Lesson 12

Observation

Outline

Be Holy (1:13-16)

Fear God (1:17-21)

Love One Another (1:22-25)

Key Words/Phrases

Gird up the loins of your mind, sober, hope, revelation of Jesus Christ, obedient, holy, conduct, judges, fear, redeemed, precious blood of Christ, foreordained, manifest, for you, purified, truth, love, born again, incorruptible, word of God, abides forever.

General Analysis

Verse 13 makes a reference to the revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 17 mentions our present stay in this world and future judgment. Verse 23 to 25 contrast the temporal existence and the eternal word of God.

The commands in this passage are for believers, who are sojourners in this world with a hope in the glorious future. A right perspective about the present and the future motivates us to godly living.

Segment Analysis

1.      The reason is the preciousness of salvation, as stated in the previous passage (1-12).

2.      Just as a man gathered the folds of his long garment to facilitate movement and work, we should remove the hindrances in our spiritual progress (Heb 12:1). Instead of living in pleasure, vain pursuits, and anxieties (cf. Lk 21:34),  we need to be watchful and diligently seek spiritual growth.

3.      Self-control (Rom 13:13-14; 1Thess 5:6; 1Pet 4:7; 5:8), prayerfulness (Mt 26:41; 1Pet 4:7), diligence in service and godly living (Lk 12:42; 2Tim 2:22; 2Pet 1:5-9). 

4.      If we rest our hope fully on the grace of our Lord, we will give our undivided attention to live a life to please the Lord, knowing that we will receive the Lord’s grace in its fullness when He comes. Our hope must be sure and unwavering. We cannot possibly live a holy life while indulging in our desires.

5.      A holy living involves obeying God’s word and conforming to God’s likeness rather than to our lusts.

6.      The purpose of God’s calling is that we should live holy lives (2Tim 1:9; Eph 2:10). Thus, the way to respond to the calling is to turn from evil and follow God’s will.

7.      Our time in this world is only a temporary stay. Therefore, we are but pilgrims passing through this life.

8.      God has redeemed us from the power of sin and death (Ps 49:15; 103:4; 130:8; Lk 1:68-75; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Heb 2:14-15).

9.      The precious blood of Christ (19).

10.  Since we have been bought with such a great price, we do not belong to ourselves but to the Lord. So we must conduct ourselves to please our Master (1Cor 6:19-20; 2Cor 5:15).

11.  It purifies our souls (22). It gives us rebirth (23). It lives and abides forever (23-25). It is preached to us by the gospel (25).

12.  If we obey the truth, we will love one another (Jn 13:34; 15:12; 1Jn 3:23; 4:21).

13.  We should love one another fervently with a pure heart (22). We need to serve one another eagerly and diligently. But such zeal must come from a pure motive (cf. Gal 4:17).

14.  The word of God teaches us to put our faith in Jesus Christ, through whom we can have a new life (Jn 5:24; Rom 10:17). The word of God also refers to Christ Himself, who is the living word become flesh (Jn 1:1,14; 14:6; Rom 10:6-9). Through faith in Christ, we can be born again.

15.  If we believe that God’s word abides forever and that the desires or this world will come to an end, we will always give God’s word first place in our lives and forsake anything that is contrary to God’s word. A life that conforms to God’s word is the life that has meaning and eternal value.