Endure Part 3
“A Deeper Grace for Others”
Last week we learned that our behavior hinges on what we believe; behavior is hallow without belief.
God does not want just your behavior; He also wants your belief. Peter in verses 13-25 of chapter one wants to show us how our behavior is changed because of what we believe.
1. A new and fresh call to action. Verses 13-16 2. A new and fresh perspective of God. Verses 17-21
1 Peter 1:22-23 “Since you have purified your souls in [obedience] to the [truth] for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently (Deeply) love one another from the heart, …” 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, [through] the living and enduring word of God.
It is impossible to separate our salvation from the community that God has placed us. We can’t say we love His face and at the same time neglect and ignore His body!
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable…” We have been given the great gift of salvation so we can love and endure together!
Verse 22 says to “fervently (Deeply) love one another from the heart.” What does Peter mean by fervently?
Fervently: An extremely devoted strenuous intense affection that is on display.
Peter uses the word fervent to help them understand that they should strain to love one another. Many strain to hate, strain to judge, strain to slander, and strain to deceive; others strain to control, wanting their own ideas and wisdom to be the focus of life.
What are you straining for? May we strain to love one another. Peter wanted their energy to be focused on others; to love them deeply. The depth of something will determine its reach! Only way to endure together is to love deeply. (The perfect bond of unity)
“Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently (Deeply) love …” “Obedience to the truth,” will only come through submission!
I Believe that a great number of believers in America live their life with ambition instead of submission. (My opinion) Ambition pursues a relationship to meet needs (Usually selfish); the goal is to be happy.
Ambition’s desire is to exploit the weakness of people instead of extending fervent love which will enable you to go the distance! Submission will take you places that ambition can only dream of.
24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Peter now gives them the road blocks to love in chapter 2 verse 1. 2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
You will begin to grow in salvation when you become willing to step into the messiness of community.
“… rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
Romans 12:9-10 “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,
Hypocrisy is “the concealment of one’s real character or motives.” This would be characterized by one who acts as though they love and honor by their outward actions and word, but within they criticize, envy or even despise you.
Philippians 2:1-5 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ.
You may be saying to yourself, “Pastor I can’t love in that way, it is too hard.” Notice Peter’s wording in verse 22. “… love one another from the heart.” If what you believe is deep in your heart, how hard it is will not matter.
It is hard for many in the church in America to behave in this manner because their heart is to crowded and confused. If anyone's heart was crowded and confused it was Peter’s. Jesus in Luke 22 looks right at Peter and predicts his denial, but He (Jesus) does not stop and focus on the negative, He gives Peter encouragement and reinforcement.
Luke 22:32 “But I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” The strengthened was now going to become the strengthener.
Peter desires them to have a deeper grace for others; he wants them to become strengtheners as well.
“Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart,”