(1Pe 1:17) And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
(1Pe 1:18) knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
(1Pe 1:19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
In the previous verse, Peter calls us to be holy just as God is holy; holiness being one of God’s distinct attributes. Now in verse 17, Peter talks about our Father’s action-one who judges impartially. Even though at first glance it seems like Peter is making a qualification by saying “if you call on him as Father…”, it seems more like he is assuming that it is something we should naturally do as a Christian, because he says in the next verse we “know that we were ransomed from the futile ways…”.
So verses 16, 17 seem to point out to the simple yet profound truths of God – God’ holiness and His justice. Focusing more on v.17 and God’s justice, Peter says that we need to “conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile” (1 Peter is talking to believers dispersed Israelites provinces of Asia Minor and the general topic is Christians living among the Jews, as pilgrims and strangers on earth).
This past verse really stood out to me because I feel like I do not live with fear as I should in this time of “exile.” It is so important to have a healthy fear of God even as it says in proverbs fear is the beginning of wisdom, and in phillipians – live out your faith with fear and trembling. Knowing that God is a JUST God and realizing that I am a Sinner should be enough to bring me to my knees. And I think many times, this lack of fear and even respect for God stems from not knowing fully who He (holiness) is and what he has done (justification through Christ).
I remember my old small group leader few years back mentioned he is able to overcome lust/temptation just by thinking of WHO God is and knowing that he created the universe and just putting things into perspective. I admit that this has not worked for me and I think it is because I can’t fully comprehend the greatness of God is my daily living. Of courses there are flashes of His glory when I’m surrounded by nature, but for me i realized I still struggle with this understanding of His attributes in my mundane everyday walk.
BUT, if Peter stopped just at v.17, it would be pretty dang depressing because, like I was saying before, I know I’m sinful and if God only judges according to my every deed, I would be in big big trouble. The next two verses 18-19, our only source of hope and only true encouragement in this world, is the simple Gospel truth in how our salvation has been bought by Christ’ blood and our redemption through Christ. At the same time, this doesn’t take away from God’s justice by condemning sinners like us, but his justice is maintained even more so with love and sacrifice.
So all in all: Our God, who is Holy, judges accordingly through what Christ has done in our lives and deserves our fear and reverence.
Prayer requests:
1. School/personal – I realized this week that if I have something to do (eg. exam, project), I kinda drop everything else and do whatever that thing i have to do for that week. So please pray that I may really effectively manage my time and be diligent in not only studying for school but studying for God and to really try to focus and rely on God.
2. Family- that i may not be a burden to them at home because i feel like my stress sometimes seeps out of me and builds up an aura, and i seem to take out my stress at home.
3. missions- I have to keep missing meetings and activities but that I may have the right heart even now to prepare myself.
