1 Peter 1 Commentary
What could make the great prophets, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, or Jeremiah envious? Moses and Elijah had it all, including special logistics for their final trip to Heaven!
Chapter 1 is a grand celebration of the new life under Yeshua, the Messiah. It is unparalleled in creation!
Salvation isn’t a random event. Believers are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. We doubt if potential believers campaign to be chosen. But we know the sanctifying work of the Spirit – resulting in obedience to Jesus Christ, is a critical mechanism in the election. Verse 2.
Peter calls it a new birth. We expect to be resurrected at an appropriate time. Then we can enjoy our inheritance.
The saint’s “inexpressible joy” because of their faith in Jesus is a huge puzzle. And it flows amidst trials!
If salvation means an escape from gloom, hopelessness, fears, sadness, and conflicts… then the saint is saved already! And we haven’t even talked about the calm assurance of Jesus’ presence with the saint! What a takeoff! That’s what we think until the Spirit tells us that we are yet to take off! Glory and more glory await the saint in Gloryland! No wonder the prophets couldn’t wait!
Verse 11 mentions the Spirit of Christ as the source of the inspired writings we now know as the scriptures. From this angle, there are no contradictions. The Spirit of Christ in Malachi won’t say anything different from what the Spirit of Christ says in the Book of James!
In the scriptures, the Spirit of Christ speaks. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of Christ speaks through the human bodies of the prophets. In the Gospels, the person of Christ speaks in bodily form. Peter, James, John, and others interact with Him in person. In the letters, the Spirit of Christ continues to speak.
It changes your perspective when you realize that by reading Proverbs, you hear the voice of Jesus Christ – similar to the way the disciples heard parables from their Master.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 