1 Peter 1:13-21

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:13-21

Well, since this salvation is such a big deal, Peter calls his readers to gear up and get focused.  He says, "set your hopefully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ".  They are also called to "not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance".  So, they are called to go "all in" and not be bothered or concerned with things of their past life.

With regards to setting hope fully on this grace, Peter actually began by saying "preparing your minds for action, and being sober minded".  This is something to be ready, prepared and alert for.  This is not something to do half-heartedly or just as an afterthought.

With regards to not being conformed to former passions, Peter actually begins by saying "as obedient children".  Obedience is what calls believers to stay away from these former passions.  This is because believers are called to holiness.  Peter directs his reader's attention to God who says "you shall be holy, for I am holy".

Committing to going all in on this amazing grace and steering clear of passions of the past are two very important things.  This is what Christians do.  It's not just about believing but also being holy because God is holy.

Peter moves on to encourage his readers to "conduct yourselves with fear".  He is calling them to the gravity of their actions and the seriousness of their salvation.  God is judge and he is a fair judge.  This means that your wrongdoing will not go unnoticed.  Just because you were ransomed doesn't mean your sin doesn't matter.  God's saving of you wasn't a simple thing that makes little difference either way.  It was so serious because of what we were ransomed from, which is why Peter brings this up.  Also, it is a big deal because of what was used to ransom us.  We were ransomed with the precious blood of Christ.  He was "like that of a lamb without blemish or spot".  This too was a big deal and a prime sacrifice.

Just in case you thought Jesus was some last minute plan to fix what was broken, Peter explains that "he was foreknown before the foundation of the world".  This was planned a long time ago.  So, why now of all times?  Why not long time ago?  Well, Peter simply says that he was "made manifest in the last times for the sake of you".  "You" are his readers and those he describes as "elect exiles of the Dispersion".  It is for the believers.

It is through Jesus that makes believers "believers in God".  How does that work?  Well, this is probably in relation to what Peter says next.  God is the one "who raised him (Jesus) from the dead and gave him (Jesus) glory.  The result is that faith and hope are in God.  God raises and glorifies Jesus.  Yet, this works both ways, doesn't it?  Just look at the way Jesus talks about it in John 5.  I know some who deny that Jesus is God will point to that as a reason why Jesus is not God, but we also see a way in which honoring the Son means to honor the Father who sent him.  Even going back to what Peter says here, we see that God giving Jesus glory is related to hope and faith in God.  Once again, one might argue that this doesn't necessarily point to Jesus being God because God is described as the actor in raising Jesus and giving Jesus glory.  I guess maybe what I'm wrestling with is this: how does giving Jesus glory result in faith and hope in God?  This mainly makes sense to me if Jesus is God.  How does God get faith and hope if he glorifies something or someone other than himself?  In any case, Jesus is God and his raising and glorifying is for believer's faith and hope being in God.

1 Peter 1:10-12

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:10-12

This salvation is a really big deal.  A long time ago, the prophets prophesied about  this salvation.  They were the ones who "searched and inquired carefully" regarding who and when this was to happen.  In fact, all of that wasn't even for their own sake but for believers like Peter's readers.  It is even something that "angels long to look (into)".  This very thing that the prophets prophesied for the sake of believers many years later and something that even angels long to look into is what believers have.  This is important and a big deal.

1 Peter 1:8-9

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9

Addressing his readers, Peter talks about their faith.  Even though they have not seen Jesus, they love him and believe in him.  This reminds me of a verse in Hebrews.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

If I recall, I remember spouting that in answer to the question "what is faith?" and being brushed off as if it was a dumb answer.  It may be a canned answer, but truth is found in God's word.  It may sounds too simple and it may not be what he was looking for, but it is the truth.

There is something else that is described at the believer and their faith.  Not only do they believe in and love Jesus whom they have never seen, but they also rejoice.  This rejoicing is described in this way: "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory".  What is the result of this?  The result is "obtaining the outcome of your faith".  This must be faith that Peter is describing.  The result of which is as Peter says "the salvation of your souls".  The outcome of faith is salvation.  This is why being saved is "through faith" as described in Ephesians 2.

However, lest we rush ahead too quickly, let us not forget to read the rest of Ephesians 2.  We are told that is not by works that we are saved.  It is not us and it is not a work done by us.  It is by grace.  Yes, this is the outcome of our faith.  And I love how not only does Peter talk about love and belief, but he goes on to talk about rejoicing with joy.  This is part of faith as well.  How does it go in the Westminster Catechism?

Q. What is the cheif end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

1 Peter 1:5-7

who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:5-7

Coming to verse 5, Peter is talking about those who have been born again.  They are being guarded by God's power.  Maybe it would be better to say they they are being kept safe.  What's interesting is that it is "through faith" that this is happening.  God's power is doing the guarding but this is happening through faith.  This makes me think of Ephesians 2:8.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:8

Believers are saved by grace but this happens through faith.  It seems like a very similar thing is being described here in 1 Peter.

What those who have been born again are being guarded for is described as "a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time".  Are those born again not already saved?  Perhaps it is more of a focus on the revealing of this salvation.  Maybe it is described this way because of the trials that Peter's readers were facing.  It only makes sense that he move on to address what he does in verse 6.

Pointing to that salvation to be revealed and God's power that is guarding those born again, Peter says "In this you rejoice".  It is certainly something to rejoice in.  This is particularly important for his readers who "have been grieved by various trials".  Though times may be tough, those born again can certainly rejoice in the power of God is that is guarding them for a salvation that has not yet been revealed but will be revealed.

Peter tells his readers of a purpose for them being "grieved by various trials".  The purpose is "so that the tested genuineness of your faith... may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ".  As NLT puts it, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine".  The result is that your faith will produce an outpouring of praise when Christ is revealed.  It may be tough, but it's worth it in the end.