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Followers of Jesusgrace and peacePeter

The End of the First Letter

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Peter has written his letter by a man named Silvanus. He identified him as a faithful brother and identifies the writing as a brief exhortation. It is also a testimony of the true grace of God in which these Jewish Christians stand. As he finishes his letter, he exhorts the elders, the younger people and all others before finalizing his greetings.

The Elders

When Peter addresses the elders, we see his humility. He writes not just as a fellow laborer, but as a witness to the sufferings of Jesus who along with them is a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. He says, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you.” Then he describes the way to do it. Be overseers not because you have to and not to make dishonest money. Rather than lord over them, be an example so when the Chief Shepherd returns you will receive a crown of glory that never fades away.

The Younger People

To the younger people, Peter says be submissive to your elders. Then he clarifies that he is talking to all of them. “Be clothed with humility,” He quotes Solomon, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.” When the time is right He will exalt you. Take all your worries to Him. God cares for you.

All Others

But look out. None of his readers are immune. You have an adversary. Like a lion, he prowls about looking for someone to devour. If you are sober and watchful, you can resist him by standing firm in your faith. You are not alone in your sufferings. Your brothers throughout the world experience the same things. To this he adds a prayer, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered for awhile, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.”

He then signs off with a blessing of peace. As he finished this first letter, he exhorts the elders, the younger people and all others before finalizing his greetings.

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Body of ChristFamilyFollowers of JesusGuide to Christian Family LifePeter

Following Jesus at Home

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

After Peter wrote about the believer’s conduct in the community, he addressed following Jesus at home. He knew that the Shepherd of our souls understood the environment necessary for the thriving of our souls. First he wrote to wives, secondly to husbands and wrapped it up with a word to all.

A Word to Wives

When Peter wrote to wives, he addressed submission, chaste conduct and internal beauty. You may be able to win over husbands because of the way you act, he tells them. Be submissive to your own husband. Worry more about the hidden person of your heart, the quiet, gentle spirit which is precious to God rather than outward appearances. Follow the example of other godly women. Do good and don’t live in fear.

A Word to Husbands

In his words to husbands, he told them to live with their wives, with understanding and honour. Together, they are heirs of life. If you don’t, he told them, it will affect your prayer life. Your prayers will be hindered.

A Word to All

Finally he wrote a word to all. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.” All of you, be of one mind, compassionate, tenderhearted, humble, not revengeful or tit for tat but rather bless to receive blessing. “Turn away from evil and do good; … seek peace and pursue it.” Love as brothers.

God’s word remains our guidebook for our conduct as Christ followers in our communities, and in our homes. The apostle Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, first wrote to the wives, secondly to husbands and wrapped it up with a word to all.

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Cross of ChristFollowers of JesusPeterServanthoodSuffering

The Christian’s Benchmark

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

In 1 Peter 2:11-25, he describes the conduct of Christ followers living visible to the world. Their benchmark is Jesus Christ. When an example is needed for how to respond when suffering as neigbours, citizens or under another’s authority, we look to God’s Son. Jesus lived as a servant, who suffered, and has become the Shepherd of our souls.

A Servant

Jesus lived as a servant. Paul in his letter to the Philippians wrote, “… He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant,…” As Peter wrote to sojourners and pilgrims, we read the words of the writer to the Hebrews. He described living as strangers here while looking for an eternal city. Jesus sojourned here as a servant, to fulfill the word of God, to bring Him glory. Peter said, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men- as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as servants of God.”

Who Suffered

He was a servant who suffered. Peter goes on to describe to his readers the style of conduct Jesus set forth as an example, “to follow in His steps.” He quoted the prophet Isaiah, “Who committed no sin, Nor was (deceit) found in His mouth.” The religious leaders of his day harshly criticized and condemned Jesus, but instead of threatening them, He trusted God to be the righteous judge. He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.”

To Become Our Shepherd

Peter continued using an example that Jesus Himself used. Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Peter told his readers, “You have returned to the Overseer of your souls. You used to be sheep lost and wandering but not anymore.” Jesus Christ came as a servant to do God’s will. It involved a life of suffering in order to become the Shepherd of our souls. May our conduct follow in His footprints.

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Alive in ChristFollowers of Jesusidentitymercynew creation

God’s Special People

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Today we reflect on Peter’s address about being God’s special people. As a new creation, born into the family of God, old things have passed away and all things become new. Peter speaks to the old things, describes the new reality, and proclaims the believers new identity.

Jesus our cornerstone, the cornerstone of God’s House.

Old Things

Peter, like the writer to the Hebrews, states that certain things must be left behind. They are part of the old life and have no place in the new. What things are they? These are characteristics that don’t line up with being children of our Father who is love. He lists malice which is the desire to hurt someone, all guile which is being duplicitous in the attaining of goals, hypocrisy, saying one thing and living another, envy, wanting someone else’s good things, and all evil speaking. Peter says “laying aside.” It is a process of putting these behaviours away.

