In God’s great salvation we have a promised inheritance of • Eternal (imperishable, undefiled, unfading) • Life (born again to a living hope, secured by Christ’s resurrection) • With God (kept in heaven, God’s realm)

Our Promised Inheritance: Because of the hope of eternal life, we rejoice, even in suffering. “The glory will be greater than our suffering.” Because of the hope of eternal life, we live holy lives. “Our lives are transformed from futility to holiness.”

1 Peter 1:13-20 – Called to Be Holy v. 13. “Therefore” – The grace of God has come to us; our lives are transformed. God’s commands are always rooted in his grace.

1. Set your hope completely on Jesus Christ (13), We have received grace upon grace from Jesus – forgiveness, reconciliation with God, removal of our sin, new life, rescued from the dominion darkness…. When he comes again, it will be with more grace to complete our sanctification.

a. By changing your thinking (13) We have to think differently about what is important, what we value.

We can waste our lives living like the world. Or we can live fruitful lives of holiness like our heavenly Father.

1. Devote yourself to holiness (14-16). Do not give in to former passions v. 14. “Children”- We have become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are a new people, with a new relationship with our Father. With renewed minds, set on holiness instead of sin.

v. 15. God is holy, so we shall be holy. The Christian life is not passive. Sinful desires still beckon and tempt us to depart from God. Relying on God’s strength, we must choose what is pleasing to God over sin. Contrast: vv. 14-15. We are children of God, called to be holy like our Father. Vs. 18 You inherited from (pagan) forefathers futile (useless) way of life. We are to change from old passions to new thinking and living in holiness.

We are exiles, a people of God, called to separate ourselves from the evil desires of the world and live in a way that pleases God.

1. Live in reverent fear of God (17) v. 17. Peter mingles God’s role as our Father, but also as the Judge of all mankind. He is both, our perfectly loving Father and a just Judge.

We live holy lives to please God as our Father. We live holy lives because we respect God as Judge.

God will judge everyone’s works; for believers, it will be for reward. “Throughout the time of your exile” - We don’t belong here, won’t be here long.

v. 18. a. Because we were redeemed by Christ’s precious blood (18-19) Jesus paid the price for our new life with the price of his own.

“like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Jesus’ death was like… • The Passover Lamb (Ex 12) whose blood spares others from the wrath of God, • The Suffering Servant (Isa 53) who was led to the slaughter and bore the sins of many, and • The spotless lambs whose death takes away sin. These were a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. His death is greater and completes them all.

a. His atoning work was destined by God for us before history began (20) “foreknown” God planned to redeem us before the creation of the world. Jesus lived with the Father and Spirit for all eternity past. Jesus was revealed for your sake in this time.