Unaware that we would soon lose many of our normal ways of doing Christian life together, last February and March we spent six weeks, prior to the shutdown, studying a letter addressed to the “exiles scattered throughout the provinces” (1 Peter 1:1). How fitting it seems now.
In that letter, Peter compared their situation to exile (1:17) and reminded believers to live holy, standout lives that shine in the darkness (1:16-17; 2:9-12). He wrote about being grieved by various trials that test the genuineness of faith (1:6-7); about the church as a “spiritual house” (2:5); about our relationship to government and what it means to live as free people (2:13-17); about the close quarters of home and the call to be understanding and respectful in marriage (3:1-7); about suffering and the Christian response to insults (3-4); about the responsibility of elders/shepherds and the humble submission of the congregation/flock (5:1-5); about casting our anxieties on God (5:7); and about having a reason to hope (1:13, 3:15, 5:10-11). So relevant.
As I re-read the letter this week, one verse stood out as especially timely: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). Our present experience (though it seems like forever!) is temporary, and so the mind of a Christian looks beyond what is to what will be. Secondly, the mind of a Christian needs to be ready to act. Literally, Peter says to “gird up the loins of your mind,” an expression similar to our own “roll up your sleeves.” Clear your mind of distraction and focus on God’s call to action.
The Covid-19 disruption has not stopped the church from being the church, but it has slowed or paused many of the normal ways we have always done things. So, we could just wait until normal is possible, or we could give fresh thought to what it means to follow Jesus now. Each of us have received a gift to use for service, and God has called us to be good stewards of such gifts (4:10-11). How do you intend to live and work for God’s glory as we move forward?
Dear Exiles
Unaware that we would soon lose many of our normal ways of doing Christian life together, last February and March we spent six weeks, prior to the shutdown, studying a letter addressed to the “exiles scattered throughout the provinces” (1 Peter 1:1). How fitting it seems now.
In that letter, Peter compared their situation to exile (1:17) and reminded believers to live holy, standout lives that shine in the darkness (1:16-17; 2:9-12). He wrote about being grieved by various trials that test the genuineness of faith (1:6-7); about the church as a “spiritual house” (2:5); about our relationship to government and what it means to live as free people (2:13-17); about the close quarters of home and the call to be understanding and respectful in marriage (3:1-7); about suffering and the Christian response to insults (3-4); about the responsibility of elders/shepherds and the humble submission of the congregation/flock (5:1-5); about casting our anxieties on God (5:7); and about having a reason to hope (1:13, 3:15, 5:10-11). So relevant.
As I re-read the letter this week, one verse stood out as especially timely: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). Our present experience (though it seems like forever!) is temporary, and so the mind of a Christian looks beyond what is to what will be. Secondly, the mind of a Christian needs to be ready to act. Literally, Peter says to “gird up the loins of your mind,” an expression similar to our own “roll up your sleeves.” Clear your mind of distraction and focus on God’s call to action.
The Covid-19 disruption has not stopped the church from being the church, but it has slowed or paused many of the normal ways we have always done things. So, we could just wait until normal is possible, or we could give fresh thought to what it means to follow Jesus now. Each of us have received a gift to use for service, and God has called us to be good stewards of such gifts (4:10-11). How do you intend to live and work for God’s glory as we move forward?