Read 1 Peter 1:13-22
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’
17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.
Read 1 Peter 3:1-8
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. 6Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. 6Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.
7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honour to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Questions for Personal Reflection from Jerry Tankersley
If you were to write a prayer based on 1 Peter 1:16 what would you pray?
Think about what you have inherited from your family. Not just material things as important as they may be, but your spiritual inheritance. Make a list of the good, beautiful, and precious gifts you have received that have made you into the person you are.
Did you read the May 30, 2011, issue of Time Magazine? Click HERE to view the article. What do you make of Nancy Gibbs article about powerful people behaving like pigs? What is the piggish behavior she describes and critiques?
If you could add some names and faces to the Misconduct Matrix in Time whose would they be.
What has God done to deliver us from the futile ways inherited from our ancestors?
What questions come to your mind about Peter’s exhortations to wives and husbands in chapter 3?
How can men and women nurture their common dignity and show respect for one another?
Do you want to be holy? What would that mean?
Prayer
“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
by Dr. M. Craig Barnes (blog posting April 22, 2011)
by Dr. M. Craig Barnes (blog posting April 22, 2011)
When you inspired Peter to write these words, you had to know that this is a pretty tough call for us to fulfill. I would love to say that I want to be holy, but I wonder – is there some besetting sin, some socially appropriate addiction, that I am not about ready to lay down? No, there is not one. There are many. Not only can I not obey the imperative to be holy, I cannot even succeed in honestly wanting it.
My only hope is that you never meant for this to be an imperative. What if it’s a promise? I shall be holy because Jesus Christ is holy, and by your Spirit, you are transforming me into his image. You are not limited by either my sin or my addicted will. Make me holy, O God, for my soul will never rest with anything less. I know in my best moments that my real desire is for you. Amen.
