June 23. I Peter 4:1-11 GRACE LESSONS: I wonder what type of physical pain Peter is referring to in verse 1 of this chapter. If this was the time of Nero—and it was—Christians were literally being burned alive and torn apart by lions. They were enduring searing pain and this had to be heavy on Peter’s mind. At the very start of this section of the letter, we are reminded that Jesus, Son of God, because of His offering of grace to us, felt excruciating physical pain Himself. Jesus did not participate in drunken revelry and all the other immoralities listed in verses 3 and 4. Jesus lived a set apart life, doing His Father’s will and then accepting a torturous death. Peter reminds his […] Read more »

June 22. I Peter 3:13-22 GRACE LESSONS: Peter can’t seem to write more than a few sentences without returning to the central message of the gospel. In verse 18 of this passage, he reminds those currently suffering for their faith of the sufferings of Christ. “he never sinned,” says Peter, “but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.” Oh, the glorious, inexpressible richness of God’s grace toward us! OUR PASSAGE: This particular passage contains two of the most confusing verses in the entire New Testament. I Peter 3:19-20: “So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in […] Read more »

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June 21. I Peter 3:1-12 GRACE LESSONS: Peter continues to emphasize living a grace-filled life in Chapter 3. When we “give grace” to another, we are bestowing underserved pardon or favor upon them. We don’t make them earn our kindness. It’s really quite radical, isn’t it? Our human nature wants to defend ourselves, retaliate, take revenge, and hurt those who hurt us. The way of grace is much harder, as we live lovingly among the unlovely. Verse 9 is very clear. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” OUR PASSAGE: Just as slaves were welcomed as […] Read more »

June 20. I Peter 2:13-25 GRACE LESSONS: In verses 22-25, Peter recounts the ultimate example of grace given. Jesus never sinned and yet “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” (vs 24) Peter has been telling this story now for decades. He’s still obviously amazed by God’s grace shown through Jesus’ sacrifice. May we never ever tire of hearing of it and sharing it with others either. OUR PASSAGE: Peter is very clear in this passage about Christian behavior in a time of turmoil and sometimes unfair leadership authorities. Our focus should always be the sharing of the gospel. We are […] Read more »

June 19. I Peter 2:1-12 GRACE LESSONS: I love the way Peter guards God’s flock. It’s clear he cares for them. He uses Old Testament scriptures liberally in this section of his letter, reminding them of how precious they are to God. A chosen people. A royal priesthood. Even when he warns them, he does so in a gracious spirit. “Dear friends,” he says in verse 11, “I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” He pleads with them, for the sake of their souls. He’s a tender under-shepherd wanting the best for his sheep! OUR PASSAGE: Peter uses a lot of building imagery in today’s passage. He’s literally watching God build […] Read more »

June 18. I Peter 1:13-25 GRACE LESSONS: When we read verses 18-20 in this passage we are reminded in a new way of God’s grace. Peter uses the word “ransom” to describe what God paid for us. We were slaves. Incapable of freeing ourselves from sin and foolish, destructive behavior. He paid the ransom and bought us our freedom. Charles Swindoll puts it like this: “The idea of a ransom, or the price of redemption, comes from the slave market. The picture it suggests is that we were all in the slave market of sin, lost without Christ … We needed someone to pay the ransom for our souls. Christ did that on the cross with His blood. In doing so, He broke our chains […] Read more »

June 17. I Peter 1:1-12 GRACE LESSONS: Right at the beginning of his letter, Peter mentions grace. Did you notice? “May God give you more and more grace and peace,” says Peter in the last part of verse two. What a beautiful prayer for these persecuted believers. He’s asking God to give them more and more of that wondrous grace. I wonder, is it undeserved pardon for them or is He asking God to fill them more and more with grace for others? And then, of course, he also wants them filled with His peace. As Jesus reminded His disciples in John 14:27: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot […] Read more »