A POWERFUL WORD
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You that in Jesus “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
Read 1 Peter 1:22—2:3
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[a] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[b]
And this is the word that was preached to you.
2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Footnotes:
a 1 Peter 1:22 Some early manuscripts from a pure heart
b 1 Peter 1:25 Isaiah 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do you think Peter means when he says “this is the word that was preached to you”?One of the first ways that our new life in Christ shows up is in our love for other Christians. We are in a new family with the blood of Christ as our strong bond. Peter urges deeper love for one another. Think about how that is expressed in your life and for fellow-believers locally, nationally, and globally.
Peter describes God’s Word as imperishable, living, and enduring. How would you put that into your own words? Do the words of God provide a stable and sure basis from which you live your life? Peter quotes from Isaiah the prophet throughout his letter. He knows God’s Word and is able to draw on it. Is that true of you?
My colleague George, who leads the Bible Society based in Aleppo in Syria, tells me that they have never known such a demand for Bibles as they have in the last few years. People in that war-torn context are looking for a sure hope, a firm foundation, a powerful Word—strong springs as they go through the turbulence of life.
The Word of God brings the power of transformation. Peter urges his readers to get rid of things that hinder love (1) as they grow as Christians.
Apply
In what ways has God’s Word brought transformation in your life?
Closing prayer
Lord, I pause now to “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” and praise You for Your powerful Word.
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