We are reminded by Peter and his companions in this Epistle, that we are born of the ever-living Word of God; and that Word is the Gospel message that was preached to these people
Children of the One Father, redeemed by the One Saviour, and sanctified by the One Spirit, stand in a tender relationship to one another as brothers and sisters (v.22), and, therefore, love one another fervently.
Man, in contrast, is as perishable grass; and his outstanding teachers in religion, philosophy and science are as the flowers of the grass. All wither and perish.
Men can only believe in God by believing in the Lamb of God. It is not by means of the Creation that they believe, for that cannot give rest to the conscience. Nor by means of providence, for that leaves the ways of God upon earth in profound darkness. Nor by means of the Law, for that fills the conscience with terror. It is only by means of Jesus, the Lamb of God who redeemed them to God.
The O.T. Prophets were intrigued by the plan of salvation which was hinted in their prophetic utterances concerning God’s grace (v10) This grace was to be displayed in the vicarious sufferings of the Messiah King (v11) The readers of this epistle with their Jewish background, were brought back to the subject of suffering by this reference to the suffering of Christ.
The grace of God involved Christ’s suffering to secure salvation. So also may His grace involve suffering for those who posses His salvation.
The Scripture almost always links with the sufferings of Christ the “glories “that should follow Compare Luke 24.v26. His glories—as His riches— are unsearchable; but these glories are those won by Him because of His Obedience unto death. The obedience that appropriates the atonement of Christ (v. 2) makes the cleansed heart the living organ of unfeigned love to others (v. 22).
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (1Pet. Ch1 v22)
The above is only possible because of our renewed heart which the Apostle describes in v23
“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever”
The Gospel of John Ch.1 reminds us
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” V1
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” v4
this Stone was precious, for faith sees as God sees. But to unbelief He was an offence. It stumbled at the Word, and to that fall the nation was appointed.
Faith and the Word - Page 2 >>>>>>
Faith and the Word -Page 1
(1 Peter Ch’s.1 & 2)
A faith and a hope that are “living" are founded on God Himself and not merely in statements about God
Faith in God can only be exercised through Christ (v. 21). He that does not believe in that Divine Saviour does not believe in God “For he that hath not the Son hath not the Father..” (1 John. 2.v 23),
