Peter the Trailblazer

1 Peter 4:1-11

¹ So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. ² You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. ³ You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

⁴ Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. ⁵ But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. ⁶ That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

⁷ The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. ⁸ Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

I love how encouraging Peter is toward the end of this passage. A seasoned veteran having walked with Jesus, Peter had some highs and some pretty major lows. He had experienced firsthand God’s love, despite his failings – and I wonder if that was on his mind when he said, “Love makes up for practically anything” (see verse 8 The Message). Peter experienced this amazing love firsthand.

I can picture Peter speaking to a huge crowd at Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit came in a rushing wind and tongues of fire (see Act 2:1-41), full of faith and power – feeling the weight, mixed with the joy of speaking for God. I wonder if he was blown away to be chosen. And so, Peter encourages us to “speak as though God were speaking his words through you” (see verse 11 TPT). He encourages us to step out in faith and speak – we are so loved!

Lord, thanks for the trailblazers like Peter who remind me I can be loved by you, despite my shortcomings. Thanks for calling me to speak. Speak your words through me, Lord – I’m all yours.

Amen

Written by B van Noppen