4 Dynamic Life Lessons from 1 Peter

I was going to give you life lessons from 1 and 2 Peter but I found these in the first three of chapters of 1 Peter! They are powerful reminders of what we have as followers of Jesus and they will help you to grow spiritually. Here they are:

The gift of the Resurrection

We acknowledge that the resurrection provides us with a life altering reality.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV)

There are four incredible privileges described here:

1. We are born again. We have a new life with all that it entails. That means a chance to start over, do better, have a meaningful purpose and make a difference.
2. We have a living hope. Our hope is not in vain. Jesus is our hope and by his resurrection out hope is alive today. We can anchor our lives on that hope to help us through the most trying circumstances of life.
3. We have an imperishable inheritance. Earthly fortunes rise and fall. Our inheritance is secure for eternity. The promises and riches of heaven never expire, they are never in recession and are secure beyond imagination.
4. We have a final salvation. At last when our days on earth are over either through death or the second coming of Jesus we will be completely saved from the trials and tribulations of this earth. Temptation and sin will be no more. Suffering and sorrow forever vanish. Our hope is fulfilled and we will experience glory in its fullness!

The call to love

There are few more consistent calls in the Bible than the call to love. Love is at the heart of the great commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). These two verses challenge us with a call to obedience linked to purity and love.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

1 Peter 1:22–23 (ESV)

Without getting too deeply into theology and doctrine, a very simple reading of these verses implores us to be obedient to the great commandment to sincerely love. We are able to do this because we have been born again into the very nature and image of God! We can love and he has empowered us to love.

Admittedly it is not always easy to love! Yet, when we acknowledge that we have been born of imperishable seed (see the previous section), we can decide to be obedient to the command to love. Once that decision is made, God’s Spirit will help us love through the living and abiding (in us) word of God!

A lesson we don’t necessarily like

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV)

This is sometimes very difficult. But no matter where we live, whether the United States, Canada, India, Australia or somewhere else in the world, we have this obligation. Because it is a clear command of scripture, we obey.

It is helpful for me to remember that Peter wrote this in a world where the emperor was sometimes worshiped, often feared and nearly absolute in his power. It was a world full of injustice, oppression and immorality. Even under these conditions, he called for followers of Jesus to do good, honor authority and be an example of peaceful behavior.

Share the truth in love

No one likes to have the truth rammed down their throats. Listen to what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:13-17 (ESV)

So, what does it look like to give a reason for the hope we have with gentleness and respect?

We need to realize that many people we encounter have not experienced the hope of salvation. In fact, many are hostile to the gospel. When we share our hope with gentleness and respect, we do so without the intent to argue or even persuade but to simply share our story. The Holy Spirit will do the work of persuasion and conviction. That’s not our job. I’ve met too many Christians who think it is their obligation to point out the sins in other peoples’ lives. This approach lacks gentleness and respect!

Instead, we must be sensitive to people’s reaction to our words, ask God to help us communicate with love, back away from arguments and seek to make peace during conflict.

Your Challenge (or your homework!)

These are just four lessons from 1 Peter. There are so many more. I challenge you to prayerfully read through this book and see what God reveals to you.

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