Peter’s Keys To Keeping our Faith During Trials.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth *1 Peter 1:13-17

The epistle (or letter) of 1st Peter was written by the apostle Peter *1 Peter 1:1. It is believed to have been written after the prison epistles of Paul (about A.D. 65) and was meant to be a circulating letter. Peter is believed to have been martyred by the emperor Nero in A.D 67.

The letter was written to Christians who were suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus * 1 Peter 1:6,7.

The keywords in the text are…
-Conduct/behavior- 7 times.
-Faith- 11 times
-Holy- 11 times
-Good (meaning morally good)- 13 times
-Suffering- 16 times.

Therefore a thematic statement could be formulated from these keywords. “Make sure your conduct remains holy and good while you are suffering for the faith .”

How were the Christians in Peter’s day able to accomplish this? First of all, they had the full power of the Godhead supporting them. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit * 1 Peter 1:2. Second, they had God’s word to guide them * 1 Peter 1:23-25. Third, they were to love and support one another * 1 Peter 1:22.

Peter instructed them, (using imperatives or commands), on the keys of how to suffer for the faith patiently in 1 Peter 1:13-17. They were to remain focused on Jesus. They were to be obedient to God’s word. They were to be holy as God is holy. They were to fear God (not the Roman army). And they were to fervently love one another.

And so must we.

Let’s fix our eyes completely on Jesus today. Let’s walk in His word. And let’s not allow anything to cause us to look away from our hope.

God bless you

Jerry Groves D.Min.