Good afternoon, this Monday, May 6, 2019. I hope you are enriched and fed by this series. May the blessings of the Lord anchor your faith and heart deep in him.
Story
The story of Peter is the story of the promise of the gospel proclaimed by the ancients, fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and brought to fruition in Peter’s life.
Peter is a living, breathing, example for you and me of what the fulfillment of the promises of God may look like in one’s life.
Jesus calls Peter into his inner circle, initiating relationship. Christ invites Peter into the kingdom of God – the Father’s delight and love.
Thus, begins Peter’s journey, training and discipline.
Then, as his master is about to depart, Peter is chosen by Christ for a deep work of the Spirit in Peter’s life (John 21:18, Part 5 in this series) – a path and route Peter would not naturally choose – an impossible task, only made possible by the grace of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).
Following Christ’s ascension, he is free to do the deep work in the lives of those he chooses to take unto himself – to fulfill the mandate and commission of his Father, to make man into his likeness.
Peter is bound to Christ, connected to him, an intimacy, richness, and deepness Christ “pioneered” (Hebrews 12:2) – and fulfilled; the coming Messiah and the plan of salvation the ancients desired to peer into (1 Peter 1:10 – 12). This is what normal Christianity was intended to be from the beginning.
(God is calling his church for a deeper walk with him, so let’s respond to the call of God and prepare ourselves (as led by the Lord) with the resources he’s made available, that we may be chosen by him – taken by him – for a deep work of the Spirit of God in your life and mine. Please see my previous posts in this series for background and scriptural support.)
Peter’s teaching, exhortations, and proclamations in his letters reveal the fruition of the revelation of Jesus Christ in his life. He speaks from authority, a Sage, one who has and continues to apprehend what Christ apprehended him for.
First Peter 1:2 pretty much says it all about Peter. This Scripture is a defining expression by Peter of what Christ has accomplished in him over the last 30 plus years.
Another Look at 1 Peter 1:2
Peter is not reciting a formula or the process of salvation, or the journey of Jesus Christ. This is Peter’s letter, his heart, his testimony, from which the rest of the letter flows.
Peter is speaking of his heavenly Father’s sanctifying work in “his spirit,” teaching “him obedience,” and renewing “his body” through the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit.
(There are a lot of “truths,” and typology in Peter’s reference to the sprinkling of blood of Jesus Christ. This is another post in itself. Suffice it to say, the life of the body is in the blood, the Spirit of God is our life, and everything we have is because the New Covenant is the outward expression to us of the blood of Jesus.)
The few commentators I read see 1 Peter 1:2 as the process of salvation – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together to redeem man.
But Peter is not writing about “doing,” “a process,” but about “his becoming.”
I believe the commentators missed the heart of 1 Peter 1:2, and correspondingly, the translators as well, by adding words to the Greek to fit the context as they “suppose it to be.”
Translators have added (regarding the interlinear I am using), the article “the” in front of the Greek words, father, spirit, and blood.
One commentator says the correct interpretation of the Greek refers to the human spirit and not the Holy Spirit. However, because the word Father and Christ is used in the sentence then one must explain the use of the term “spirit” as referring to the Holy Spirit, and thus, the article “the” is added.
I believe the commentators and translators have unknowingly hidden Peter’s testimony as expressed in this revealing and intimate passage.
First and foremost, this is a letter from the Apostle Peter. This is his opportunity to testify of the wonderful work of God in his life. He is testifying, exhorting, and proclaiming what Christ has accomplished in him. His words to others have no meaning and strength unless he speaks from one having a testimony of those words.
(Peter’s use of the terms “father” and “blood of Jesus Christ” refer to the deep and personal intimacy and connection Peter has with his heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, like the way a wife would refer to her husband – you can only say so much in public discourse – an intimacy hard to put to words and explain, being so private.)
What Peter is saying in 1 Peter 1:2, is, “I am experiencing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The place I would not naturally choose – the conviction of sin, sufferings, training and discipline – is yielding the peaceable fruit of Christ.”
“Through the work of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God has formed a measure of Christ in me. I am set apart by grace, resurrected to walk in new life, fulfilling the Scriptures foretelling Christ in us.” (Romans chapter 6; Romans 8:11, 8:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; I Corinthians chapter 15; 2 Corinthians chapter 5; 2 Peter 1:4, etc.)
