As we continue to read in Peter’s letter, we see him being to explore our intentional actions and belief’s regarding God’s salvation through Jesus.
Peter lays out how salvation was being explored. When Peter speaks that the prophets “searched intently” he is speaking of a process of intense exploration. Much like a 1st century CSI looking at the clues, encounters, and witnesses. What is true today is that we can be confident that salvation can be intensely explored and that God’s truth will be come evident.
When Jesus first told Peter about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter refused to believe it. But Jesus rebuked him. Peter here talks about the Spirit of Christ that points them to the truth of salvation. He speaks from experience where he was working outside that spirit when he refused to believe, but now knows that Jesus did exactly what needed to happen to bring salvation.
What Peter is saying in this verse is that everything is working together to fulfill Gods promise. That the Holy Spirit directs us to see salvation everywhere. That even the angels long to to understand.
This passage has an interesting phrase that Peter uses. To be “alert”, its literal meaning is “gird up the loins of your mind”. It was reference to athletes that wore loose clothing. That as they prepare the would synch up loose clothing before action. The sober minded
Imagine today the ignorance that people live in today. Where people refuse to know the true love of God, instead by not gaining that knowledge, they would then out of that ignorance define their own statements. Peter here is say that we are not to be stagnant. We need to move and grow.
We have to be careful defining holy in this passage. It does not mean perfect behavior, because we are told that none of us will be able to do that. But it means that we are set apart. That we belong to Him through our faith. Not just once in a while, but all the time. That in everything we do we do in the context of being set apart. So that when we stumble, we address that within the holiness we operate out of.
Next week we will begin to operate out of this desire to operate out of holiness be confident that any ignorance we have is being by God’s truth.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, (ESV)
11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. (ESV)
12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (ESV)
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, (ESV)
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, (ESV)