New Reality

Instead, he writes, if you have tasted that God is gracious, long for God’s word the way a new baby wants milk so you can grow up into Him. You are different. You have come to a living stone, “the chief cornerstone”. Though chosen by God and precious, He is the starting place of God’s house despite His rejection by men. You also are like living stones being built together into a “spiritual house” a “holy priesthood” for the purpose of offering spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ.

New Identity

He furthers speaks to the believer’s new identity. You are “a chosen generation, a holy priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” Your purpose is to proclaim His praises. He is who called you “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Now you are God’s people when you were not a people. You have now obtained mercy when you had not experienced mercy before.

Put away the old ways, they don’t fit your new life. Don’t be disobedient to the word and stumble. You have a position within a new reality. You are a new creation being built up in the Lord Jesus for the praise of God. You have experienced mercy and become people of God.

Peter speaks still, to the old things, describing the new reality, and proclaiming the believers new identity.

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Alive in ChristChrist's ReturnFollowers of JesusLife in ChristPeter

A Transformed Life

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

As believers in Jesus our lives are transformed. Begotten into a living hope, with an indestructible inheritance, we rejoice. If necessary to purify our faith there will be trials. All this, according to Peter, demands a response. Peter gives a directive, the reason for it and summarizes.

The Directive

Peter directs his readers. “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, rest your hope fully upon the grace to be (received) when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Be God’s obedient children, live to the spirit not the flesh, and like He who called you, be holy. If you call on God the impartial judge, as long as you live, do so in reverence to God.

The Reason

Then he writes out the reason. “Before the foundation of the world,” he wrote, God planned the death and resurrection of Jesus, why? Peter explained it was to buy us back from our aimless conduct. God didn’t offer some material, easily corrupted method. No! He orchestrated the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, so we could put our faith and hope in God.

Peter Summarizes

Peter summarizes his thoughts thus. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren,” he writes, “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” He explains. You have been born anew, not by a flimsy transaction but rather an incorruptible one, through the word of God which is eternal. Everything else will pass away, rust or fade away with time. “But the word of the Lord endures forever.” As my dad used to say, “that’s a promise you can take to the bank.”

Peter gave a directive, the reason for it and summarized.

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Christ's ReturnFinding strengthFollowers of JesusLife in ChristSufferingWhen in trouble

Having Troubles?

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Peter wrote to the pilgrims regarding their great heavenly inheritance and of their being kept by God’s power. There was much to rejoice in. However, in writing of this gracious salvation, he addressed the issue of having troubles. From his words, we learn further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and their ultimate purpose.

Salvation

First we learn of salvation. Peter tells his readers that salvation from God causes them great rejoicing. Though they have never seen Jesus, they believe and it has brought them a joy that cannot be expressed. They rejoice with a joy that is full of glory and are receiving the result of their faith. It is a salvation received by faith and ultimately revealed at the end of time when Jesus is revealed.

Trials

Next we learn of trials. In all the wonders of salvation, there is something else. Peter wrote that If it was necessary, and only for a little while, grievous troubles would come. Jesus and the other disciples also talked of trials. Jesus talked about having joy amid persecution because of the great reward in heaven, Paul wrote that trials were temporary and working for us something which far exceeded any trouble on earth. James also says to count it all joy when encountering trials for he wrote that they work patience in the believer. Though grievous they have purpose.

Purpose

What purpose could our troubles have other than to make life miserable? They do have purpose. Have you wondered about the reality of your faith? Before your peers, before your own soul, before God, is your faith genuine? Troubles, like refineries to gold, remove the impurities of our faith. Peter wrote that a person’s faith is far more valuable than gold. Gold will pass away, but our faith, tested by the troubles we face, prepare us for the day Jesus is revealed. When Jesus returns, our faith, tested and tried through the refinery of trouble, will bring praise, honour, and glory to God the Father. Even though we cannot see Him, we love Him, believe in Him and rejoice in the salvation of our souls.

From these words we learned further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls at the revealing of the Lord Jesus.

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bold, confident and unafraidChrist's ReturnConfidenceFollowers of JesusHeavensafe and secure in Christ

Our Inheritance

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

One day when Jesus observed the anxiety on the face of His disciples, He made them a promise. “I am going to prepare a place for you. Then I am coming back to get you so we can be together.” The cross and the resurrection still lay ahead of them. Their finite minds grappled with His words. Here, beyond the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter writes a letter in which he describes what awaits those who believe in Jesus. He writes of an inheritance, where it is, and who will receive it.

The Inheritance

God has not only begotten us to a living hope but also to an inheritance. Unlike the things of this world, it cannot be corrupted or resisted. Neither can it fade away. It brings to mind the words of Jesus when He says to lay up our treasures where you have no worries about thieves, rust or moths.

Where It Is

Peter writes that it is being reserved for us in heaven. In Mark’s gospel we read that Jesus was received up into heaven where He sat down at the Father’s right hand. In John 6:38 Jesus told His listeners that He came down from heaven. When Jesus spoke, it was of the things He knew about heaven. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus hasn’t entered a holy place made by men but rather the true heaven where God resides. Our inheritance is with God the Father and Jesus.

