17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18
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, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you
have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the
heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
In the New Testament, you don't read much about a God that is full of wrath but the truth is that we should still fear God. As Peter writes here, God:
- judges each person's work impartially
- is mightier than all forces in live, including death
For these reasons - and of course other reasons - we are to, as Peter implores us, to fear God, and in so doing, live a life accordingly. In other words, live a life that it is clear we are for God. It should be so apparent that we appear as "foreigners".
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are mightier than all and I have seen Your might and ways work in my life and I am in awe. I confess also that I need You in my life desperately because I am so full of sin, including laziness, unwholesome thoughts, and disobedience. Thank You for all that You have done for me as I don't deserve it - please forgive me for my sin today and please rid me of my sin. Purify and transform my heart and my life and help me live with reverent fear of You and in so doing live a life that it is clear I am not of this world but for You - Jesus Christ.
