.