September 30 | 1 Peter 1:20-25

Sep 30

2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

How Should We Then Live?

By Terry Gustafson

Francis A. Schaeffer wrote a book (1976) and produced a film series (1977) with the title How Should We Then Live? The title is taken from Ezekiel 33:10 (KJV). That question has stuck with me for the last fifty years. How should we as Christians live in this world? In 1 Peter, Peter provides a framework for living a Christian life, regardless of the circumstances.

Peter has reminded his readers that they are citizens of another place, foreigners (NIV) and exiles (ESV) in this world (v. 17). Because of that they are to live their lives with the privileges and responsibilities of their true citizenship in the kingdom of God. He also reminds them that they are a part of a plan that was known by God and set in place before the creation of the world (v. 20). The OT prophets predicted that Christ would suffer and be glorified (v. 10-11). And that was fulfilled and documented in the NT. One plan recorded in one book with two chapters.

In these few verses, Peter points to a several key ways for how we can think about the way we can live a life in Christ for Christ.

Forgiveness. In the OT, animal sacrifices were required to atone for sins (e.g., Exodus 12). But Christ redeemed us once for all by His sacrifice on the cross (v. 18-20). In theology, we use the term justification to refer to Christ’s finished work on the cross. Because we are redeemed we have forgiveness for our sins and are justified in God’s sight. We can live in God’s forgiveness and share it with others.
Love. Our response to the forgiveness that we have in Christ is to “love one another deeply” (v. 22). Love is key to the moment-by-moment living out of our faith, the process of sanctification. God loved us so much that He gave us His only son (John 3:16) and we are to reflect that love to others.
Hope. We use the word hope in so many ways. But Peter is explicit in designating that our hope is in God alone (v.21). Our salvation has glorification as the end result. That is what we look forward to with godly hope.

While there is no magic bullet about how to make the day-to-day decisions in our Christian walk, Peter reminds us that we can deal with the past with forgiveness, the present with love, and the future with hope.

PRAYER

Repeat the following breath prayer throughout the day:

(Inhale) Jesus, our sacrifice

(Exhale) May we live this day in Your forgiveness, love, and hope

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TERRY GUSTAFSON

My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 14 years. We have two grown daughters and one grandchild. I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship.