- As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct 1 Peter 1:14-15 – In a couple verses it’s starts out by saying, “And if you call on him as Father.” So if we desire to carry the title of God’s children and want the blessings that come with God as our Father, then the command to us is to live holy. Scripture here tells us to no longer be connected and living in the sinful ways of your past before you became a child of God. Your title is different and your lifestyle should be as well. Just remember that while this may seem to at first take you away from some of the “fun” you’ve integrated into your life, the life you’re living was bought for you with the death of Jesus on the cross. If God was willing to give up that much for us, what are you willing to sacrifice for Him? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 741
- In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 – In “this” you rejoice? What is the “this” scripture is speaking of? What is it that we rejoice in despite all the trials? For the trials they were facing in the time of this passage were severe, what could outweigh the pain of persecution they were experiencing? The promise of Heaven. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus have become sons and daughters of God. We have Heaven and the beauty within it to hope for once this earthly life is over. We have the hope of an eternity of peace, love, and joy with Jesus. If you hear this and begin to think that’s somewhat of a disappointment of a “reward” for all the trouble you’re going through, know I hear you, but you must not have yet a clear understanding of how good Heaven will be. Scripture shows us that Heaven is worth the pain of today. That even if in this life we don’t taste the relief, the beauty of what Heaven is will make the pain of today a forgotten memory. Rest in this hope in your pain of today. What God is promising us is worth it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1855
- Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ… 1 Peter 1:1a – Peter. He was one of the twelve disciples called to follow Jesus. He was one of the close three that was allowed closer access to the work of Jesus than any other like getting to firsthand see the transfiguration. Peter was the only one to walk on the water with Jesus. This was Peter, and Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ. What I love though about this short, seemingly insignificant phrase is when it came in Peter’s life. Peter wrote this sometime after the night of Jesus’ arrest. After denying Jesus three times, after making the biggest mistake of his life, Peter now as he writes still sees himself as he truly still is, an apostle of Jesus Christ. His mistakes didn’t change who he was in Jesus. Your mistakes today won’t change who you are in Jesus. If you’ve chosen to follow Jesus, you will always be loved by Him, you will always be allowed into His presence, and you will always be wanted by God. A mistake today won’t change the fact you’re a child of God. A mistake today won’t change the fact that you’re a disciple of Jesus. Pursue a life of holiness, just as our chapter speaks on, but don’t believe the lie that a slip up in your pursuit of Jesus will ruin your life with Jesus. Know who you are in Jesus. Know who you still are in Jesus even after your biggest mistake. Seen by God, loved by God, wanted by God, and still His. I love you, but Jesus loves you more. – Mac – Daily DEVO 2003
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