For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25

If there is any question, who the prophecy of Isaiah 53 is about, the Apostle Peter , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes it very clear that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the suffering servant in Isaiah. Those who claim the Messiah would never die for the sins of the world, don’t understand God’s salvation plan for humanity and they also don’t understand their state of depravity.

And as we reflect on the cross, and all the suffering that Christ endured for us, only because he loves us, the Apostle Peter makes a profound statement “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps” So much for prosperity gospel, so much for Christian nationalism, no you are going to suffer for Christ because Christ suffered for you!

This idea that we are going to escape any suffering or persecution in Christ is not Biblical. In fact Jesus taught completely the opposite , Christ said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) or Jesus taught “Anyone who endures to the end , shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) This idea that you are going to “live your best life now” is not only not Biblical, its blasphemy to be honest. You woulds have to deny all the teachings of Christ and the Apostles to come to that conclusion

Now before we end this devotional, I want you to reread the words of Peter here , over and over. Understand the suffering Christ endured for your soul, understand Christ only did this because he loves you and wants to set you free from the wrath to come. If you understand this, why wouldn’t you be willing to give your life to Jesus Christ? This world has nothing to offer that is greater than the love of Jesus Christ

Who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree (cross), that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness. Christ paid the penalty for your sins, for my sins, can you grasp a God who would do this? Can you grasp the love your Creator has for his rebellious creation? That we may be declared righteous before our Heavenly Father, only because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit

What would Jesus do? Christ is our example, learn from him by his word, live for him by your actions, be obedient to him because Christ is your Lord and God, Amen!

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17

As we continue with this theme about being in a “New Exodus” in Christ, this brings up alot of questions for practical reasons. How do we live as Christians in a evil nation? What is the role and responsibility of a Christian in a worldly nation? This topic is actually talked about alot in the Bible!

Jesus spoke on this topic saying “Render to Caesar what is Ceasors, and Render to God what is Gods” (Matthew 22) Jesus is simply instructing us to pay our taxes that are owed to the government and pay the tithe that we owe to God. Just because we are Christians, and are set apart from the world, doesn’t mean we live in rebellion to the world. We as Christians need to represent Christ to the world, we are not going to disobey all laws or refuse to pay what we owe to the government, we are to be good citizens. 

Now of course the question comes up, what if the Law of the land disagrees with the Law of God. Well as the Apostle Peter once said “We obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29) As the Apostle Paul said “We strive to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18) As Christians were not looking for trouble, were not looking to riot and burn cities down, however we also are not going to conform to the evil ways of the world, there is a fine line we must walk as Christians

Going back to what the Apostle Peter is saying “Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake” Why do we submit to the government?  Because we submit to The Lord first, how we live our lives represents Christ. So how do we submit to authorities? The basics that all citizens would do, we pay our taxes, we follow simple laws, we love our neighbors! 

The Apostle Peter makes a great statement here “Live as Free people, but don’t use your freedom as excuse to do evil” We are free in Christ, we are set apart and we are citizens of Gods Kingdom (Philippians 3:20) However this doesn’t mean we disregard all laws placed by a nation or government. Within reason, we try to be good citizens and maintain law and order, again if something is immoral we won’t comply, but for most basic laws , we will comply to keep the peace

Why do you think the world has be so threatened by Christians since the beginning? Because we are under the rule of a different King, the Lord of Lords, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and every knee only bows to his name and no other, Amen!

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12

When we read about the Exodus in the Old Testament, many Christians probably wonder “What does that have to do with me today”? One thing is we can learn from the Israelites about the Exodus, because as Christians in the world today, you are in a New Exodus. Notice how the Apostle Peter addresses the Church, “You as strangers and pilgrims” Some English translations say “as Foreigners and Exiles”

So what does the Apostle Peter mean by this? Well because as a Born Again Christian, you are set apart from the world in Christ. We are not like the world or even comfortable in this world. Many Christians today you can’t tell them apart from the world, and that’s a clear sign of the fruit they are producing, good or bad (Matthew 7) 

