Dr. Boa speaks an encouraging word on the purifying hope we have at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though we suffer in this present world, we do well to entrust ourselves to our Faithful Creator. His promises will never fail.
Peter talks about the surprising power and gift of grace that comes upon us which overcomes adversity and suffering. When we keep an eternal perspective, God gives us peace, patience and comfort in a way that transcends the circumstances of life.
Peter invites his readers to see that our outlook will determine the things we pursue and treasure and value. And so we want to pursue the will of God and His promises. We want to live a life that demands an explanation as an agent of light, grace and love; giving rather than expecting in return and entrusting ourselves to Him for the outcome.
Dr. Boa encourages us as Peter encouraged his readers to arm ourselves for adversity by keeping an eternal perspective in this temporal world. We want to treasure the not yet over the now even when this world presses in upon us. Biblical faith invites us to contextualize this brief earthly sojourn with the eternity of heaven.
Peter continues to prepare his readers for upcoming persecution and opposition. He encourages them to always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in them. Dr. Boa expounds on this notion of turning from fear to faith and sanctifying Christ as Lord in our hearts so that the shalom within us becomes evident to others.
Dr. Boa focuses on two verses (1 Peter 3:8-9) a little transitional section dealing with our relationship with the believing community as well as our relationship to those who oppress and oppose us. It is a lifestyle of love.
Dr. Boa continues his discussion of the practical application of the spheres of God ordained authority. Peter transitions from governing authorities to that of the work place. There is no dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. We are called to do our work as to the Lord rather than for men. As we look to Him as the Source and to Him for the outcome, we pursue a higher standard than we would otherwise.
Peter transitions from addressing the richness of our salvation in Christ to practical application and the pulls that wage war against our souls. Dr. Boa discusses this inner-outward conflict that we all encounter and encourages us to live in such a way that our words and our works and our lives and our lips coincide.
We all have broken stories and Peter wants us to understand that we can rewrite our story. We can imbed our story in a greater narrative that begins and ends well. When we are a part of God’s story our life matters. When we keep an eternal perspective we understand that the adversity and afflictions of this life will only be brief and the glory will endure.
Peter’s first epistle was written near the end of his life and it is designed to give us perspective. He tells us that we get to see things that the saints of the Old Testament could not see. And in light of these things, we have a living hope that brings confidence and stability and we can live in a manner that anticipates these future glories.
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