Is there a relationship between hoping in God and living a holy life? 1 Peter 1:13-21 makes a connection between the two. The section exhorts believers to hope in God, be holy and live in God-fearing way. The section ends through recounting the work of God in Christ of ransoming believers from their futile way of living. In short, it is those who love God and delight in Him that have experienced the new birth and have a mind set to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. We must pursue growth in love for God and hope in Him – from this will come holy living. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: 1 Peter 1:20-21.
Those who have faith in Jesus Christ for their justification enjoy a great salvation. Yet, the salvation is not all future. That is to say, we do not simply wait until the day of judgment to enjoy the benefits of our salvation. The benefits are present: namely freedom from a life of futility. Apart from Christ we are slaves of sin and can only sin. This is a futile existence. Yet, through Christ we have been redeemed from this life of futility – we are now free to love, serve and enjoy God. No longer must be be slaves to sin and sinful passions, this has been destroyed on the cross. In Christ we have a life with true meaning and delight in God as we set our hope fully on the grace to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: 1 Peter 1:17-19.
The Bible is clear on this issue: no one is saved by works. No one is ever good enough to be right with God. Your works do not contribute to your acceptance with God. If anyone is right with God it is due to the grace of God through redemption by the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone. One is joined to God by faith alone. Yet, the Bible so full of commands to live a particular way – to be holy. Believers are to be holy because God is holy. These commands are expected of believers saved by grace and they flow naturally out of one who loves God and delights in Him. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: 1 Peter 1:13-16.
The fact that a Holy God would redeem sinful humans is amazing. Especially considering that the offended party is the One who makes provision for the satisfaction of justice. The doctrine of redemption is worthy of our concern. It was the subject of careful searching and inquiry by the Old Testament prophets. It is a subject into which angels long to look. We ought to diligently inquire into this matter as well. Not merely as an intellectual pursuit, but as the grounds for worship of the One true God. An inquiry into reconciliation with God through the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ will lead us to love God more and cause us to rejoice in Him with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: 1 Peter 1:10-12.