Peter encouraged us to “be holy in all you do; for it is written ‘Be holy, because I am holy’.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) How on earth can we ever hope to fulfill this calling? The answer is in the next verse.
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear” (1 Peter 1:17)
- God is not only our Father in heaven.
- The emphasis here is that God is the Father of Jesus; Jesus is the Son of God.1
- God does not show favoritism.
- He loves each of us equally.
- Therefore, we call on Him to help us live a holy life.
- We call on Him with reverent fear.
A pastor2 once defined fear of God as
*believing He exists.
*believing He is in charge.
*believing He has a plan.
We can turn our reverent fear of God into a prayer:3
*You are here.
*You are in control.
*You have a plan.
What does it mean to you to be holy?
How have you experienced God’s impartial love?
How can calling on God help us live a more holy life?
When have you called on God with reverent fear?
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
- We have received the gift of Redemption from bondage.4
- We are free from an empty life of walking in idolatry.5
- Jesus’ sacrifice to purchase our redemption was perfect.
- When He comes again, He will bring salvation, which is what we read earlier in the first part of Peter’s letter.
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. … Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:12, 28).
How does the empty life we lived before claiming our redemption result in idolatry?
How does the salvation Jesus will bring in the future give us hope today?
“He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20).
God openly showed us all His plan.
He planned ahead of time, before the creation of the world, that Jesus would provide this perfect sacrifice.
Some translations use the word “foundation” to describe creation in verse 20.
Consider these points that build a strong foundation for our eternal salvation. 
GOD
- chose Jesus
- revealed the mystery of His plan for our salvation
- raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him.
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Based on these building blocks and strong foundation,
our faith and hope are in GOD.
Why is God’s strong foundation an important part of our salvation?
How does God’s foundation strengthen our hope?
1 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 1129.
2 Matt Hannan
3 Bethany Mueler, March 21, 2023
4 Zodhiates, 931.
5 Zodhiates, 948.