Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 116th. Edition.
Dear People Belonging to God,
In today’s passage (1 Peter 1:17-19) we return to the theme of gold that we first encountered in verse 7. The apostle Peter intends to impress upon the believers, the incomparable worth of their faith, so that they can appreciate the need to hold on to it, no matter what is thrown at them.
Impartial (v. 17). The believers were in a world that seemed devoid of fairness. The evil persecutors held sway and exercised their power with ruthless impunity. But Peter reminds the believers that God, whom they call Father, is a just judge, who will judge everyone’s work. No one should ever be fooled by God’s apparent inaction. In his time and at the right moment, he will call to account, every person’s work. We should never be complacent.
The fear of God should ever be in us, propelling us to ever greater faithful service and conduct. We should never be tempted to join in the revelry of the wicked, who for the moment seems to be getting away with murder, literally. The fear of failing our Father should motivate us to righteousness.
Imperfect (v. 18). As believers, we have been rescued from the conduct of “lostness” – an aimless way of life that offers no hope to those steeped in it. The means of our rescue, we are told, is not silver and gold, which are corruptible. This statement would have seemed odd to Peter’s readers. Until the 20th. Century, when motor vehicles polluted the air with Lead, silver did not tarnish. With gold, it was considered the most precious of metals, because it retained its luster, pretty much always. But compared to the means of our salvation, silver and gold are no different than rusty iron.
Incomparable (v. 19). The means of our rescue is the incomparably precious blood of Christ. It is compared to that of a lamb without blemish. A lamb is innocent, as Jesus was. The sacrifice of the innocent is the path to remission of sins. If a guilty person dies, he dies for his own sins and his blood has no use to anyone else. If an innocent person dies, his blood can be applied for the forgiveness of others, as that of a lamb was applied for Israelites in the Old Testament sacrificial system. The point of all this is to say to the persecuted Christians, Remember that you are in a class of your own, because of what was paid for your salvation. Guard your faith with your very lives.
How much is your faith worth?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.