1 Peter 1-5
December 28, 2014

Having read through all of 1 Peter, I have decided to limit my comments to Chapter 1, given that there is far too much information in the letter to do justice to it all here.

1.  Jesus is the cornerstone, the key part of the building that ensures the rest of the building is square and true.  The cornerstone identifies the rest of the building.   So as He identifies himself as the cornerstone we must choose to accept that truth.  If we do not, then He becomes the "stumbling stone" the rock that trips men up.   There are many people who simply cannot accept the idea that Jesus Christ is who He said He was.   Probably because if they did, they would have to accept His teachings as well.

2. Beginning in verse 9 Peter identifies the Church as a Priesthood, a Nation and a People.  There's probably a good sermon right in that verse.   In my own thoughts I often return to the idea that Christians by confession have become citizens of a new kingdom.  Some of us are from the United States, some from Africa, Russia, Iran or wherever...but all of us are citizens of one great kingdom.  That kingdom has one ruler, Jesus Christ, and combined we are called the Church.   Our citizenship in the kingdom of God must take first priority.  If the earthly nation to which we claim citizenship should ask us to do things that our heavenly father disapproves of, then we cannot do them.   As heavenly kingdom citizens we should obey the lawful commands of earth, but always as foreigners and travelers...which is what we have become in Jesus Christ.   Therefore, I have a political opinion, but I am willing to listen to both sides of the issue, for after all...I am first and foremost a citizen of a different place where local politics don't really matter.
It's easy to become caught up in the day to day drama that the newsreel feeds us.   Sometimes I think that the constant diet of "sports, politics and entertainment" is really just a way to keep us from realizing what is really going on around us.   It keeps our focus off the fact that people are starving in other parts of the world, and that Christian brothers and sisters are being tortured and displaced from their homes because of their faith.   Here in the State we don't hear too much about it, because it isn't deemed of high importance for this nation.

But for the heavenly nation I think it is of utmost importance.   While we are busy trying to decide "Who said what to whom" on our weekly TV shows, the real work of the kingdom isn't getting enough attention.

Living as an "alien or stranger" in the world demands that we behave in a different manner.   The challenge has been issued, and all kingdom citizens should rally behind the Master, living lives of full submission, and using our resources in love to help others.


PR