Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Reformed by the Word of God
1 Peter 1:13-25
Charles V. Abraham
23 You
have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the
living and enduring word of God.
If we ever take the time to watch children interact with their environment, we would be taken aback by how easily they are distracted! Often, they start with a toy that holds their attention for a few minutes, before they are onto their “next project.” When we read the above portion from Peter’s first epistle, he is telling his audience, to “prepare [their] minds for action”. This entire portion is about refocusing our attention on the journey. In the original Greek, it meant that Peter’s audience should literally gather up their garments and be ready for physical action. For many of us, we are satisfied with a lethargic religion, instead of a zealous, physical, action-oriented relationship with Christ.
Peter goes onto say that we need to focus on what is above, on what is good and holy, instead of our former lusts which were ours in ignorance. We are set apart from the world, set apart by and for God. What better example for us, than to be holy because He was holy? Peter was quoting scripture from Leviticus 11:44, where Israel was to be consecrated to the Lord. That holiness should permeate every aspect of our life. Going back to the beginning of the passage, Peter is not exhorting us to action every Sunday, rather he is telling us to prepare our minds for an action-filled life. Those set apart for the Lord, are fully dedicated to Him and His works.
Lastly, Peter explains we have been born again through the living and enduring word of God. What a beautiful reminder that although we are but a fleeting breath upon the face of the earth, we are born again through the everlasting word of God. The time that we do have on earth, is blessed, it is useful, and it must not be wasted. We are exhorted to be obedient children, and not be conformed to the sinful desires of the world.
Yes indeed, we are not to be children who are easily distracted, and moving from one toy to the next. We are to be prepared for action, prepared for a fruitful relationship, and born again through the word of God.
If we ever take the time to watch children interact with their environment, we would be taken aback by how easily they are distracted! Often, they start with a toy that holds their attention for a few minutes, before they are onto their “next project.” When we read the above portion from Peter’s first epistle, he is telling his audience, to “prepare [their] minds for action”. This entire portion is about refocusing our attention on the journey. In the original Greek, it meant that Peter’s audience should literally gather up their garments and be ready for physical action. For many of us, we are satisfied with a lethargic religion, instead of a zealous, physical, action-oriented relationship with Christ.
Peter goes onto say that we need to focus on what is above, on what is good and holy, instead of our former lusts which were ours in ignorance. We are set apart from the world, set apart by and for God. What better example for us, than to be holy because He was holy? Peter was quoting scripture from Leviticus 11:44, where Israel was to be consecrated to the Lord. That holiness should permeate every aspect of our life. Going back to the beginning of the passage, Peter is not exhorting us to action every Sunday, rather he is telling us to prepare our minds for an action-filled life. Those set apart for the Lord, are fully dedicated to Him and His works.
Lastly, Peter explains we have been born again through the living and enduring word of God. What a beautiful reminder that although we are but a fleeting breath upon the face of the earth, we are born again through the everlasting word of God. The time that we do have on earth, is blessed, it is useful, and it must not be wasted. We are exhorted to be obedient children, and not be conformed to the sinful desires of the world.
Yes indeed, we are not to be children who are easily distracted, and moving from one toy to the next. We are to be prepared for action, prepared for a fruitful relationship, and born again through the word of God.
Prayer: Father
we thank you for this blessed day that you have given us. Lord, we ask that you
help us to remember that we have been redeemed through the sacrifice of your
Son, the true Lamb, who was unblemished and spotless. We ask that we live our
lives in remembrance of your sacrifice, and become a fragrant offering in your
sight. Amen.
Thought for the
day: We are set apart by the Lord (we are holy because He is holy),
and we must not forget that we are in the world as his ambassadors, but we
are not of the world.
St. John's MTC, NY