1 Peter 1:17-23 (NRSV)
Read 1 Peter 1:17-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. Verse 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, Verse 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. Verse 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Verse 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Verse 22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. Verse 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
Devotion
The epistle says, “have sincere love for your brothers…from the heart” (v. 22, NIV). While in Iraq, there were 10 soldiers who traveled with me. Their job was to get me safely to and from the multiple locations I served as chaplain. The bond I feel with these brothers is, shall we say, “from the heart.” I knew in the end we would lay down our lives for each other.
Peter wants to know, “How are your traveling companions?” The truth about Jesus comes into our lives with a purpose, “so that we have sincere love for our brothers.” The born-again person we become with Christ in our life sets about the task of loving others from the heart. We stand in the midst of our companion’s chaos and their victories stating, “I’ve got your back. You are going to be OK. How can I help?” So, how is your heart?
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you have redeemed us with a purpose. Thank you for purifying us with your truth so that we might love others deeply from the heart. Your own precious blood has redeemed us and we are grateful. Amen.