1 Peter 1:1b - To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…

It is sometimes said that we should read the Bible as though it were 66 love letters written from God to me. Now, I appreciate the sentiment here. After all, each book proclaims to us the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. However, these letters were not written by God only for me, nor are they only for you., but for us! As the church, we are to read, study, pray through, and believed this Word from God as one!

Peter addresses His letter to “God’s elect…scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.” In other words, this letter was written to Christians who were scattered throughout the entire Roman Empire. Basically, Peter is saying, “If you are one of God’s elect (that is, a believer in Jesus), what I am about to write is for you!” This means the apostle of Jesus believed what He had to say in this letter was a message from God himself to every church that belongs to Christ, regardless of time or location. This is something we all need to hear…together!

Every Sunday in the Apostle’s Creed we confess that we believe in the holy Christian church and the communion of saints. We believe that we are not alone in our faith, but are members with the entire Christian church throughout time. We are united together by our common faith in the same Lord Jesus who put on flesh, suffered, and rose for all of us. It is His Word that makes us one. So that, when Peter writes to God’s elect-and-scattered church, he knows that what he has to say applies to everyone who hears it. Our church in Moorpark needs the same message the congregations in first century Cappadocia needed to hear. They were forgiven and saved and sanctified by the exact same message we are. So, as you read I Peter, remember that you don’t go at it alone! But you are a reading partner with the entire communion of saints! I Peter is one of God’s wonderful love letters to all of us!

God of all creation, by your mighty Word you spoke creation into existence. By that same Word you have created faith in our hearts and united us as one in your church. Forgive us for when we focus too much on our own spirituality and forget the family you have called us to love. We thank you for uniting us with your Son and His whole body of believers. Grant us joy as your Spirit guides us to love and serve your church. AMEN!

*The symbol on the top of this devotional stands for “Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum.” It is a Latin phrase which means “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” This phrase, based on I Peter 1:24-25, served as the battle cry of the Lutheran reformers as it reminded them that God’s Word alone was sufficient to teach them God’s will. The symbol was on flags, banners, uniforms, and even swords as a sign of unity among those who suffered for confessing their faith in Christ alone. *

Pastor Bob

Labels: word-remains-forever