Protective Custody
Not From Around Here: The Complicated Life of a Sojourner • Sermon • Submitted
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The story has been told of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon.
Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had woven a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. And so they went on. Having escaped, Nolan burst out and exclaimed:
“Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall,
Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web.”1108
Quiet Time
Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 295–296.
As we continue studying Peter’s letter to the scattered sojourners who were facing fear and persecution as believers, we of the incredible blessing of being Born Again into God’s family.
Last week we saw that in God’s abundant mercy, He has begotten us again. We now have a living hope that is secured by the resurrection of Jesus. We have an incorruptible inheritance that will never fade away that is reserved in heaven, waiting for our arrival. We have a secure future as Born Again children of God. Our text this evening shows us that not only did God secure our future, but he guards our very beings right now. We are safe in His Protective Custody.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Guarded By The Power of God
Guarded By The Power of God
King James Version Chapter 1
Who are kept by the power of God
The word “guarded” (TEV kept safe; Gute Nachricht “keep and protect”) is a military term, used to describe the act of protecting a city from its enemies, and here it is used of God securely protecting the believer from all dangers (compare Mft “protects”; Knox “affords you safe conduct”). What keeps the Christian safe is God’s power. It is, of course, God himself who guards, and he does so because he is powerful, and therefore is able to protect the Christian. -UBS
Same Greek Word as in the Following verses:
“In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:” (, KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Thru the Bible Vol. 54: The Epistles (1 Peter) Suffering and the Security of Believers
The story is told of a Scotsman, who was typically economical, leaving instructions that only one word should be engraved upon his tombstone. But that one word, taken from this verse, is one of the greatest I know. It was the single word KEPT. He was “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Guarded By The Power of Faith.
Guarded By The Power of Faith.
King James Version Chapter 1
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto
By (ἐν) the power; through (διὰ) faith; unto (εἰς) salvation. By, indicating the efficient cause; through, the secondary agency; unto, the result.
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 632.
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 632.
This protection is God’s response to our faith which we exercised in the Lord Jesus as Saviour and which now rests in Him as our Preserver. Our faith lays hold of this power, and this power strengthens our faith, and thus we are preserved.1
1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 22.
...“faith” here not simply as belief in some theological or religious truth, but a vital and close relationship with either God or Jesus Christ, characterized by commitment to and trust in him. It is this vital relationship which makes it possible for God to protect the Christian. One can speak of God’s power as the objective aspect of being kept safe, and of faith as the subjective. Here as elsewhere in the New Testament, the relationship between what God does and what the believer does is not always made clear; it is nevertheless made clear that whenever God acts, there is always an element of human response for God’s action to be effective in the life of the believer. So here, God’s power can be understood as the instrument whereby the Christian is protected, and faith as the cause of, or reason for, the effectiveness of this protection.1
1 Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the First Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1980), 19.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Guarded Until the Mission is Over.
Guarded Until the Mission is Over.
King James Version Chapter 1
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Ready (ἑτοίμην). Stronger than about to be, or destined to be, implying a state of waiting or preparedness, and thus harmonizing with reserved.1
1 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 632.
The salvation spoken of here is of course the glorification of our bodies. We received our justification at the moment we believed. We are receiving our sanctification, namely victory over sin and growth in the Christian life now. We will yet receive that part of salvation which awaits us in Glory.1
1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 22.
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 tim
God will protect them, not like a guard watching prisoners who will in the end be condemned when the judge gives his verdict, but like a soldier guiding and protecting people as they move through hostile territory toward the freedom of friendly lines. ...
Every preparation for the final unveiling of this salvation is completed. The curtain is about to go up. Only the final signal is awaited. Thus there is no question that God plans and has in fact accomplished salvation for his people, nor that the last times are here. The only question is the exact timing of its revelation to the rest of the world.1
1 Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 53–54.
A young couple visited a boarding care home which housed children for adoption. The care taker brought out all the children who were clean (recently bathed), well dressed, properly schooled in manners; for this couple’s inspection and selection. As they passed down the line and spoke to each child, they did not find the one they were looking for to adopt. They asked the care taker: “Do you have any more children?” He replied: “Yes, but he has not been cleaned up or dressed for viewing today.” The couple said immediately: “That alright, can we see him?” After a few minutes, the child was brought out and stood with the rest of the children. He was dirty, face unwashed, hair uncombed; clothes ragged and torn, no shoes; and his head was hanging down in shame, as he stood next to the other children.
After a few minutes of somber discussion; and wiping the tears from their eyes; they said to the care taker: “We want this child!” The man immediately replied: “But he is not as nice as the other children; he's unmannered, and unloved by his own parents.” He continued: “And we have been unable to get him to behave; why do you want him?” The couple paused, to regain their composure and replied: “We see in him, the blessings of God for our home, and a better hope in life for him.” With shame the man asked: “Do you want us to clean him up?” They coupled replied, lovingly: “No, we want the child just as he is right now.”
That's how God sees us; and he will take us, just like we are right now, not only reserving for us an inheritance in Heaven, but also Keeping us save in His protective custody.