Page 42 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

genuineness of their faith to result in praise, glory, and honor at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Like
gold, which is of less value than faith undergo refining, so is our faith. If sufferings are for that sweet
purpose and results, why do we ask a lot of questions, complain or grumble when we are experiencing
them? Further, why do we always seek for quick solutions to what we may call or label long term
suffering? For example, chronic sicknesses. Sometimes, fear of being stigmatized or laughed at by
people around us for experiencing relentless suffering puts us in an unusual and evil pressure of trying
to find quick fixes to those sufferings. On the other hand, fear of being labeled as prayerless people
would pressure us to look for quick fixes. What causes us to be in such pressure? I suggest that that
pressure is in most cases (if not all) caused by shallow knowledge of the biblical teaching on the
purposes and permanent spiritual dividends sufferings can bring. As a result, we fail to envisage the
spiritual benefits of having to undergo suffering.

In 1 Peter 1:10-12, Peter continues to encourage them that even if they do not see Him now, especially
during intense suffering (were seeing Jesus Christ would be deemed as a game changer to their difficulty
situations), they were still filled with inexpressible and glorious joy because they were receiving the end
result of their faith, namely; salvation of their souls. New Testament sees salvation to have been
accomplished for us already now but not yet. We have it but then we will at the second coming of Jesus
Christ completely realize all the spiritual blessings that come with it. The future realization of that
salvation by people was prophesied by prophets after making a careful search and inquiries from the
Holy Spirit. By doing so, they were not serving themselves but Peter’s audience through the
proclamation of those things concerning the fulfillment of spiritual blessings at the second coming of
Jesus Christ. Even angels themselves long to look into those things. Those things were proclaimed to
them not by Peter himself but someone else. “Peter seems to indicate that angels are curious about
matters of grace (v10) and the gospel. This claim highlights the privilege of Christians who have matters
of salvation revealed to them.”
98

Response to the New Birth (1 Pet. 1:13—2:3).

First, in light of the new birth caused by God’s great mercy that produced in them some
results, they needed to keep sober in spirit (NASB) or be self-controlled (NIV [1 Pet. 1:13-]).
God who called them is self-controlled and sober and that is His nature. Through Peter, God needed
them to be holy, by being self-controlled or sober in the spirit. “A sober response entails rational and
99
clear thinking that leads to sound judgment rather than panic or flippancy.” With that sober response,
while undergoing through intense suffering, their motivation relied on the setting of the hope on the
grace to be brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ. “God’s gracious act at the eschaton (the
last day) will vindicate and reward all the suffering and sacrifice of the saints. Peter’s point is that it will
all be worth it when “Christ is revealed to the world” (1:13) and our final victory is made eternal.” So,
100
the believers needed not to focus on their present circumstances but on great expectation (cf. 1 Pet.
1:13).

Second, in light of the new birth caused by God’s great mercy that produced in them some
results, they were required not to be conformed to the evil desires they had when they lived
in ignorance (1 Pet. 1:14-16).
To conform is to live by a certain standard or way of life. In this case, it means to copy the ignorant way
of life and live it out. They were required to be holy because God is holy (cf. Lev. 19:2; 20:7). Osborne
notes that “Until we have separated ourselves from “[our] own desires” (the basic pattern of a worldly
life), as well as our conduct from the world’s ways, we cannot belong to God and begin to be “holy.”
101

41