Peter proclaims the sanctifying work of God in “his spirit,” becoming “obedient,” (likened to the work of God in his soul), and the subjugation of the appetites of the flesh through sufferings (i.e., sprinkling of blood of Jesus Christ, the work of God of in subduing the body).
This is the message of the gospel, the work of Jesus Christ in a believer’s body, soul, and spirit – the plan of redemption for the whole person, “the heart of the gospel.”
Continuing, in essence, Peter is saying in 1 Peter 1:2, “The promises of God foretold from the creation of the world, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, are at work in my life – body, soul, and spirit.”
“Christ has formed and continues to form in me his nature. I am a new creation in Jesus Christ, the old has past and the new has come.”
“I am experiencing the true rest of Jesus Christ, no longer striving to perform and earn love. I am no longer under the obligation to perform duties and sacrifices.”
“I am experiencing the grace of Jesus Christ in faith. I’ve reached a place of maturity where I no longer judge myself but submit all judgment to the Lord, trusting his grace to work the work of God in me.”
“My spirit is being sanctified, set apart, from the sinful nature and practices of my past life – the things I adored and worshiped. My spirit is being made fresh and whole by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.”
“It is being cleansed of impurities, and, being renewed, is birthing life in me, connecting me to my heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The breath and presence of God sustains my spirit, which sustains me.”
“I am spiritually awake, alive, bearing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in my spirit, connected to the kingdom of God and other followers in ways I never thought or imagined. I am walking in heavenly places in Christ.”
“My spiritual union and connection with my heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ sustain my soul and body by the power of the Holy Spirit in grace as Christ continues to reveal himself to the deep areas of my life.”
“My soul is learning obedience through the disruption, discipline and intervention of Christ. I am learning to think clearly and pray earnestly for the work of Christ in my life and those in my circle of influence.”
“My heart and mind are being renewed, restored, and filled with the things of God. I am becoming more and more consumed with the desires and passions of Christ. I am actually living the word of God from my heart and mind.”
“My soul is learning patience and gentleness in suffering. I continue to learn God’s love and delight for me, his care, and his love, delight, and care of others. My identity and destiny are harbored in Christ. I have discovered my weakness is his strength and my safety.”
“My soul no longer frets about my future. My destiny is in his hands, wrapped in his arms of grace, founded in confidence and trust. I am content as never before, overflowing with the knowledge and satisfaction of having been chosen by God to receive his favor.”
“I am experiencing healing and restoration in areas of bitterness, anger, and a host of other sins, hidden and open, that have plagued me from a child. I continue to experience the deep peace of Jesus Christ in my innermost being.”
“My will is becoming more and more bridled by God.”
“And the hostility of my flesh, the central appetites of my body, which formally ruled in authority and power over my heart, mind, will and spirit, are being put to death through healing and restoration. My appetite for the things of this world are becoming but a faint memory.”
“The Spirit of God living in me is giving life to my body. The cross of Jesus Christ upon my flesh continues to produce in me humility, contentment, and contriteness.”
“I am being redeemed, healed and restored, body, soul, and spirit. Deep wounds, sins and brokenness are being healed. I am experiencing connection and union with Christ, the most wonderful thing a person can experience this side of heaven.”
“And of great importance, the same Jesus, who is here, now, desires to perform the same redemptive work in your body, soul, and spirit. I repeat, Jesus Christ eagerly anticipates fulfilling the work and plan of God in your life beginning today.”
***
My friend, today, the 21st century, is now more than ever the time for all of us – you and me – to place our hearts and lives at the feet of Jesus and actively participate in engagement with Christ and submit to his training and discipline.
If we hold firm in our season of conviction and allow the Lord to cleanse and purify our temples – to prepare a dwelling fit for a king – he will separate us from sin and transform our lowly natures into his glorious nature.
This is truly an exciting time to be alive. I cannot emphasize enough how privileged our generation is, in the freedoms we share, to participate at a deep level in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Truly Christ is presenting to you and me unprecedented opportunities to receive healing, restoration, connection, intimacy and union with him. Wow, what a blessed and truly fortunate people we are in the 21st century.
I am hoping to get to Noah in the next post. I love the story of Noah and it is of significance Noah is mentioned by Christ and Peter.
Blessings, Drake
