1 Peter 1:3-5 As the salvation of the world hinges on Christ, the salvation of your community hinges on you
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Background
Jesus took it upon himself to die, to put an end to the Law. And through His resurrection, salvation may come to the world. Likewise, unless we take it upon ourselves to die, to put an end to the Law and live to Christ, there will be no salvation for our community. Indeed, the Law cannot transform, it only evokes fear and regret. Therefore, followers of Christ must learn to forgive and walk with those who wronged us. Today’s devotion reminds us: As the salvation of the world hinges on Christ, the salvation of your community hinges on you.
Observation
Here, Peter emphasizes the inheritance that God has prepared for His followers. This inheritance encompasses the promise of new heavens and new earth characterized by righteousness. Currently, the earth and the heavens are plagued by perpetual wars and reckless exploitation of natural resources. This leads to desolation of planets and planetary systems inflicting immense suffering throughout creation. However, through His divine power, God will rejuvenate the heavens and the earth to eradicate all suffering, sorrow or sin. This is a living and ever expanding hope for the followers of Christ.
How does God realize this vision? After all, evil has prevailed for trillions of years? By leaving the first principle of governance, which is the Law. This approach penalizes evil while rewarding the good. As this has proven ineffective, a new way of governance is necessary. One that regenerates the spirit, soul and body of all living beings in alignment with the image of the resurrected Jesus Christ.
How was the universe created and how was it governed? The bible says,
Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:15-17
In the above text, Paul explains that in the beginning, all things were created from the image and ideals of Jesus referred to as “the firstborn of all creation”. Even the Law was founded by Him as indicated by the phrase “and in Him all things hold together.” Simply put, Jesus embodies the Law from the very outset, as the bible says, “Jesus was born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4).
To initiate a transformation in creation and its governance, it was necessary for Jesus, the firstborn of all creation, to undergo transformation Himself. Since the Law began with Jesus, it has to end with Jesus. Hence, this transformation was achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death led to the abolishment of the law as the first governing principle. His resurrection marked the inception of grace or the New Covenant as the means of transformation. As Christ is the image of creation, His death brought an end to the old creation. Conversely, His resurrection enabled the emergence of the new creation. Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection serves as the pivot that regenerates creation towards salvation.
Truth
As the salvation of the world hinges on Christ, the salvation of your community hinges on you.
Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection serves as the pivot that regenerates creation towards salvation. But if Christ stuck with the Law and looked out only for himself, then there will be no salvation for the world.
Similarly, if you look out only for yourself, then there will be no salvation for your community. You can save your community by being born again; this involves dying to the Law and embracing the New Covenant mentality. Without this shift, Christ’s death and resurrection brings nothing to you and your community remains barren. Following His resurrection, He began His transforming work by healing and walking with humanity. Under the Law, God remained distant, observing human behavior from afar and administering rewards and punishments accordingly. Now, God is no longer distant; He walks alongside individuals providing comfort and guidance through New Covenant believers like yourself.
Through New Covenant believers, God is no longer reliant on the law, but is actively and personally involved with each person on a daily basis. As the salvation of the world hinges on Christ, the salvation of your community hinges on you. It is only through your personal and intimate involvement that the community can flourish and be saved.
Despite betrayals and unjust treatment, why did Jesus and His followers take it upon themselves to save humanity? Because they care and that the salvation of the world hinges on them. Do you care?
Application
Forgive the people who betrayed you and continue to look out for them, for you will be called the sons of God (see Matthew 5:9).
Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you for sacrificing your life for me. I will likewise sacrifice my life for my community. I choose to forgive those who did harm to me and to look out for them, hoping for their salvation. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.