Analysis and Personal Applications of 1 Peter 1
It’s been a long time since I have dissected an entire book of the Bible. In admitting this, I figure going through chapter by chapter is the best way to absorb and apply the message of this letter written by Peter. I will give my best interpretation of what I think it means, but I am in no way an expert or scholar on any book (in the Bible or not) as I could barely get through 200 pages of Game of Thrones, which I consider to be one of my favorite shows. So bear with me and feel free to give any further insight on points I may have missed. Thank you.
So here we go.
To me, one of the first things that stands out (and for various scholars who have dissected this book word by word and given sermons on the first two lines alone) is his speaking about an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—an inheritance being a place in His Kingdom that has been promised to those who believe. It is good to know that even after being distant for a few years and hardly calling myself ‘religious’ despite believing that I knew there was a one true God, that I haven’t lost my spot in line. I believe this has to do with the fact that God is not limited by Time. He knows everything that has ever happened, is happening, and ever will happen. If you want my piece on predetermination vs free will, then ask. I have all kinds of crazy ideas on how it works, but I believe that both can indeed coexist in this universe. For myself, I think God knew that I would walk away from Him for a while, be mad at Him, and walk my own path for a while, but I think a lot (if not all) people do that at one point in their lives. It doesn’t always happen because we want it to happen, it just happens. Sometimes we right the ship and sometimes we don’t. In my case, I think I’m in the process of righting that ship and getting back on course. He mentions in verse six that “now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials,” and I believe that is where I’m at now. Suffering the hardest of hardships I have ever experienced. I had a weird thought earlier today. If a close friend wanted space from me for a little while, I’d be like, “But why? Did I say or do something wrong? What did I do to make you feel this way?” It’s hard to give space to people you like, especially when you’re close to them. I’d try my best to give it to them, but I’d definitely still try to keep contact when I could and give them little reminders that I’m still there and wanting to work it out. Is this any different than how I’ve treated God since a few years ago? One week is a long time to me, but I’m sure you can imagine wanting to reunite and reconnect, maybe even start over, with someone from years past. I think that’s how God feels about those who have walked with him and left Him hanging. I didn’t realize that until today.
However, verse 7 goes on to say that “These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Well that’s nice to hear, too bad it is completely devastating feeling like you’re alone in the toughest of times just wishing you could get things back to the way they were. Except, as one of the biggest clichés of all says, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I guess. But wouldn’t just being so close to the trial (but not experiencing it) suffice? I surely wish it did. But that wasn’t the case for me. I flirted with the edge of this trial a couple times with my drinking. I was given several warnings, and I mean obvious, slap-you-in-the-face warnings. And I thought I had learned the lesson that was meant to be given. But I didn’t, and now I’m paying the hardest price. I missed the chance to sell high, and now I have to wait for the price to rise again to salvage the situation. The truth is, it’s only through these trials that we can make real, genuine change. Sometimes we say things and think we mean them, but sometimes it takes going through these horrifying trials to reap the reward at the end.
Skipping ahead to verse 13, Peter writes, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” Who knows when his coming will be revealed—but why wait? Apply this to the present time; set your hope on the grace to be brought when your trial is over because when it is, that is when you will know grace. That’s what I’m waiting for, praying for, begging for. Verse 18 continues by saying “…live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” To tell you the truth, I have not been more afraid—terrified in fact—of the situation haunting my mind and depriving me of sleep. I fully know the fear that is mentioned and I know that this fear alone will help keep me from making mistakes I’ve made in the past. As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, my promise-making capabilities have been tainted, but I hope you believe me when I say that I would do anything to reverse some of the mistakes I’ve made in the past.
I think I will conclude my analysis of chapter 1 here. I feel like I’m depressing my readership. However, I hope that my suffering can serve as a warning to those struggling with something in their life. Don’t let it linger any longer, confront it and make efforts to erase it and move on especially if it affects other people. I have hope for you, just like Peter had hope for those he wrote to. I want you to see the trap before it springs. I want hope too, and I’m trying. I just wish I’d acted like I urge you to do so. To give a few closing clichés, remember that actions speak louder than words, words are cheap, and don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today. Hope you have all had a good day.
Until the morning,
Spencer
Spencer Vaishville 