Grace for the Pilgrimage of Life
1 Peter 1:1-9: 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7. that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8. whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
- receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls.
We have all heard many sermons preached using this text. It really hit home with me recently with stress at my job, constant coworker complaints, backbiting and gossip.I really begin to see, what these verses were saying.
God chose each of us before time began to be His Child. That is a comforting thought to me, that God knew me long before I came into existence and knew that I would choose to follow Him! He also knew the path I would inevitably take and what I would go through to reach the place I am in now. If I had been more mature in my earlier life, I might have reached this place earlier but I wasn’t and didn’t and yet, God still loves me and has a plan for me. Once I reached this place and time, it is up to me to continue in the path God has always had for me. Now that I can see it, it is up to me to be obedient and walk in it. It is the same for each of you, Ladies. That is what being the “elect” means.
Also, let’s stop and look at the word pilgrim. I looked this word up in the New Riverside Webster II Dictionary. Pilgrim was defined as someone who went on a pilgrimage! A pilgrimage is a long journey with a purpose. My definition of pilgrim, therefore, is someone who goes on a long journey with a purpose. That is what our life is, a long journey with a purpose. The only way we can find out that purpose is through Jesus Christ the Lord. Peter goes on to tell us that we are kept in the pilgrimage of life through the blood of Jesus. We are sanctified and washed in His blood. That is how we are his begotten children.
My question to you today is this. Where are you in your pilgrimage? Are you seeking the Lord with all your heart and His will in your life or are you stumbling through life daily? Peter sends the greeting of “grace to you and peace be multiplied” Often times
we don’t really know what that means. We are daily the recipient’s of God’s Grace.
That is what keeps us daily. As I said earlier, you cannot stand still in God. God does not stand still and neither should we. As we move forward in this pilgrimage, we will face many things, good and bad. It is the multiplied peace of God in our lives that takes us through it.
It is also our faith in God and His Word that will get us through this pilgrimage of life.
I want to close with this version of 1 Peter 1:5.
-- Living Bible
1 Peter 1:5 And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see.
God in His mighty power will make sue you get there safely! Because you are trusting in Him! “Are trusting” is a continuous act. It is not stationary. “Are trusting” implies that it is something you are constantly doing! And because you do it God will see you through to the end! Amen.
Lord, I pray for grace and peace to be multiplied to each lady today. Lord, we are trusting you to see us through to the end of our pilgrimage. We are trusting you to guide us daily, strengthen us daily. Your Word says we have not because we ask not. Father, I am asking for you to open our eyes, give us knowledge and understanding. Show us the paths we are to take and give us the strength to reach it. Thank you for your Goodness and Mercy. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.