Two weeks ago we studied:

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

During that sermon we discovered that – though a person is saved, in the words of

Titus 3:5 (CEV) {God} saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.

It is not the “good” things that we do or have done that save us. The “work of God” is that “You believe in Jesus, Whom the Father has sent” (John 6:29). It is the work of Calvary, the Cross of Christ that covers our sin. It is our belief in Jesus as He is that brings us into a right relationship with God. Once we believe in Christ, drinking of His mercy:

Psalm 116:13 (NKJV) I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD.

REPENTING of our sins, we turn to Him Who alone can save us. But listen Beloved: Once saved, we are to live as “OBEDIENT CHILDREN”. We are not to be like the world. We are to live so as to please our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ died horribly to secure your salvation.
He took your hell so you can take His heaven.
The Holy Spirit came, and caused you to be “born again”

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit worked TOGETHER, and worked through HORRORS to bring you to the family of God. You are no longer slaves to sin, but SONS of God, and HEIRS of Heaven (Galatians 4:6-7).

Now we come to today’s text. Though we are not saved BY our works, once saved we are in God’s Family. We are saved TO work. Read with me:

1 Peter 1:17-20 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you …

Compare God’s Work With Your Work

In these verses, Peter compares the WORK that God did for you as Christians with the WORK that we as His Children do for Him. What did God do for you? Let’s start at the end first. We read:

1 Peter 1:20 Who {speaking of Jesus} verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

I have had people ask me, “When God created people, did He create them defective?” The answer is, “No. God made man and woman VERY GOOD” (Genesis 1:31). God made man and woman “in His image, and in His likeness” (Genesis 1:27). Being in the image of God, man and woman had the power of choice, of free will. Billy Graham wrote:

“The opening chapters of the Bible tell us that the Garden of Eden was perfect, a place given by God to Adam and Eve so that their every need would be met. But listen: The reason it was perfect was because sin had not yet entered the world. When Adam and Eve listened to Satan and turned against God, however, then sin entered the world and their perfect Garden was no longer perfect. God banished them from the Garden, never to return. Since that time, the human race has been searching for the peace and perfection the Garden of Eden provided but without success. The reason is because sin, like a deadly cancer, has ravaged our world and our hearts. That’s why this world is not perfect and never will be. As Jesus warned, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).”

God created the world “very good”, and made Adam and Eve like Himself. But was God surprised when Adam and Eve fell into sin, and dragged the world into a mess? No! The Bible tells us that Jesus was “foreordained before the foundation of the world”. Before the world was ever made (FOUNDATION – the Greek katabolē, the founding of, the conception or deposition), when God said on that first day “Let there be LIGHT” (Genesis 1:3), He knew that the man and woman He would create would fall away from Eden. God knew that Satan would tempt them, and that Adam would listen to that which is not god.

Jesus was with God the Father and God the Spirit from eternity, from before the katabolē, the conception of the world. Jesus was “loved of the Father BEFORE THE FOUNDATION (katabolē) OF THE WORLD” (John 17:24). Before the world was conceived by the Triune God (Ephesians 1:4) God knew what Satan would do, and knew what Adam would do. Before the world was created Jesus agreed to go to the Cross for man – before we were ever fallen.

God’s plan of salvation through Christ Jesus
preceded the creation of all things. Knowing man would fall, Jesus agreed to give Himself for us anyway.

Jesus Christ existed as God from all eternity (John 1:1-2, 8:57-58; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:6-7; Colossians 1:17; Revelation 13:8). God the Son became the Son of Man through Incarnation in Bethlehem according to Bible Prophecy (Micah 5:2). Jesus Christ came and died for “for ALL”, though He knows that not “ALL” will receive Him.

Romans 6:10-11 (ESV) … the death {Jesus} died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

God knew Adam would fall – and before ever creating anything, God the Son agreed to die for our sins. Jesus’ Blood was shed to cover the sins of those who believe in Him.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

When Adam sinned – freely and willingly – he gave himself and all of creation over to sin. The Scripture says:

Romans 5:12 (KJV) … by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Adam’s poor choice brought sin into the world. Sin became mankind’s taskmaster, our slave driver. Sin brought with it death and destruction. “Death reigned by Adam” (Romans 5:17), for “Adam’s disobedience made us all sinners” (Romans 5:19). Jesus Christ died on the Cross for us to “redeem” us from sin and death. The word translated “REDEEMED” is the Greek lytroō, which means “to be released from a kidnapper because of a ransom paid, to be liberated from slavery by another purchaser”. When Adam sinned, he not only brought sin on himself, but on all his children. Sin then began to rule unto death. But Jesus freed us from sin and death. We who are saved are freed from a “vain conversation”, the Greek mataios anastrophē, “empty manner of life, poor and useless standard of conduct or deportment”.

We who are saved by faith in Christ are not sinners headed toward Heaven. We are sons and daughters of God, living in the light of our salvation.

The salvation you have is very costly. God purchased you from Satan. God purchased you from the slave master called “Sin”. You belong to God. Therefore,

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Are You Prepared To Go To Heaven?

The Father expects you to live in a way that pleases Him. Beloved, if you are a Child of God, your every work and every word will be judged. We are “sojourners”, pilgrims and travelers on this earth. This earth is not our home, but Heaven is.

