1 PETER 1:1–2 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

THEME OF THE DAY: THREE KEY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. In his excellent book of sanctification, Devoted to God, Sinclair Ferguson offers us the three key and guiding principles to live the Christian life as God intends for His children. I don’t think it is an overstatement to say, “If these renew our minds, grip our hearts, and move our wills, we will truly discover the power and simplicity of the Christian life and our walks with the Lord Jesus.”

Ferguson writes, “As you face life with all its trials do not lose sight of who you are and what you are for. Be clear about this and you will make progress. Forget this and you will flounder and fall. The reason? Knowing (1) whose you are, (2) who you are, and (3) what you are for, settles basic issues about how you live.” So, let’s break them down in more detail and ask the Lord to help us grasp the significant impact such truth will have in our spiritual lives.

First – whose we are. We are God’s possession, bought by the blood of the Lord Jesus for His purposes – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Friends, our biggest challenge in the Christian life is the constant pull of our remaining sin toward selfishness. We must grasp that we died with Christ, rose with Christ to no longer walk in the will and desires of ourselves. The greatest freedom we enjoy as believers is the freedom from the bondage of our selfishness. Remember, we are not our own! Such remembrance will empower us to live for Christ and others, bringing greater joy into our lives.

Next – who we are. We are God’s adopted children – He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6). Pause right now, look to heaven, and pray, “Father” and that is all. No petitions. Nothing. One word prayer – “Father.” What a staggering truth and experience. The Creator is our Father and even more staggering is He delights in being our Father; a delight that causes Him to rejoice over us – The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

The third principle to remember and apply in our thinking and lives – what we are for. The answer is simple – we exist for the will of God in proclaiming the Gospel and growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Peter 3:18). What an exciting life we are to live as Christians; to proclaim the Gospel, praying others would become Christians and seeking to know more and more of the Lord Jesus to grow deeper in love with Him and conformity to Him.

So think often on these principles – whose we are, who we are and what we are for. Such thinking will ensure our Christian lives are defined by the Bible, not our own understanding or culture.

PRAYER: “Father, grant me a deeper spiritual understanding of whose I am, who I am, and what I am for.”
QUOTE: “To know we are owned by the Father, and have our identity as His children establishes what we are to live for.”

Because of Him,
Pastor Jim