former has to do with mental dis cipline, while the latter shows the need for discipline in the outward life. So many times our minds drift around trying to find some abso lutes. Our only hope must be per fectly set in Jesus Christ instead. So many times we are content to have a partial hope while at the same time worried about how oth er things will turn out. This hope will be realized in the future when Jesus Christ Himself is seen by all mankind. Paul pointed out this same truth when he told the Roman Christians not to look to the present in order to find their fulfillment as the sons of God. In the future all creation groans in travail waiting for the redemption which will reveal the Lord's eter nal purpose. Secondly Peter demands that be lievers should have an exalted kind of life (vrs. 14-16). Obedience is again the key! Do we desire what the Word of Cod says? Do we be have in light of these truths? We are not to allow our lives to be fashioned according to our former lusts. We have no business living like we were before Christ entered our lives in regeneration. Cod's command is that we should be holy individuals. In Rom. 8 we see that we are called (or predestined) to be conformed to the image of Cod's Son. You see, the standard is to be God's character itself. We are to be holy in all conversation or manner of life which is the better translation. The testimony is, "Ye shall be holy, for I am holy." Peter quotes from Leviticus. Verses 17 to 21 give us a third command which has to do with an enlightened walk. We are to call on Him as Father, who judges with- Page 13
positive effect strengthening our faith. The analogy of metal is used. Faith is more enduring than any gold that would perish. There is a future day of revelation as we read in I John 3:1-3. The second Person of the God head is also involved in this work of salvation (1:8-10). Here we see the worthiness of the Son and of our love and faith for Him. This is the basis of joy for the Christian life. Christ is worthy of one's hope (9-10). This salvation had been earnestly sought out by the proph ets. They tried to determine what the full picture was, but were not given the complete revelation as we are privileged to have. Consid ering the worthiness of the Son we find a trilogy of eternal truths: love, faith, and hope. Peter points out that each one of them will abide. Then we are allowed to see the witness of the Spirit, the third member of the Godhead. He, too, is our salvation. The Spirit of Cod was the One who instructed the human authors. We see here some thing of the blessings of God in His call to salvation. Father, Son and Holy Spirit all took part in this great eternal work for our eternal benefit. Have you ever wondered why it is some people make a profession of faith and yet never seem to have a life that goes along with it? This is discussed in I Peter 1:13-25. There are four things Peter notes in this passage dealing with God's call to salvation. First of all we should have an expectant hope in the Saviour. To make this possible there must be some kind of discipline in the life. This requires girding up the loins of our minds and being sober. The
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