Illustrate: When I was in the military, we had to keep a “go bag” or a “mobility bag” on the base in our duty station. This bag contained toilet items, military and civilian clothing, rope, clothes pins, chemical warfare masks and gear … anything we might need at a moment’s notice. When I went to work each day I’d tell Sherry, “I’ll see you when I see you”, because there were times I’d get to work and have to get on a C130 with my mobility bag.

I had to stay ready to go. I didn’t just make up the bag, and forget it. Periodically I would add other items to the bag that would make my deployment better and more enjoyable (if you can call it that). If my bag wasn’t ready when I was deployed, THE PERSON THAT SUFFERED WAS ME.

Christian, are you ready to go?
Is your mobility bag ready?

You may be saved by Grace, but once saved God the Father expects you to work for His glory and His pleasure. The Father “without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work”. The works of the believer will be judged. While we are on this earth, we are to pass our time here “IN FEAR”. Some of you are entirely too cavalier about your walk with God. Some are so flippant it makes many wonder if you’re even saved in the first place.

Christians are called to live their lives for Christ. Not to please ourselves, but to please God. Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24 (KJV) … If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

If you’re going to “COME AFTER JESUS”, to go to Heaven, you “DENY YOURSELF”. You turn away from the flesh, and turn toward the One Who loves you and keeps on saving you. You “take up his cross”. I often have people say,

“I don’t want to give to that poor needy person, because they might take advantage of what I give them, and use it for the wrong thing.”

Well, haven’t we all done the same thing? When you should be willing to gather and praise God for His glorious gift of salvation, aren’t you often ignoring your obligations to God and pleasing yourselves instead of Him? We sit at home and watch television, storing dribble in our minds, instead of reading our Bibles, praying, and doing good to the glory of Christ. Don’t we all, at times, take advantage of God. And yet Jesus, knowing that a relative few would follow the narrow way to salvation that He alone would offer (Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:24), went to the horror of the Cross anyway. Why?

Because it pleased the Father. (2 Peter 1:17)

Saved by faith in Christ, we are “ordered to do good works”. This is what we are told in:

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Just as God FOREORDAINED that Jesus would go to the Cross for our good, God has FOREORDAINED that we who are saved WALK IN GOOD WORKS.

Illustrate: We are to live lives that please our God – not the world. I was mildly amused at the uproar over the Jason Aldean song, “Try That In A Small Town”. Some said the song was racist. It wasn’t. I took it to mean that we are to protect one another – that we should cherish life. If someone were to come into this Church to harm us, I will lay my life down to stop them. That was the sense I got from that song.

But others looked at the song as if it were promoting vigilantism. That is decidedly unChristian. The Bible tells us who are God’s Children:

Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

As Jesus did, we are to do. Jesus spoke harshly, but lovingly when He had to. Yet Jesus “turned the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29) when offended. Jesus never justified sin, nor tolerated it. He turned over the moneychangers tables (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15) and cast out evil from the House of God. Jesus loved the least and the less, and always offered Himself as the Way to salvation for whosoever will.

Jesus was not racist. He loved all people, for as Creator God He had a hand in making all people. Jesus did good works where ever He went. He brought light into the midst of darkness.

We who are His are to do the same.

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Your works will be judged. When the Apostle Paul was judged by others as he served God, Paul replied:

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

When the Lord comes for you, your works shall be judged. He will examine what you have done – and not done – for Him. The Apostle called this the “Judgment Seat of Christ”, and spoke extensively of it in:

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

It is required of stewards, that we be faithful. Are you? Are you ready to see Jesus? Are you prepared for His judgment, so you can “receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done”? Every day you live is a gift from God, another day in which we can please our Heavenly Father and glorify our Lord Jesus. He has been so good to us. Let us live for Him!

You Do Not Belong To The Devil Or The World.
You Belong To God!

1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The Christian works with God. When we “obey the truth through the Spirit”, our souls are purified from this world, and our lives protected. My commentary notes:

The Gospel is a PERSON (Jesus) to welcome,
The TRUTH about that Person (Jesus) to believe, and
A LIFE like that Person (Jesus) to live.

You can be saved by faith in Christ, but wander away from DOING what He says. When you do, you lose all the present benefit of salvation – as well as the opportunity to better glorify God in eternity. “Everyone who hopes in Jesus purifies themselves as Jesus is pure” (1 John 3:3).

The saved are called to walk in the Light with Jesus. We are to treat others with value, knowing that Jesus gave His life for all. And we are called to “love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again”. The “born again” love one another with a pure heart. The two words that describe Christian love is “unfeigned” and “fervently”. The word translated “unfeigned” is the Greek anypokritos, which means “without hypocrisy”. The word translated “FERVENTLY” is the Greek ektenōs, which means “to honestly stretch out the hand”. Christians are called to serve one another, to lift one another up to God. We are not called to endorse evil, but to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) so that our Fellow Believers and ourselves will grow to be more like Christ.

Are you ready to see Jesus? Is your bag ready? Or is your mobility bag empty. Life is so fleeting – learn to follow Jesus no matter what might come.

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

God’s Word and God’s Promises stand sure. Are you ready? Is your bag packed? Or will you arrive at your Heavenly destination with no works to commend your life … or worse! Make sure you are ready. Make sure daily. Amen and Amen.