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Sunday, October 13, 2013

P2 Living Godly Lives in these last days - The 4 B's



1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart."

Yesterday we considered the importance of living a Godly life on a personal level in these last days.  We noted the commands for such (1 Peter 1:13), followed by noting the "how to's" (1 Peter 1:14-15) with a final section on why it is important to live a Godly life (1 Peter 1:16-21).  In today's post we want to carry forth in Peter's argument in 1 Peter 1 by noting how we can relate to others in Godly living in these last days.  

1. Command to love one another in a Godly manner. 1 Peter 1:22
Much like we saw in yesterday's post, Peter's words here in 1 Peter 1:22-25 follow the same pattern: commands (compare 1:22 to 1:13); "how to's" regarding the commands (compare 1:22 to 1:14-15) and why it is we need to pursue Godly living (compare 1:23-25 to 1:16-21).  

2. How to love one another in these last days
The "how to" is also found in 1:22, namely "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren....".  Obedience means I am walking out in full measure the bit of light God gave me though His Word. (1 John 1:5-7)  The light of course being the grace, and obedience being my stepping into the provision of grace.  Just as we saw in yesterday's post, Godly living, whether on the individual level or in relationship to other people, requires obedience flowing from the root of faith watered by grace.

3. Why be Godly toward one another in these last days
The "why part" is detailed for us in 1 Peter 1:23-25 in terms of our spiritual identity in Jesus Christ and the scripture's authority. Whenever you see that word "for" in the text, that is giving you the reasons as to why you need to be doing whatever God is commanding.  In this instances we see two main reasons:

a. Your spiritual identity as a Christian is why you need to be Godly towards other people
1 Peter 1:23 "for you have been born again"
Peter is reminding these people of who they are and Whose they are.  They have been born again of incorruptible seed.  The Spirit of God Himself indwells and issues instructions from His Word.  Know who I am and Whose I am can make all the difference in how I carry out my daily life for Jesus' sake.  

b. Scripture itself tells you that you must and can be Godly towards other people 
1 Peter 1:24 "for all flesh is grass..."
A second reason as to why we are to live Godly lives towards one another in these last days - the scripture's authority.  My flesh, my willpower is inadequate for the Godly life.  Though God has ordained in your Christian growth to include the participation of your will, nevertheless God's Word is required to supply the necessary strength.  Peter again writes: "But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which was preached to you." The same Book that tells you to live the Godly life is the same source the Spirit of God uses to empower you to live the Godly life.

Conclusion: the 4 "B's" of Godly living in these last days
As we draw this short study of 1 Peter 1:13-25 to a close, I would like us to consider what I term the "4 B's" of Godly living in both the personal (1:13-21) and relational (1:22-25) in these last days.  Whether you are trying to apply 1 Peter 1:13-25 to your own personal walk or in your relationship with others, consider these four closing thoughts as application:

1. "Be" Holy -1 Peter 1:13-16
2. "Be" Knowledgeable - 1 Peter 1:17-21
3. "Be" Loving - 1 Peter 1:22-23
4. "Be" in the Bible - 1 Peter 1:24-25