So going back to the Exodus story, just as the Israelites lived in Egypt and among the rule of Egypt, they were not part of Egypt, they didn’t identify or conform to the ways of Egypt, they were clearly set apart as Children of God. The Church needs to be clearly identified as apart from the world. As we are called pilgrims in this world, as we  continue to way for our Exodus into our Promised Land, the New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21, Isaiah 65) This world today is not the promised land, this is our mission field as the Church

What happens when you become friends with the world? As the Apostle Peter says “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” As Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul?” (Mark 8:36) When you align yourself with the world, you open your flesh upon to the temptations and pleasures of this world, which war against your soul. 

Now with all this said, this doesn’t mean we all become monks and live in a cave, as Jesus said “My prayer is not to take them out of the world, but you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15) As the Church we have work to do, the Great Commision needs to be filled (Matthew 28:19) we are the salt and light (Matthew 5) We are called to live in this world in Christ but not be part of this world. This can be a difficult rope walk to take, but this is why we need the Church to support one another, and be led by the Holy Spirit in all things

We can be an example for the unsaved in this dark world, as Peter says here “May your good works, which they behold, glorify God” When the world looks at us they should be able to see we are Christians by our works, by our love, by being set apart in Jesus name Amen!

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Nowadays when we hear “The Chosen” we think about the new streaming series that is supposed to be based on The Bible, however the fact is even before that show existed, you are The Chosen! Every Christian who has become Born Again in Christ was chosen by Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)

This is a very difficult concept for our human minds to comprehend, at least for mine. That our salvation was already chosen before we even existed, now I’m not looking to start an argument over soteriology, however if we believe the Bible is the Word of God, then we must believe what it says! However you want to incorporate will into this equation, the reality is we were chosen by God before the foundation of the world

The Apostle Peter starts here by saying “You are a chosen generation” or chosen race, nation, or family, you were selected by God Almighty. Not only were you Chosen, but you are also expected to be a royal priesthood and holy nation. That is very high expectations from our Lord, wouldn’t you say? So while being Chosen may make some feel arrogant, this comes with very high expectations of our Lord and God

So what are we to do as the Chosen? Peter goes on to say “That you are to proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness” How did you ever become saved? You were chosen, you were called out by the Father and led to Christ to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. And your new calling is to give glory, to serve, and to share the gospel of your Lord and God

We all had a past at one time, but as the Apostle Peter says “But are Now the people of God” Whatever you were before, when you become Born Again, you are now a Child of God, you are part of God’s Kingdom and Nation of people, you have been chosen, you have been elected. Which now have obtained mercy because you are the Chosen family of God in Jesus name Amen!

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1 Peter 2:4-7

Notice when the Bible makes reference to Christ and to Gods people, he references them as stones, that means they are permanent and unmovable. The question today for you “Is Jesus your Cornerstone of your life”? Now you might not understand what I mean, so let me clarify with the scriptures that are provided today in our reading

The Apostle Peter is quoting the Old Testament when he makes the statement “Behold, I (God) lay in Zion a Chief Cornerstone” (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22) the stone which the builders (Israel) rejected is the chief cornerstone (Christ). Jesus is the foundation of our faith, everything is built upon Him and laid on him, that’s why Christ is called The Rock. The Messiah who Israel rejected, is the only One who can bring salvation for our souls!

As Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27, those who built their house upon the sand will not be able to withstand the storms of life, however those who built their house upon the rock (Jesus Christ) will stand forever . We need to build our life and faith upon Jesus Christ, the chief Cornerstone, all other options are sinking sand. No matter how strong your faith is, there will come a time when the storms of life come, if you are not built upon the rock, the foundation of your house will crumble!

Not only is our Lord the Cornerstone, but we as Children of God are called Living Stones. When we put genuine faith in Christ, our foundation is solid. We think back to the pandemic a few years ago, the faith of many believers was shaken, many Church buildings were shut down temporarily, many were afraid of getting sick and dying. What happened? There were many Christians who have not truly built their faith on the Rock , Jesus Christ. However there were many Living Stones, who kept pressing on, because they knew Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. Whatever was going to happen, we would not be forsaken!

The Apostle Peter says we are a “Holy Priesthood” in Christ. Just like the Levitical priest line in the Mosaic Covenant, their lives were to service the Temple and God, this is our calling in Christ , to serve and worship God always! Whatever we do, we do it all for the glory of God!

So back to the original question, is your life built upon the Rock Jesus Christ? Does the life you live reflect this profession of faith? Build your life upon the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and you will never be forsaken by the storms of life, Amen!

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  1 Peter 2:1-2

Jesus said “Unless you become like a little child, you will not enter the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 18:3) Previously we talked about becoming Born Again in Christ, during this process you are in some ways literally becoming reborn, becoming a new creation (2 Cor. 5:7) When we come to Christ we are never the same again, our lives are transformed as we are becoming conformed into the image of Christ

As the Apostle Peter states “Laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envies and evil speakings” As a new creation in Christ, we now act differently then we once did. We no longer are bearing the fruits of a bad tree, we are bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) We no longer live like we once did, we lay aside the sinful lifestyle that was in disobedience to Christ

Next the Apostle Peter goes on to say “As newborn babies”, when you first come to Christ, you are a babe in Christ. You might not know anything but Jesus is Lord, and as we walk with Christ , we grow in Christ being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This is why it’s so important to belong to a Church community, you need discipleship and fellowship with other Christians, you can’t complete this walk alone!

This is why I recommend that new Christians should do more listening and learning then preaching and teaching. Many new Christians are on fire for The Lord, which is great, but most don’t have a deep understanding of God, the gospel, the Bible, ect. If we look back at our thoughts and opinions from several years ago, we should see a total maturity in faith. It’s going to take time to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and learning the Word of God is a lifelong process that will never end

Desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow! You should have a strong desire to read your Bible, to consume the Word of God, this is the milk that is going to make you into a mature Christian. Without the milk, you will never grow in Christ. We should always continually strive to keep growing and learning in Christ by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit

Come to Jesus with childlike faith, unless you become like a little child, humble yourself and learn with obedience, you can’t enter the Kingdom of God, Amen!

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21

Think about this scenario, your headed to life in prison for the crimes you have commited, you have one call you can make, who do you call? Your probably going to call the one who can bail you out or help you , right? This is the same scenario with your soul, your soul is on trial and being sentenced to eternal damnation, so who are you going to call? Hopefully you are calling upon God, because he’s the only one who can save you.

Notice what the Apostle Peter says here “If you call on the Father (God), who without respects to people, judges according to everyone’s works” There is good news and bad news here, the good news is your judge is a righteous and fair judge, the bad news is your judge is a righteous and fair judge. One day everyone of us will stand before God and be judged for our life, are you ready to stand before The Lord on judgment day? The judge doesn’t care how much money you have, or how many touchdowns you scored, or how popular your social media account is, God will judge you based on His standard of morality, the Ten Commandments

This is an issue that will effect everyone, so what can we do? How can we escape the wrath that is to come? Well as the Apostle Peter says here “As you know that you are not redeemed with corruptible things BUT with the precious blood of Christ” There is only one escape from the wrath to come and that’s to repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ! Now that’s a very simplified explanation I know but as scripture tells us “Everyone who calls upon the name of The Lord, shall be saved” (Romans 10:13)

There is only one solution in this world to save your soul, but why? As Peter mentioned , the precious blood of Jesus Christ, there is only One who can atone for your sins, there is only One who can wash you clean from your filthiness, there is only One who can transform you and make you Born Again! Nobody else can provide this solution for your soul, that’s why Jesus said “I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life, Nobody comes to the Father, except through me (John 14:6) There is only One path to salvation and One way to the Father, and that’s Jesus Christ

As Peter continues to say “But was manifest in these last times for You” God has made this so easy for you, Jesus Christ came into flesh, died for your sins, and rose on the 3rd day defeating sin and death forever, all you need to do is turn away from your sins, put your full faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen!