Bible Pathway - Dec. 17, 2009
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Get this: Begotten us again (1:3) means born again. Hope in tests and trials, anchored on the matchless sacrifice of Jesus (1:6-9;2:21). Called to be holy like Him (1:13-23). His Word is for ever (1:23-25). Christ is the Chief Corner Stone (2:6-8). We're a royal priesthood (2:9-10).
This letter was written by the same Peter who was with our Lord most of the three and one half years of His ministry as one of His 12 Apostles. No one knew Jesus better and Peter became a loyal, devout disciple.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers (Christians) scattered throughout . . . Asia. . . . Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. . . . That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. . . . Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (1:1,5,7; 2:1-2).
You do not put your trust in one you do not know, and the great problem is that so few take the time to really know God by daily praying and reading His Word. Many have heard much about Him; but when problems come, their hold is so slight, their acquaintance so superficial, that they do not know the power of God. We can know God as Peter did. If He is to be anything to us when we most need Him, we need to know His Word. O, how we need someone whom we can fully trust in the great emergencies of life and death! Let us apply ourselves to reading and then believing, and we shall know God as Peter did. As we read His Word and pray with a desire to let the indwelling Holy Spirit guide us, He will strengthen us to live according to His Word. At the time we accepted Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit came to live within us and brought about a miraculous change we call the new birth or being born again (John 3:3,7; I Pet. 1:23). We are called to a life of separation from the defiling things of the world. By yielding control of our lives to the Holy Spirit He will enable us to please the Lord.
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: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (I Pet. 1:22-23).
Thought for Today:
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (II Cor. 6:17).
Cross References:
For I Pet. 1:16: See Lev. 11:44-45. I Pet. 1:24-25: See Is. 40:6-8. I Pet. 2:6-7: See Is. 28:16; Ps. 118:22. I Pet. 2:22: See Is. 53:9. I Pet. 2:24-25: See Is. 53:4-6,12.
Word Studies:
1:17 sojourning =temporarily residing; 2:2 sincere =perfect, pure, without a mixture; 2:4 disallowed =rejected; 2:19 thankworthy =acceptable, something we should give thanks for.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: George Kopchak • Country: Panama (3 million) in southern Central America • Major languages: Spanish and English • Limited religious freedom • 78% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant; 5% Muslim; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: When you pray, be brief and pray from your heart (Eccl. 5:2).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 18:35
