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NASB | 1 Peter 1:17 ¶ If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 1:17 ¶ If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. |
Subject: Fear God! |
Bible Note: A Study of 1 Peter 1:17…………………………………………… We come now to the third of a series of four commands. Each of these commands is grounded in the past, present, and future blessings of salvation as detailed through 1 Peter 1:1-12. In light of these blessings we were commanded to: 1) "….set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." - v. 13. 2) "…be holy in all you do;" - v. 15. And now, we are commanded to "live in fear" in v. 17. Here is my translation of this verse: "And if you call upon a Father who judges impartially the work of each man, live in fear (during) the time of your sojourn," Let’s cut to the chase. Peter is simply telling us to be careful how we live. In the previous passage, Peter dealt with the command to "be holy". That command was based upon the holiness of God. Now, Peter is applying that principle and telling us that we need to watch the way in which we conduct ourselves during our time here on earth. The motivation for living carefully is threefold: a) Because of God’s character as an impartial judge - v. 17. b) Because of the redemption wrought through the blood of Christ - vv. 18-19. c) Because of God’s eternal plan for us - vv. 20-21. The first of these three motivations is dealt with in this verse. The warning here seems to be not to lose site of God’s holy nature. Yes, He is our Father (a term of endearment), but He is also an impartial judge. Scripture is clear that all will stand before God’s judgment throne, even Christians. And, while we will not be saved based upon our WORKS, we will be forced to give an account of how we used the talents which God gave us. In other words, what did we do with what we had. Consider the following passages which touch upon this issue. 1) Rom. 14:9 - "For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: "‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." 2) 1 Cor. 3:10 - "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 3) 2 Cor. 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." All of these passages are in agreement with 1 Peter 1:17. We will not be saved by works, but we will be called to account for how we lived out our salvation. In this light, notice how 1 Peter 1:17 does not refer to ‘works’ but to ‘the work of each’. Fear is not something we usually associate with God in our modern culture. But, it reminds me of the motivation that I experienced as a child. There were many times that I was tempted to do something when the thought came through my head, "What will Dad say or do to me if I do this?" The fear of the consequences was often enough to get me to change my actions or attitudes. Today, this thought has been brilliantly expressed in the slogan, "What would Jesus do?" What a great question for a Christian to ask him or herself! This is also that 1 Peter 1:17 is saying to us. Yes, we call upon a Heavenly Father. But, let us not forget that He is also a righteous, holy, and impartial Judge. Remembering this, let us live our lives in fear, knowing that we will give an account to Him one day for how we spent our lives. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |