Scripture: I Peter 1:13-25

Aim: To encourage the Christian to be obedient in developing a holy manner of living in this world.

Golden Text: “Being born again, not of corruptible see, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23).

The true people of God are different from those who are not. Jehovah God is the Creator of all men; however, He is not the Father of all men. He is a Heavenly Father to those who have been born into His Family through faith in Jesus Christ.

The born-again believer is a person who has been saved (from sin and the judgment of God) “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Spirit); which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6).

The believer is baptized (submerged, placed) into the Body of Christ (the Church of Jesus Christ, I Corinthians 11:13-14). At that time the believer is placed into the family of God as a “born again child” of the Heavenly Father. Each believer becomes an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ of the treasures of eternal glory (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:5-7). It is all by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. These only are the true spiritual “People of God” for all eternity.

I. The people of God are a redeemed people (I Peter 1:18-25). This redemption is the “buying back out of the market place of sin” the lost sinner who is a slave to sin and Satan. The price paid for redemption is the blood of Jesus Christ. He took the sinner’s penalty of eternal death for his sin. To the people of God the blood of Christ is “precious” (vs. 19).

Jesus died and was raised again from the dead in His glory in order that the sinner’s “faith and hope might be in God” (vs. 20-21). The sinner has heard the Gospel of Christ—Christ died for the sinner and was raised again on the third day. Each person who will repent (turn away) of his sins and believe on Christ shall be saved (vs. 22; Acts 16:38).

The element that is used is the Word Of God, which gives us the Gospel (vs. 23-25). The Word gives information and instruction to the believer that he may learn to become a “holy” person.

II. The people of God are fashioning themselves after the Holiness of God (I Peter 1:14-17). This holiness is possible because at the time a person is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live with him to guide and help him. At conversion the believer received the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:21-26). This is his official position in Christ. In experience the believer must “grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (II Peter 3:18).

The believer is instructed to “fashion” himself after holiness (vs. 14). He is to be becoming more and more like God in holiness and righteousness. Jehovah God is the Model (vs. 15-16). The extent of the holiness is “in all manner of life” (that is, in all of life and living, vs. 15). Each believer is required to “Be ye holy, for I am holy,” says God (vs. 16).

It is sad, but many believers today are not seeking to be separated from the old fleshly practices and wickedness that is in the world. It seems many want to be like the “world,” not God.

III. The people of God are anticipating the coming again of Christ (I Peter 1:13). Having been redeemed, forgive, cleansed and made a partaker of God’s holiness (II Peter 1:4), the believer is putting off the old sinful nature and putting on the new born again nature, which is like God (Ephesians 5:22-32). As he is “living for Christ” to the glory of God he is anticipating the day that Christ will return. At that time, when the believer sees Christ at His coming back, the believer will receive a new eternal body of holiness ( I John 3: 1-3). What a glorious day that will be. From then on the believer will be like, and with, the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

This author is grateful to God for making me His child, a part of His family through faith in Jesus Christ His divine Son. Any sinner can have the same by turning from sin to Christ today.