1 Peter 1:13-25 ESV: Living as Exiles
The Mindset of an Exile
<sup>13</sup> 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.
In this passage, Peter urges believers to prepare their minds for action and to be sober-minded. This mindset is crucial for living as exiles in a foreign land.
The Hope of Our Salvation
<sup>13b</sup> As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
As believers, we are called to be obedient children, no longer conformed to the ways of our former ignorance. Our hope is set on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Pursuit of Holiness
<sup>14-15</sup> but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
We are called to pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives, just as our heavenly Father is holy. This pursuit of holiness is not only a command, but also a natural response to our salvation.
The Fear of the Lord
<sup>17-19</sup> And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
We are called to live with a deep reverence for the Lord, recognizing that He judges impartially according to each one's deeds. This fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment, but rather a deep respect and awe for our heavenly Father.
The Blood of Christ
<sup>18b-19</sup> ...but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
The blood of Christ is the ransom that has set us free from the futile ways of our forefathers. This blood is precious, and it is the very foundation of our salvation.
The Prophecy of Scripture
<sup>20-21</sup> He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The prophecy of Scripture was fulfilled in the manifestation of Jesus Christ, who was foreknown before the foundation of the world. Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him glory.
The Imperishable Seed
<sup>22-23</sup> Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly, from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
We have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable. This new birth is a result of our obedience to the truth, and it is marked by a sincere brotherly love for one another.
The Living and Abiding Word
<sup>24-25</sup> For "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
The living and abiding word of God is the source of our new birth. It is this word that remains forever, while all flesh withers and falls.
