Build a Peaceful Lifestyle

The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God

The Peaceful Kingdom

1 Peter 1:3-12  The Message

A New Life

^3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.

^6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
^8-9 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.
^10-12 The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah’s Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

For Reflection

Resurrection is not just for Christ.  Because of Christ, you too can become resurrected into righteous living.  Not just in the next life, but in the here and now.  The contamination of the life once lived is erased.  God has wiped the slate clean is not making lists.  You are free to choose not to sin.  No regrets!  Your past ignored!  Your future full of hope.  God has given you the gift of life.  Your life is holy.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving to the giver of life.  Pray for the Spirit to engross you.  Pray for the love of Christ to guide you.  Pray to become a walker in the Way.