The Imperishable Word

The Imperishable Word calls us to Remember our Salvation ()

Explanation: As Peter winds up this first section of his letter to the exiles, he calls their focus to Jesus. Peter wants to strengthen his brothers & sisters as they undergo their trials & tribulations, and he does so by reminding them of their privilege to be on this side of the Cross. Peter wants them to remember how Jesus was manifested for their benefit and how God glorified Him by raising Him from the dead.

Argument: Life can be hard, our circumstances can be dire, and the physical outcome can be cloudy. The urge to quit, to ask, “What’s the point of faith?” can be powerful at such times. Peter was no stranger to despair and was guilty of wanting to quit. He wanted to go back to fishing when following Jesus wasn’t making sense to Him. The Risen Christ physically manifested Himself to Peter and the others (), so Peter is calling the exiled believers to Remember who they are in Christ.

Application: During the hard times, looking back to when the Savior called us out of darkness into His marvelous light is strengthening and will refresh our souls. At this time in salvation history we have the Word as the primary means of Revelation. Soaking up divine truths from the Imperishable Word will allow us to maintain our faith journey in spite of difficulties

The Imperishable Word calls us to our Responsibility to love the brethren ()

Explanation: In the NT writings a pattern exists that always places the indicative prior to the imperative. This simply means the focus is first on what God has accomplished in us by His grace (salvation), and only then are the commands of Christian living given (sanctification). Peter declares that since they are Christ-followers (they purified their souls by obedience to the Truth) they now have the responsibility to live as such. One very important result of regeneration is having an displaying a love for others.

Argument: In complete agreement with the other writers of the NT, Peter declares the love for others a primary mark of being in Christ. The Apostle John declares that having a love for others is how the lost know we belong to Jesus () and bluntly states that a person who does not love his brother is not a Christian ().

Displaying a love for others, especially when personal circumstances are challenging, is a very powerful witness. When we live a life that is impossible in human terms, God uses us to draw others to Himself. And, focusing on others will draw us out of our own discouragement

Application: Immerse yourself in the Word. Internalize and meditate on God’s love letter to us and allow the Message to penetrate our lives. As we focus and feed on His word, we are transformed by His spirit to become more like Jesus in our walk and our talk.

The imperishable Word Reminds us that which troubles us will pass ()

Explanation: Peter gives the Exiles a reason for hope by reminding them that whatever is bringing trouble and affliction will pass. Their tribulations are not forever, the persecution will end, and the pain will fade and disappear. He gives them this powerful truth by reminding them that all material things are temporary - they will come to an end. The Word of God, that which introduced them to the Savior, will never fade or lose its luster.

Argument: Determining time by our human finite minds is the one way we know. As such, the burdens of this life seem to last forever, and the pain and sorrow remains with us. The Word reminds us that this is not our Reality. As believers we are citizens of an Eternal Kingdom and this world is not all there is.

Peter reminds these troubled souls the very Word which brought them life will sustain them. It is the Word that relates to us the Eternal promises of God, it is the Word that declares to us the promise of incorruptible, glorified bodies, and it the Word that reveals a glimpse of Heaven and eternal communion with our God and Savior.

Application: Know the Promises of God found in His Word. Place these truths in your hearts so that they will sustain you in the dark night of the soul.