1 Peter 1:17-21
[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,
[18] knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
[19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
[20] He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
[21] who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Fear is a holy self-suspicion of Offending God as Father and Provoking Him As Judge .
I hope you will see that this Fear of the Lord motivates the saints to avoid evil and promoted that which is good.
We often think of fear in negative terms, as a non-productive or even counter-productive force. In truth, fear may be very positive and productive.
Ready or not, here we are commanded to live in fear—in fear of our Father. Exactly what does it mean to live in fear?
What does Peter expect us to understand by his command?
My aim is for us to see that the Fear of the Lord is healthy and wholesome, leading to blessing and security. While it is our duty to fear God, it is also our delight:
Peter speaks in 1 Peter 1:17-21
of our text about the “fear” which should characterize in the
Christians Life Experiences.
SETTING THE CONTEXT
We find the Principle or Central Command in verse 17
“Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile”
The text begins 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.
The “and” is very important as it clearly links verses 1 Peter 1:17-21 to the two Major Commands Peter set down in verses 1 Peter 1:13-17:
a. Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (verse 13).
b. Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior (verse 15).
Verse 21 shows the Theme of Hope is still in
Peter’s mind.
The fear Peter calls for is the other side of hope, and it is a strong motivation for living a holy life.
Therefore we have the “and” at the beginning of verse 17.
The AND show us the connection between HOPE, HOLINESS and FEAR.
The Command to a Life of Legitimate Fear.
Conduct yourselves with fear, throughout the time of your exile.
Notice two things about this Command to a Life of Legitimate Fear.
A. Fear is to Escort Every Facet of Christian Living.
The word used here is the same word in v. 15, in all manner or Entire Life-Style. Conduct the Entirety of Your Life in all of it’s Particulars even into all the Full Spectrum of life’s Activities and relationships in the climate of FEAR.
B. Fear is to Escort us Through the Duration of the Christian Life.
Certainly the fear of God is not characteristic of a ungodly culture.
Sadly, all too often a proper fear of God is not a prominent part of the Christian’s life either. Fear is viewed as harmful by our culture.
Children have no fear of their parents. Citizens have no fear of lawful authorities. And yet Peter tells us to live out our lives in fear.
Surely this kind of fear does not come naturally for us or for Peter.
A careful study of our text can provide helpful understanding of that fear which compliments our faith and our hope in God.
Point: Fear is to be Active in Every Spectrum and Throughout the Duration of the Christian Life.