Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the Middle East. The trainers require absolute obedience from the horses, and test them to see if their training is complete.
The final test is nearly beyond the endurance of any living thing. The trainers force the horses to do without water for many days and then turn them loose and (of course) and watch them run toward the water. Just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle. The horses completely trained and obedient stop, turn around, and pace back to the trainer. They stand there quivering, wanting water, but they wait in perfect obedience. When the trainer is sure that he has their obedience he gives them a signal to go back to drink.
This sounds severe, perhaps inhumane, but when you are on the trackless desert of Arabia and have entrusted your life to a horse, you had better have a well-trained, obedient horse.
[You were purchased with Christ’s blood; your life’s purpose is to glorify him in holy obedience.]
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Petrine letters testify to Peter’s obedience to Jesus Christ. Despite denying Jesus during his trial, Jesus exhorted Peter to encourage the others after he turned back (Lk. 22:31-32).
A. Peter did return; and in obedience to Jesus, devoted the rest of his life to strengthening believers (i.e., feeding Jesus’ sheep, cf. Jn. 21:15-17). His two letters testify to this.
B. We know little of his relationship to the recipients. But we do know that Peter wants to encourage them not to do in their time of difficulty the very thing he did in his – i.e., to turn away from Jesus when pressured against taking a stand for him; rather, they should persevere (e.g., 1 Pet. 5:12)
2. According to 1 Peter, society made it difficult for these believers. They noticed their changed lifestyle, and some don’t like what they see. Consequently, they’ve been rough on them.
A. Peter writes to encourage these persecuted believers on remaining faithful Christians in a not-so Christian world. He writes to give them God’s perspective on them, society and ultimate reality. 1 Peter is a ‘how-to’ manual of sorts and his writings are unique; the clearest of the NT epistles on this subject.
3. When entrusting the spread of the gospel of life to these young Christians, Peter wants to be sure that they are well trained and obedient to Christ. Sound familiar? TWM to 1 Peter 1, as we discover Peter’s Call to Holiness through a lifestyle of obedience to Christ.
II. THE COMMAND OF OBEDIENCE: THROUGH HOPE AND RELATIONSHIP (1:13-16)
1. Peter’s reference to God’s commandment (Be holy, because I am Holy) cites Lev. 19:2, a favorite passage for early Christian ethical teaching, although some words appear elsewhere (Lev. 11:44f; 20:7).
2. He encourages his readers not to conform to the worldly desires they had when they lived in ignorance. This makes it clear that one in relationship with God (through Christ) is enlightened, made aware of his obligation to live a holy life. Christians are without excuse when they choose to follow a pagan society instead of Christ.
3. Peter knows that the personal conflict that comes between obedience to God and social acceptance will challenge these immature believers. Therefore, he encourages them to set their hope fully on the grace they will receive when Christ is revealed (13).
A. The revelation of Christ refers to the fulfillment of his promises, for example, an inheritance (1:4) or salvation (1:5, 9). In other words, revelation brings the full experience of Christ’s favor or grace, and should therefore be prayed for and longed for.
B. Their hope emerges from the relationship they have as children of God; more specifically obedient children. This relationship enables and commands their obedience. Thus, Peter argues, the command of obedience springs from both hope and relationship.
[You were purchased with Christ’s blood; your life’s purpose is to glorify him in holy obedience.]
III. THE COST OF OBEDIENCE: CHRIST’S LIFE FOR REDEMPTION (1:17-21)
1. If, on one hand, Christians are children of God (1:14), they have been rightly reminded to be obedient children and to realize that true children of a holy God will also be holy. Now Peter balances his argument: if, on the other hand, they call God Father, they should remember his character and not allow familiarity to be an excuse for evil, i.e., “I can live as I wish because of my relationship with God”.
2. Peter reminds his readers that the cost of their redemption was Christ, who gave his life completely and sacrificially, making possible the believer’s justification (to be declared holy) and sanctification (set apart and made holy).
3. God, who gave his Son to die, also resurrected and glorified him (21). Therefore, the believer (rightly) places his hope and faith in God; the cost of obedience demands that Christians choose obedience to God over acceptance by society. There is nothing we can sacrifice that matches the risen Christ.
IV. THE CONSEQUENCE OF OBEDIENCE: LOVE AND UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS (1:22-23)
1. Having established the basis for holy living in the command and cost of obedience, Peter now turns to its consequences. He assumes they are fully initiate Christians, for he says, since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the Truth (i.e., the gospel).
A. The image of purification is that of OT washings that made one ready to participate in the cult (religious system) (cf. Ex. 19:10, Josh. 3:5, et al.). Peter’s audience came to this state through obedience to the truth.
2. The result of their conversion (justification+sanctification) is sincere love for your brothers, followed immediately by a command to deepen and intensify this love.
A. Christian initiation (confession, repentance, commitment, baptism) moves one from the kingdom of darkness (the world) to the kingdom of God (the church); hence, part of a fellowship, not an isolated believer.
B. The social acceptance that entices believers to sin has no power when the community of faith unites in love. Faced with persecution, believers must bond together in obedience to God that is enabled by relationship, demanded by sacrifice, and perpetuated by love.
3. As they codify these principles, they will stand firm against the temptation to follow the crowd. They will seek not the things of this world, but the things yet to come, as Christ reveals himself to them.
[You were purchased with Christ’s blood; your life’s purpose is to glorify him in holy obedience.]
V. CONCLUSION: WIIFM?
1. The church is the Body of Christ. That means that we are the representation of him on this earth; Christ manifest through us – imagine! Our actions, behaviors, principles and values must reflect our full initiation as children of God.
2. Christ commanded us to take the gospel message to the entire world; he wants no one to die without him as Savior and Lord of their life. He has entrusted us with the gospel.
3. Imagine the risk involved when we choose social acceptance over obedience to God. Our behaviors, habits, activities, expenditures and schedules reflect our obedience to God; our response to his command – Be holy, because I am holy.
4. Make it your passion to live in absolute obedience to God; fully committed, fully submitted. Follow him when it’s not popular; when it seems expensive; and most of all, when society tells you you’re wrong. Follow him even when you aren’t sure where he’s going.
The prayer of Trappist Monk Thomas Merton beautifully expresses the uncertainty of obedience:
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing."
[You were purchased with Christ’s blood; your life’s purpose is to glorify him in holy obedience.]
