Devotion

Read: 1 Peter 1:18-21; Ephesians 1:6-7

In verses 18-21 Peter calls the attention of believers to the priceless redemption God has secured for them. He introduces the value of our redemption as another reason for holy living. The words, "Forasmuch as ye know," at the beginning of verse 18 is a common method of expanding the preceding thought, which in this case is the reasons for holy living (vv. 14-17). (Such phrases are found in Romans 5:3; 6:9; 2 Corinthians 1:7; 4:14; 5:6; etc.)...

Read: 1 Peter 1:2b; 2 Corinthians 4:15

Peter greeted the readers of his epistle, God's elect, by wishing spiritual blessings: "Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (v.2b).

It is interesting to note that in all the apostolic greetings where grace and peace appears, grace precedes peace (2 Peter 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 John 3). None can know the peace of God without first experiencing the work of God's grace in their hearts. Everyone who receives God's grace will also receive the result of God's grace, which is peace...

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-8; Isaiah 28:16

Rocks in the field may be looked upon by some as useless, but it can also be useful to some others. It all depends on how people view the rocks. Only those who see the goodness of the rock will find it very useful, while others will find it a ‘curse.’

In the passage that starts with verse 4, Peter tells us that Jesus Christ is a ‘precious’ and ‘living stone’ to the community of believers, though unbelievers view Him as a ‘rock of offence.’ The believers build their own lives upon Him as ‘lively stones’ to form ‘a spiritual house’, the church...

Read: 1 Peter 1:8c-9; Romans 15:13

Christians must be committed to rejoice always. It is important that we will be conscious about the biblical injunction to rejoice. We must resist every one of the devil's attempts to make us sad and troubled. The biblical command to us is "Rejoice evermore" (1 Thessalonians 5:16)...

Read: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Exodus 19:6

It is another privilege of the Christians with an Old Testament parallel. Peter’s idea of royal priesthood is drawn from Exodus 19:6, where God said of Israel, "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests." However Israel forfeited its privilege offered to it. When Israel apostatised and executed their Messiah, they lose the privilege of being a kingdom of priests. Peter affirms that at present the church is the royal priesthood of God.

We not only serve the King as His priests, but also reign with Him. The Greek word for ‘royal’ (Basileios) can refer to a royal palace, sovereignty, crown, or monarchy. Here the idea is royalty in general...

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-2; James 1:21

In 1:22-25 Peter presented the importance of God’s Word in the regeneration of people. In this second chapter of his epistle his thought progresses to the growth of believers by feeding on God’s Word (2:2)...

Read: 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24-25

According to Apostle Peter, apart from the eternal inheritance, there is yet another privilege that we receive upon our regeneration, and it is our eternal protection. He says that beleivers are " are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." ...

Read: 1 Peter 1:3; Psalms 116:13-15

Peter praises God for the salvation of the Lord that reached and blessed his readers - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us…"

Read: 1 Peter 1:17; 2 Corinthians 7:1

In the preceding passage (1:13-16), Peter taught us that hope and holiness are the fruits of the great salvation in Jesus Christ. The new passage is connected to the preceding by means of the word "and" which appears at the beginning of verse 17. Thus we understand that holiness is inevitably connected to fearing God, a challenge that Peter gives to all Christians at the end of verse 17...

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Obedience to the truth: Verse 22 began with these words - "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth." From the point of conversion, all true believers manifest obedience to the truth preached to them. We often describe salvation in terms of faith. However, faith does not rule out the reality of obedience. Faith leads us to obey the Gospel truth. It is in obedience to the Word preached to us that we repent and trust the Lord for our salvation. It is the obedient faith that brings the purification of our souls possible...