Faithful until the End

This is the last message from the Book of have called it a Handbook for Spiritual Exiles; it contains Hope for the Pilgrim’s Path, and it calls us to persevere as strangers and aliens. This book reminds us clearly that our ultimate hope is not in this world, but in the one to come. But the message of 1 Peter is very much for the here and now: it clearly spells out our responsibilities as exiles, and it gives instruction for our journey of faith.

A look back will serve as a reminder of where we have been, and hopefully it will give encouragement as we travel forward under the Banner of Jesus. As a matter of instruction, it is important to note the general format for almost all the letters in the NT. The Doctrine or Teaching comes first, then the behavioral expectations. Both are important, but doctrine is foundational. If we don’t begin with the correct understanding of God, our situation, the power of the Cross, and the Reality of the Resurrection, and human transformation, we will never get the behavior part correct. The order is crucial.

Peter was writing to those Christians who were being persecuted for the specific reason of their faith in Christ. He wrote to them a manual of how they were to live as believers in a hostile environment, let them know what to expect, and how to deal with conflict when it came.

He first reminded them of their position in Christ. He encouraged them by telling them of their blessings from being in Christ, and how they were being guarded by the Power of God. God is the One who would see them through the battles to the very End.

Peter warned them of the trials and tribulations that God would allow them to experience. He told them their greatest preparation for these trials was developing a personal holiness. He shared the expectation of a Holy God for His people - holy lives that would reflect the precious redemption price of Jesus

Peter then focused on the power of the Living & Abiding Word. He told the Pilgrims that the Word would sustain them as an anchor in all the storms of life, and that the Word would feed them in their journey of spiritual growth.

Peter then outlined Christian responsibilities in the area of relationships. He starts by explaining the great change that Jesus wrought for us through the Crucifixion and Resurrection. In the new covenant, we are all spiritual priests, we have been given the calling to minister to each other in the name of Jesus

He continues to give instructions for relationships in specific areas. He outlines how Believers are to relate to a secular government, how Believers are to relate to one another in the market place as workers/employees, how we are to relate to one another in marriage and family, and then finally how we can relate to each other as fellow travelers living in community.

As Peter moved to the conclusion of his letter, he calls the Pilgrims to the ministry of Evangelism and encourages each of us to use our individual gifts, and to be prepared to give the unbelieving world a reason for our hope. Each of us is to be able to explain not only what we believe, but we are also to be prepared to tell why we believe

Peter encourages them again to live for Christ in this world, reminds them again of the reality of suffering for Jesus, and then ends with the gift of shepherds who will be there to guide the journey.

A Final Call to Stand Firm in the Faith (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Peter ends his letter to the Pilgrims with a reminder of the seriousness of the struggle, instructions on how to overcome them, and a final vision of the eschaton in which they will be exalted by the One who called them

Believers are to adopt a position of humility in this life (v. 6)

Peter instructs the Pilgrims to adopt a specific attitude as to how they are to generally interact in this world. This instruction shows that it is possible for Believers to exercise humility in the face of arrogance and superiority. Peter tells us to humble ourselves, but he tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

Being humble is not easy for humans. We all have a justice warrior inside us who cries out when we are wronged. We want things made right, and we want the guilty to be punished, and we want this to take place NOW! When we give up our “right to justice” and leave things to God, He will take care of it. In the context of this statement, the timing of God taking care of thins is the Eschaton. We struggle with God’s timing, but we are to trust Him, and we will one day be exalted in Glory

Believers are to leave our burdens & cares at the Cross (v. 7)

What a privilege we often forfeit when we needlessly carry baggage and burdens that Jesus has already dealt with. Peter reminds these Pilgrims to cast, to throw, to dump their anxieties on God because He really does care about us. In we are told to “cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Consider a hitch-hiker travelling down the side of the highway with a heavy back pack and duffel. How silly would it be if someone stops to give him a ride, but he continues to carry all his baggage while riding?

We do the same thing when we refuse to take our cares and anxieties to the Lord, and leave them with Him. As Schreiner states, “if believers continue to worry, then they are caving in to pride . . . Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced that they must solve all the problems in their lives in their own strength. The only god they trust in is themselves. When believers throw their worries upon God, they express their trust in his mighty hand, acknowledging that he is Lord and Sovereign over all of life.” Schreiner, T. R. (2003). 1, 2 Peter, Jude (Vol. 37, p. 241). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Believers are to stand strong in the Faith (vv. 8&9)

Schreiner, T. R. (2003). 1, 2 Peter, Jude (Vol. 37, p. 241). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Peter gives a final call to stand strong. He reminds them they are in the midst of spiritual warfare. The world is not a neutral zone, it is a war zone, and believers in Christ are the target of many. This present world is not our home, and we are not to get cozy and comfortable. When we get lazy and complacent, that’s when when get chomped on by Satan. Satan is a roaring lion who wanders around looking for Believers to devour.

Consider the actions of a real lion, and how he hunts. He prowls up stealthily to the pack of gazelles and waits for one to wander off from the protection of the herd. When a gazelle isolates itself it becomes lion meat. King David, a man after God’s own heart, fell when he isolated himself. He was not with the army where he was called to be; instead, he stayed behind and got in trouble () The book of Proverbs also warns of the dangers of isolation ()

On our own, we are no match for Satan. That is why we need to remain vigilant, and to resist him in the Power of Jesus. Remaining accountable to the community of faith plays a major role in resisting the wiles of Satan.

Believers are to set their ultimate Hope in Glory (vv. 10-11)

Peter ends the letter with a reminder of the Glory that will be revealed at the Last Time. God has a plan for His Creation, and it is unfolding at His direction. He is still on the Throne, and this world has not drifted from His control. He may allow His children to suffer for a little while (contrasted to Eternity), but He has already won. God promises to Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, and Establish us with Him in Eternity. And that Blessed Hope will sustain the Faithful Pilgrim to the end of the journey!

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