1 Peter 1:3-9: The Result of New Birth

1 Peter 1:3-9: The Result of New Birth

            As believers, it is no secret that we are born again, not in a literal but rather in a spiritual sense. We are born to new life in Christ, which is more important of a birth than our natural birth. ! Peter gives us some implications we must remember as part of our new birth.

1 Peter 1:3-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Born Again to a Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

God Is the Cause of Our New Birth (vv. 3-5)

            We are only born again because of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, we are not the initiators of our new birth, but rather God is, and it is through him, that we are born again or made new. This is the purpose of new birth, to be made new, like Christ.

Because of New Birth, We Are Tried (v. 6)

            We are promised tests and trials because of our new birth. It is guaranteed. This should cause us to think realistically about who we are in Christ and what the results are. For those who are in Christ, trials and tests are guaranteed.  

Through Testing, Our Faith Is Made Complete (vv. 7-9)

            We are reminded through this passage as well as in James that our faith is completed through testing. Therefore, let us be thankful for tests and trials. We are guaranteed trials because this is how we are made complete and more like Christ.

Philippians 2:5-11: The Example of Selflessness

Philippians 2:5-11: The Example of Selflessness

            With so many corrupt leaders, it is easy to assume that there has never been a good example of servant-leadership. Need I remind us all that Christ has shown the perfect example of selflessness? This is the example we are to follow and indeed the example of selflessness.

Philippians 2:5-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,^[b] being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Claim the Mindset of Christ, Namely Selflessness (v. 5)

            Paul assures us that the mindset we are to take on (which he has previously spoken of in verses 1-4) is ours in Christ Jesus. This means that we must claim it. We are not called to achieve it, but it has already been achieved so we must claim it. What mindset it that though? That is the mindset of selflessness.

What Does Selflessness Look Like? (vv. 6-7)

            The question now arises: what does selflessness look like? The perfect example of it has been given to us in Jesus Christ. Prior to the incarnation of Christ, he was the very form of God, Greek morphe theou. However, the Bible tells us here that he did not consider it but instead took on human form by emptying himself. This does not mean that he gave up his position as God; it simply means that he neglected his position as God to become completely human. This has so many implications with it, one being that if Jesus Christ could live a sinless life as a human, we can too! Will we though? Absolutely not because the Bible tells us that no one is sinless. Nonetheless, as sinners saved by grace, we are called to live sinless in Christ, which is completely possible. Why do we so often make excuses for our sin then? There is no excuse, and it is when we realize that fact, our concept of the mercy of God is greatly magnified.

            Selflessness looks like Christ. He showed the perfect example of selflessness by taking on the form of a human, becoming less than he had to. We must also not consider ourselves worth anything except in Jesus Christ and, therefore, serve others as Christ did.

Exaltation Is the Result of Selflessness in the Kingdom of God (vv. 8-11)

In the Kingdom of God, selflessness leads to God-honoring. You will be honored for selflessness. It is no small thing, although it may seem as so, at times. Take the example of Christ. It was precisely the selflessness of Christ that resulted in his exaltation. This is true with any believer, but because Christ is the perfect example of selflessness, he is now exalted above all. The Bible says that the highest name in existence was bestowed upon him. What is that name though? It is not the name, Jesus, as many mistakenly believe. No, the name is Lord. That is what every tongue will declare, namely that he is Lord!

It is because we carry the name of Christ that we must contribute in selflessness. This is our call, and indeed we have a great example.

Caprock Canyon Hiking Trip

Today was a very tiring but good day. I took a hiking trip to Caprock Canyon, a little north of Lubbock, and we hiked six miles. Half of it was up hill to the ridge, and the other half was downhill. I am beginning to think that the downhill part was the toughest. We stopped and had lunch in a fern cave as well. It was incredible to experience God's creation in such a unique way. Here are some pictures from the day.

Psalm 23: God Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23: God Is My Shepherd

What do we mean when we refer to God as a shepherd? Psalm 23, written by David, gives us a glimpse of what this truly means.

Psalm 23

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness^[b]
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely^[d] goodness and mercy^[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^[f] in the house of the Lord
    forever.^[g]

We Desire Nothing Else because Jesus Is all Satisfying (vv. 1-2)

            In this world overrun with technology, it is easy to desire things other than God, but the fact is that Jesus is better, and we do not have to desire anything else. He will provide everything we need. As Jesus himself said, if God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, how much more will he care for us, his children?

The Lord Leads Us (v. 3)

            The ultimate guide is God himself. He leads us just as a shepherd leads his flock. There is an implication here, namely that we, as his flock, must trust him. In order for him to lead effectively, we must follow where he goes.

The Lord Protects Us (vv. 4-5)

            Our source of protection is not the government, but rather it is God himself. If God is for us, who can be against us? This is a rhetorical question, and the answer is a resounding “no one!” God is our protector, and for that reason, we can have no better protector. The psalmist says that he does not fear even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death. It does not get much more frightening than that, but God protects him. He protects us as well.

God Actively Pursues Us (v. 6)

            The Hebrew word for follow in this passage is radaf. It is a military term that means to actively pursue with passion. God is jealous for us and for our worship, and for that reason, he pursues us with his love and kindness. This is what a shepherd does for his sheep. God is our shepherd in this case, and he actively pursues us.