Who Will Receive It

Peter writes it is for those who “are kept by the power of God.” It is through faith for salvation and it is ready to be revealed in the last time. As followers of Jesus, we are born again and begin a process of working our our salvation with fear and trembling until the day when all of the enemies of God, the last one being death, lie beneath His feet. We who search for that city whose builder and maker is God, will receive an unshakeable kingdom. Hear the words of Jude, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty dominion and power, both now and forever.”

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Followers of JesusidentityJoynew creationPeter

Peter Writes a Letter

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Having looked at the Epistles of John, we now turn our attention to the First Epistle of Peter. He identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. We know him from the gospels as a fisherman, a man whose faith was tested, who denied the Christ and was restored to the Kingdom of God. He writes his letter to the temporary residents of the scattering of the Jews to places like Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. He calls them elect in regards to three significant positions.

Position One

First they are elect according to the foreknowledge of God. They were already in God’s thoughts. He was the source, the One with the plan, who sees it through to its completion. Paul’s writing confirm this truth. In Ephesians 1:4 he wrote “He chose us before the foundations of the world.” Then in Romans he further writes, “For whom He foreknew.” God’s plan of salvation had long been in the works.

Position Two

Secondly, they are elect according to the sanctification of the Spirit. The helper came once Jesus departed. It is He who works in believers to set them apart for God’s work. the gospel came in the power of the Spirit, with much assurance and with joy.

Position Three

Thirdly, they are elect for a purpose, “for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.” The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus, “So shall He sprinkle many nations, Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them, they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.” Paul wrote in Romans 1:5, “through Him we received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations for His name.” God’s plan gave great purpose. The apostle Peter calls them elect in regards to these three significant positions. This word still speaks.

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Alive in ChristBody of ChristFollowers of JesusRejection of Christ

The Last hour

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

John, addresses the little children, (the young in the faith) and tells them it is the last hour. He could have said it is the eleventh hour, but his point is clear. Time is running out. How does he know? He writes that the appearance of many antichrists is the indicator. But, to his readers he writes, “You have an anointing,” “You know the truth,” and “You acknowledge the Father.”

An Anointing

John in the midst of those falling away, writes to those who stay, about their anointing. We find clarification in 2 Cor.1:21 where Paul writes “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, is God.” John comforts them by explaining that those who left, (the body of Christ), did not belong or they would have stayed. God establishes His people and anoints them.

The Truth

He further tells them they have the truth. In John 8 he quotes Jesus, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” In John 16:13 we read, “However, when the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John knows the work of the Spirit in these young believers. By the Spirit of God they are established, they know and are established in the truth. The Spirit of God will guide them into all truth. Jesus further declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Why is it the last hour? Many antichrists have come. Antichrist is anyone who denies the Father and the Son and is a liar.

Acknowledge the Son

These, little children, new in the faith, placed their trust in Jesus. They walk in the light and have fellowship with Him. As they, do His blood cleanses from all sin. Because they have acknowledged the Son, unlike the antichrists, they also acknowledge the Father. Their anointing helps them to know and understand spiritual things. To them he says, “You have an anointing,” “You know the truth,” and “You acknowledge the Father and the Son, but there are those who have left us, they are antichrist. This indicates the last hour.

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Family of GodFollowers of Jesus

To Whom Does John Write

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

In the next verses of 1 John 2, John communicates to whom he is writing. Experiencing Jesus and the subsequent presence of the Holy Spirit caused a fire within him. He had to write about it. Following Jesus is being part of a family developing at individual levels. John wrote to those at all levels of maturity. He wrote for the little children, he wrote for the young men and he also wrote to the Fathers.

“I write to you, little children, fathers, and young men.”

Little Children

First he wrote to the little children. Many of the little ones in the faith already knew about God the Father. They knew the stories of Moses, and the songs of the Psalmist. Then Jesus came and opened the way to the Father. Now, they experienced the forgiveness of sins by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus. Doing so, they became little children in the faith.

Young Men

Next he wrote to the young men. By this stage of development, they have learned to overcome the wicked one. They have studied the word of God and it became alive within them. Its truths taught them their identity in Christ and strengthened them to stand against the wicked one. When tempted, the word of God came by the Holy Spirit, and strengthened them against the enemy’s lies.

Fathers

Finally, when he writes to the Fathers, he mentions that they have known the Father not from the beginning but rather, He who was at the beginning. As they have known the Father and experienced not only having their sins forgiven, they have also learned to overcome the wicked one. Eventually they grew into positions of teaching and modeling to others. It resulted from their personal experiences of knowing Him who was the the beginning of the world, coming to know the Son, and their walk with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t let the address to men and Fathers trip you up. The issue is the relationship with God and the level of maturity. Young women and mothers can be used interchangeably. John is writing to all levels of maturity regardless whether male or female, members of the family of God.

John writes for all levels of maturity. He writes for the little children, he writes for the young men and he also writes to the Fathers.

Little Children

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