Reflections on 1 Peter

I was talking with Jen, one of our student ministers yesterday morning and we were reflecting on how helpful 1 Peter is at keeping our perspective right - holding in tension the struggles and difficulties of this world, which are seen and felt and very real, with the great hope of eternity in heaven, which can seem far off and distant, yet is far bigger and better than anything of this world.

The troubles of this world are real: disappointments, unemployment, illness, relationship difficulties, unrealised expectations and struggles with sin that seem unending to name a few. At times they can seem overwhelming - and indeed like the only reality. Just getting by day to day can seem like enough.

And we can get so caught up in just surviving that we lose sight of the fact that as Christians we have so much more to live for. This world is not the end! We have a restored relationship with our heavenly Father. We have the promise of eternal life. We have been freed from the power of sin and have been given his Holy Spirit, that works in us to change and transform us as we await Jesus return.

We do still sin and we do still live in a sinful world where we see its effects. But we are not of this world, we are now 'aliens and strangers' in our temporary home awaiting the new creation.

So how are we to live? Let me quote from 1 Peter 1:13-16 (from my trusty new Holman)

Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance, but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy

That's what I'm working on this week.