Hi @heartathome , @DownMoreThanUp , @Appleblossom , @ENKELI , @Shaz51 , @tyme , @REDLINEZ750 , @MissGremlin ,
I Peter
I Peter 1
- From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
- To scattered Christians.
- According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.
- Grace and peace.
- Praise to God. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death He has given us new life, a living hope and an imperishable inheritance, kept in heaven for you.
- Being guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
- You rejoice in this even though now for a little while you have various trials.
- So that the proven character of your faith may result in praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
- Prophets longed for a glimpse of these things.
- Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- As the one who called you is holy, you also be holy in all conduct.
- If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially, conduct yourselves in reverence during your time here as strangers - for you have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.
- SInce you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly because you have been born again, through the living and enduring word of God.
I Peter 2
- Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.
- Desire the pure milk of the Word.
- As you come to Him, a living stone - rejected by people but chosen and honoured by God - you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.
- Submit to every human authority.
- Silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
- Show respect to all men.
- Love the brothers and sisters.
- Fear God.
- Slaves, submit to your masters.
- Called to suffering (despite doing good), because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.
- Jesus' sacrificial example.
- For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I Peter 3
- Wives submit yourselves to your husbands - the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
- Husbands - live with your wives in an understanding way.
- All of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another and be compassionate and humble.
- Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Keep your tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit.
- The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer.
- Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
- But even if you do suffer for righteousness, you are blessed - remember Christ.
I Peter 4
- Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same understanding - because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin - ... but lives for God's will.
- The end of all things is near; therefore be alert and sober-minded for prayer.
- Maintain constant love for one another - love covers a multitude of sins.
- Be hospitable.
- Speak with God's words; serve with the strength God provides - so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.
- Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something strange were happening to you.
- Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.
- Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.
I Peter 5
- Elders - Shepherd God's flock eagerly being examples to the flock.
- Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
- Cast all your cares on God.
- Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
- Resist him, firm in the faith.
- The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.
- To God be dominion forever. Amen.
- Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
To scattered Christians experiencing various trials. Suffering gets many references. In Chapter One, Peter always lands on end times (heaven, last time, revelation of Jesus Christ, salvation of your souls) as the time of reward. Jesus has given us given us a "new life, a living hope and an imperishable inheritance, kept in heaven for you" - it will be worth the wait!
