Live in Fear

Introduction

When you think about fear, what comes to mind? Often we associate fear with words like scared, frightened, or afraid. The Oxford dictionary defines fear as "an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat." The Bible conveys the same, in some areas. However, when pertaining to fearing God, there is a duality of meaning--fear and reverence. In today's teaching, I will talk about this fear of God because it is important to understand what the apostle is instructing on living in fear as exiles and why we should have that attitude while living in the world.

Review:

hope in Christ coming

devote themselves (ourselves) to holiness (a key is self-control)

live in fear

1 Peter 1:17–21 ESV

17 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, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 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.

What does God say?

Verse 17

“if you call on him as Father”— on the condition your in right relationship with Him as his child

“judges impartially according to each one’s deeds”— The Father judges fairly according to the deed’s. Also a statement that he judges which is the idea that carries the remaining verses

“conduct yourselves with fear”— reverential fear (respect and fear) “There is a kind of fear that does not contradict confidence. A confident driver also possesses a healthy fear of an accident that prevents him from doing anything foolish. A genuine fear of judgment hinders believers from giving in to libertinism.”

Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 81.

“through out the time of your exile”— conveys the idea that we do not belong to this world and our inheritance is not here. It is in heaven

Verses 18-19

“knowing that you were ransomed”— beginning of the reason why they should conduct themselves with fear. Ransom or redeemed conveys the idea of liberation or freedom

“futile ways inherited from forefathers”— Peter is beginning to use traditions of men, which include worship of false gods, to talk about the life believers were liberated from. The life of an unbelievers is futile, empty, and devoted to false gods. The ways or conduct inherited from forefathers (ancestors) are traditions and worship of false gods. Romans 1:21-25

Romans 1:21–25 LEB

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings and birds and quadrupeds and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to immorality, that their bodies would be dishonored among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for eternity. Amen.

“not with perishable things such as silver and gold”— first, what liberated us is not perishable. Second, the silver and gold that is perishable, are objects used to fashion idols in the OT. Deut 29:17

Deuteronomy 29:17 LEB

17 And you have seen their detestable things and their idols of wood and stone, silver, and gold that were among them,

“precious blood of Christ”— valued blood of Jesus liberated them. Why use precious? Because there is value mentioned in the items that did not liberate them but led into idolatry.

“like that of a lamb without blemish or spot”— Peter references the instructions given for the Passover. Exodus 12:5

Exodus 12:5 LEB

5 The lamb for you must be a male, without defect, in its first year; you will take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Verses 20-21:

“foreknown before the foundations of the world. . . made manifest in last times for your sake”— does not convey being chosen but God’s plan for redemption. Jesus was revealed in the last times does not convey His second coming but the first. And it was for the sake of the believer.

“who through Him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your hope and faith are in God”— become believers in God through Christ, whom God raised from the dead, gave Him glory by seating Him at His right hand, so their hope and faith (trust) are in God

What do we do?

God has to be prized over all things

Reflect on His glory and goodness