By Nathan Harris, Ph. D.
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, University of Mobile
Our Mandate
1 Peter 1:13–25
As we read in last week’s verses, Peter has laid out a call to bless God because of His mercy and grace in providing salvation to us through the cross of Christ.
For our joy and faith, when firmly rooted in the saving work of Christ, produces praise in our lives and propels us to persevere in the faith — no matter what may come our way. Now, moving from a theology of salvation, Peter begins to describe to his leaders what new life in Christ looks like here and now.
Holy (13–17)
These verses begin with an often overlooked word, “therefore.” When we encounter a “therefore” in our Bible reading, we must ask ourselves the old phrase “what is the therefore there for?” We must recognize that as Peter begins to tell believers about how they are to now live, they must know that it is all because of Christ.
In other words, he is saying that it is because of the gospel that I am calling you to live holy lives. Peter’s call to holiness is a call to action. Christians are to be prepared and sober-minded, fully focused on our hope in Christ, denying the passions of their former lives and to pursue holiness because God is holy. Because of the gospel and the new life we have in Christ, Christians are to focus on living holy lives, not with their eyes focused on the desires of this world, but secured in the hope we have in heaven.
Redeemed (18–21)
While Christians live and walk in holiness, because of the gospel, they do so knowing fully that they have been redeemed — purchased not with silver or gold, but by the precious blood of Jesus.
The idea of redemption is a beautiful image and reality in which Christians live, as Peter points out. That all who find new life through the cross, were purchased out of the bondage and service of sin and redeemed to the Father through the perfect and unblemished sacrifice of Christ.
If the gospel is the foundation for holy living, then remembering the redeeming work of Christ is the motivation for holy living. It’s the accomplished work of Christ that both gives us new birth as well as propels us forward in holiness.
Brotherly Love (22–25)
And having our souls purified by the obedience to the truth, God’s Word, we are to pursue brotherly love. From a pure heart, those found in Christ are to love one another genuinely in all earnesty.
The Christian pursuit of loving one another (brotherly love) is a result of our new life, being born again. As Peter points out, the result of new life is holiness, and the result of holiness is an earnest heart that loves thy brother.
A genuine love for one another is a distinctive mark of the believer, one that has been born again and sanctified by the Spirit. And it is through the Word that we, as Christians, experience all that Peter explains.
It is not just any word, not like a perishable seed that is planted, grows and withers away, but by the imperishable seed, that is the unfading and ever faithful Word of God.
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