1 Peter Devotional | Week 5: May 23 - 27

Read 1 Peter 1:22-25.

• V22: There is only one command (called an imperative) in these verses–what is it?
  • Who is the command directed towards?
• Make a list of the other statements in V 22-23 (called indicatives) surrounding that one command.
  • V22: What are the means by which their souls have been purified?
  • V 23: What are the means by which they have been born again?
• V24: What is flesh (humanity) compared to? How does Peter describe their end(s)?
• V23-24: What words are used to describe the Word of God? How does this contrast to humanity?

Pray today in praise and adoration for the Word God has given us that is imperishable, does not change, and remains trustworthy forever.

Read 1 Peter 1:22-25 again. Let’s look at the nature of the command to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”

• V22: What does Peter say has already happened to them?
  • Refer back to 1 Peter 1:2 when Peter first spoke of obedience to Jesus Christ/the truth. He appears to be referring to a one time event → how does this help you understand what he is alluding to?
• V23: What does Peter say has already happened to them here?
  • V25: How did they hear the good news of the word of God?
  • What connection does this show between God’s word and being born again (salvation)?
• After considering these connections, what does Peter’s command tell us about our response to and result of our salvation? How does this challenge you?

Pray today in supplication, asking the Lord to help you discover the joy in obedience that comes by living according to God’s Word.

Read 1 Peter 1:22-25 again. Peter’s command for his people to love each other from a pure heart is reflected elsewhere in Scripture by various authors. Let’s look at a few examples to help us understand:

• Read Romans 12:1-13 → How does this passage describe the kind of love that marks a true Christian? How does this connect to the love spoken of in 1 Peter 1:22-23?
• Read 1 John 1:7-21 → How does John connect love with evidence of salvation? How do we know what love is? How does this add to or challenge your understanding of love? 
• Read John 13:34-35 → What does Jesus point to as the motivation for love? for evidence of true discipleship?

Pray today in confession and repentance for the ways that you have not loved others as God has loved you. Ask Him to grant you a greater understanding of His deep love for you, that would stir in you a love for those around you.

Read 1 Peter 1:22-25 again. In V24, Peter is quoting Isaiah 40 which emphasizes that no nation, regardless of its strength, can thwart or disrupt God’s promises to His people. Take some time to reflect on the following promises of God, and pray in response to each of them – praising Him for their comfort, asking Him to help you believe them, and confessing the ways you live like they are not true.

• Isaiah 55:10-11
• Psalm 9:9-10
• Psalm 32:8
• Matthew 11:28-29
• James 4:7-8

Take some time to read through 1 Peter 1 in its entirety, remembering that this was a letter meant to be read in one sitting. Then, we’ll spend some time reflecting on what we have learned this week, and respond in prayer.

• Reflect on the gospel: Does my life reflect a response to the gospel in the way I genuinely love my brothers and sisters in Christ? 
• Reflect on my response to it: Does my life reflect one of obedience to the whole truth?
• Reflect on love: What has cooled my love for the brethren (isolation, weariness, division, etc.)? Who is one person who I can actively love from a pure heart?
• Reflect on the Word of God: Do I abide in the word of God, and treasure it as though it will last forever?