The Demonstration of Salvation
Introduction
Last week, we saw that in 1 Peter chapter 1, there is “A Message Concerning The Believer’s Salvation.” And in the first section of this chapter (verses 1-12), Peter discussed “The Doctrine Of Salvation.”
As we come to the second half of chapter 1, Peter is discussing “The Demonstration Of Salvation.”
I. The Relevant Ways We Should Demonstrate Salvation
(1 Peter 1:13-17)
A. It Should Be Demonstrated In The Context Of Our Thoughts
1. Peter Mentions The Positive Areas Of Our Thought Life
(1 Peter 1:13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Wiersbe said…
“Gird up the loins of your mind” simply means, “Pull your thoughts together! Have a disciplined mind!” The image is that of a robed man, tucking his skirts under the belt, so he can be free to run. When you center your thoughts on the return of Christ, and live accordingly, you escape the many worldly things that would encumber your mind and hinder your spiritual progress. Peter may have borrowed the idea from the Passover supper, because later in this section he identifies Christ as the Lamb (1 Peter 1:19). The Jews at Passover were supposed to eat the meal in haste, ready to move (Exodus 12:11).
sober – Greek NT:3525. neefontes; to be sober; in the N. T. (means) to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Barnes’ Notes says of this phrase “hope to the end” …
The translation in the text is the most correct. It means that they were not to become faint or weary in their trials. They were not to abandon the hopes of the gospel, but were to cherish those hopes to the end of life, whatever opposition they might meet with, and however much might be done by others to induce them to apostatize.
2. Peter Mentions The Prohibited Areas Of Our Thought Life
(1 Peter 1:14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says…
The former lusts in – characteristic of your state of ignorance of God: true of Jews and Gentiles. The sanctification is first described negatively (1 Peter 1:14, putting off the old man, even in outward fashion, as well as in inward conformation), then positively (1 Peter 1:15, putting on the new man: cf. Ephesians 4:22,24). “Lusts” flow from original birth – sin (inherited from Adam, who by self-willed desire brought sin into the world), the lust which, ever since man has been alienated from God, seeks to fill up with earthly things the emptiness of his being.
fashioning – Greek 4964. suschematizo; from G4862 (union with) and a der. of G4976 (the external condition); to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern: --conform to, fashion self according to.
The same word is used in Romans 12:2 where it is translated “conformed.”
Cf. (Romans 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
ignorance – Greek NT:52. agnoia; want of knowledge, ignorance, especially of divine things. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
B. It Should Be Demonstrated In The Context Of Our Tasks
Notice The Practical Manifestation Of Holiness
(1 Peter 1:15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
holy – Greek 40. hagios; from hagos (an awful thing) [comp. G53, H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): --(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
conversation – Greek NT:391 anastrofee; properly (it means), ‘walk,’ i. e. manner of life, behavior, conduct; ?the ways in which holy living shows itself, 2 Peter 3:11. Hence, life in so far as it is comprised in conduct. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Cf. (2 Peter 3:11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
all manner – Greek 3956. pas; a primary word meaning all, any, every, the whole: --all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
2. Notice The Plain Mandate Of Holiness
(1 Peter 1:16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Here is where it is written…
(Leviticus 11:44) For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Here’s another similar reference in Leviticus…
(Leviticus 20:7) Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.
Wiersbe said…
“It is written!” is a statement that carries great authority for the believer. Our Lord used the Word of God to defeat Satan, and so may we (Matthew 4:1-11; see Ephesians 6:17). But the Word of God is not only a sword for battle; it is also a light to guide us in this dark world (Psalms 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19), food that strengthens us (Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2), and water that washes us (Ephesians 5:25-27).
C. It Should Be Demonstrated In The Context Of Our Time
(1 Peter 1:17) 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:
1. We Should Pass Our Time Having An Awareness Of The Father
It was S. A. Tipple who said…
In saying “if ye call on the Father,” the apostle did not mean for a moment to express any doubt; the “if” simply introduces a premise on which a conclusion is to be based. (From The Biblical Illustrator)
Barnes’ Notes says…
He judges each one according to his character; or to what he has done. The meaning is: “You worship a God who will judge every person according to his real character, and you should therefore
lead such lives as he can approve.”
judgeth – Greek 2919. krino; properly it means to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication it means to try, condemn, punish: --avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
2. We Should Pass Our Time Having An Attitude Of Fear
Wiersbe said…
I sometimes feel that there is today an increase in carelessness, even flippancy, in the way we talk about God or talk to God. Nearly a century ago, Bishop B.F. Westcott said, “Every year makes me tremble at the daring with which people speak of spiritual things.” The godly bishop should hear what is said today! A worldly actress calls God “the Man upstairs.” A baseball player calls Him “the great Yankee in the sky.” An Old Testament Jew so feared God that he would not even pronounce His holy name, yet we today speak of God with carelessness and irreverence.
sojourning – Greek 3940. paroikia; from G3941 (an alien resident, a foreigner, a stranger); foreign residence.
This hearkens back to verse 1 where the scattered strangers are mentioned.
fear – Greek 5401. phobos; from a prim. phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, terror.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says of this word “fear” (NT:5399 – foboo)… Fear of God takes the form of reverent and submissive recognition in trust and obedience. Hence
those who fear God are reliable. Fear of God results from hearing the law. It is the same as serving
God or treading his way. Fear of God is more than an attitude; it is observance of moral and cultic demands. It thus excludes fear of the punishment that overtakes those who do not fear God.
II. The Reasons Why We Should Demonstrate Salvation
(1 Peter 1:18-25)
A. Because The Blood Is Precious
We Should Live Out Our Faith In A Demonstrative Way Because The Blood Is Precious
1. Peter Reminds Us That The Lost Have Been Redeemed
(1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Note that A. T. Robertson said of the phrase “knowing” (forasmuch as ye know), “The appeal is to an elementary Christian belief, the holiness and justice of God with the added thought of the high cost of redemption.”
Wiersbe said…
This is the highest motive for holy living. In this paragraph, Peter reminded his readers of their salvation experience, a reminder that all of us regularly need. This is one reason our Lord established the Lord’s Supper, so that regularly His people would remember that He died for them.
(See Scofield notes on “Redemption” at Romans 3) It was F. B. Meyer who said…
Probably it is the most momentous fact about us that we have been redeemed. It is much to have been created. It is much to be endowed with life in a world so full of marvelous possibilities as ours. It is much to have a soul, which can call up the past, or interrogate the present, or anticipate and prepare for the future. But it is more that we have been redeemed. (From The Biblical Illustrator)
received by tradition from fathers – Greek 3970. patroparadotos, pat-rop-ar-ad'-ot-os; from G3962 and a der. of G3860 (in the sense of handing over or down); traditionary.
2. Peter Reminds Us That The Lamb Has Been Revealed
(1 Peter 1:20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
foreordained – Greek 4267. proginosko, prog-in-oce'-ko; from G4253 and G1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:--foreknow (ordain), know (before).
manifest – Greek 5319. phaneroo, fan-er-o'-o; from G5318 (shining publicly and externally); to render apparent (lit. or fig.):--appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says…
This last dispensation, made up of “times” marked by great changes, still retaining a general unity, stretches from Christ’s ascension to His coming to judgment.
B. Because The Believer Is Purified
We Should Live Out Our Faith In A Demonstrative Way Because The Believer Is Purified
1. Peter Mentions The God Of Our Purification
(1 Peter 1:21) 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.
God – Greek 2316. theos; the supreme Divinity; figuratively it means a magistrate.
Notice that the verse begins and ends with faith in God … it begins with faith to accept Christ, and then it becomes faith (and hope) to anticipate Christ.
2. Peter Mentions The Goal Of Our Purification
(1 Peter 1:22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Wiersbe said…
Peter used two different words for love: philadelphia which is “brotherly love,” and agape, which is godlike sacrificial love. It is important that we share both kinds of love. We share brotherly love because we are brothers and sisters in Christ and have likenesses. We share agape love because we belong to God and therefore can overlook differences.
The brotherly love is to be “unfeigned,” in other words real and sincere. The agape love comes fervently from a pure heart.
fervently – Greek 1619. ektenos; means intently.
C. Because The Bible Is Permanent
We Should Live Out Our Faith In A Demonstrative Way Because The Bible Is Permanent
1. Notice How The Living Word Is Productive
(1 Peter 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
The new birth that produces the love in verse 22 springs forth from the seed of the living Word in verse 23.
liveth (translated from the same word as “lively” in verse 3) – Greek 2198. zao, dzah'-o; a primary verb meaning to live.
The “born again” of verse 23 explains further how we were “begotten” in verse 3. “Born again” is a perfect passive participle, which indicates that the action has already taken place and been completed.
2. Notice How The Lasting Word Is Pictured
(1 Peter 1:24-25) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: {25} But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Listen once more to the words of Wiersbe…
Our first birth was a birth of “flesh,” and the flesh is corruptible. Whatever is born of flesh is destined to die and decay. This explains why mankind cannot hold civilization together. It is all based on human flesh and is destined to fall apart. Like the beautiful flowers of spring, man’s works look successful for a time, but then they start to decay and die. All the way from the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, to “Babylon the Great” in Revelation 17-18, man’s great attempts at unity are destined to fail.
abideth (vs. 23) & endureth (vs. 25) – Greek 3306. meno; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): --abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
Grass lives and dies with the seasons, but because the word endures forever, we can preach it in season and out of season.