Prophetic Revelation and the Gospel

 

1 Peter 1:10-12 (CSB)

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

The main purpose that Peter had in writing this letter, that we call 1 Peter, was to encourage Christians who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Not only were they scattered, but they also faced opposition. The opposition they experienced caused them to doubt and which led to them to consider giving up. This back ground is important to remember as we read this text, because it would shape the way the original recipients of this letter would have hear it. 

1 Peter was written to people who wondered if following Jesus was worth it.

In order to encourage these exiles, Peter reminded them that the Old Testament contained God’s promise to rescue to His people from the sin that corrupted God’s good creation. This promise, taught by the law and the prophets, caused God’s people to believe that one day the Messiah, the Anointed One, would come to carry out God’s promise . The faith of the Old Testament saints was anchored in the hope of redemption (even though they did not fully understand all the details of God's plan) this Messiah would bring. 

Their anticipation of God’s salvation was secured by their faith and their hearts longed to experience all that God had promised.

According to Peter, the Old Testament prophets diligently studied God’s promises and looked forward to the events their prophecies promised. Their prophecies, which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, pointed toward the coming of Jesus and the redemption he would bring to God’s people. However, they also understood that it was not yet time for God’s promises to be fulfilled, and that is why they longed to see what would happen.

This passage should remind us that salvation in Jesus is far more beautiful and  encompassing than we can imagine.  It is so marvelous that even the angels, who are in heaven with God, are amazed by God’s plan of salvation. 

The Gospel, the Good News that God’s Kingdom comes into this world through Jesus, captivates the attention of the angels to such an extent that they continue to study intently all of God’s promises and actions.  Their dedication highlights their desire to understand the depth of God's love and mercy that is revealed in Jesus Christ.

We are heirs of this Gospel, and if the angels continue to be amazed at God’s love and grace, we too should marvel at the beauty of the prophetic revelation fulfilled through Jesus. Let us join with the angels in heaven, praising God for the indescribable gift of salvation.

My prayer is that the mysteries of God's grace continue to inspire and transform us so we can reflect the heart of our Savior into the world.

God’s Image Revealed In Us

 

"Your motivation is not what others think of you, not even the consequence of your actions if you choose another way, but your longing to have the image of God revealed in you. You simply want to be a different person." 

— Erwin McManus, Uprising, p. 69

In our journey of faith, we often wrestle with questions about our motivations, purpose, and priorities. It's easy to become paralyzed by the opinions of friends and family, or by our own internal dialogue as we imagine every possible outcome of our choices.

However, as Erwin McManus wisely points out in Uprising, our ultimate motivation should be the desire to have the image of God revealed in us. After all, this is what it means to be created in the image of God.

I want us to ponder how the desire to correctly represent God’s character is essential to our discipleship.

The True Source of Motivation

When we embark on a journey of discipleship, it’s natural to seek motivation from various sources. We may crave the approval of others, fear the consequences of making the wrong choices, or be driven by a pursuit of success. Yet McManus encourages us to shift our focus from these external influences to the internal transformation that comes from desiring to reflect the image of God. Our motivation moves from pleasing people to pleasing God, and this shift fundamentally changes how we approach our faith.

The Power of Transformation

As believers, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). This transformation isn’t merely an outward change, but a deep, inward shift. Our desire to become a different person shouldn’t be rooted in self-improvement or personal gain, but in a yearning to become more Christlike. We recognize that our ultimate fulfillment comes from aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with God’s character.

Embracing the Process

The journey to have the image of God revealed in us is not a quick fix or an instant transformation. It’s a lifelong process that requires dedication, humility, and surrender. We must be willing to let go of old habits and embrace the pruning and refining that come with seeking God’s image. Just as a sculptor chips away at a block of stone to reveal a masterpiece, God shapes us through the challenges, trials, and joys of life.

Releasing Fear and Insecurity

When our motivation is rooted in the desire to reveal God’s image within us, we are freed from the fear of what others think. Our worth is not determined by people’s opinions but by our identity as children of God. This newfound confidence empowers us to make choices that align with God’s will, rather than being swayed by external pressures.

Erwin McManus’s words remind us of a beautiful truth: our motivation in discipleship should stem from a longing to reveal the image of God within us. As we focus on this desire, our actions, choices, and attitudes will begin to change. We become less concerned with gaining approval from others and more committed to reflecting God’s character in all that we do. Let us embrace this transformative journey with open hearts, trusting that God is at work within us, shaping us into vessels that radiate His love, grace, and truth to the world.

Step Away From The Lies

 

"The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world. It is a renunciation of the lies we have been told about ourselves, our neighbors, and our universe."  

— Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, p. 29

The world is filled with countless messages that seek to shape who we are, what we believe, and how we view ourselves and others. Our constant exposure to social media, the enticing whispers of advertisements, and the news outlets we follow can make it feel like truth is hard to discern.

And you know what?  

All this messaging not only twists our perception of reality, but it also messes with our hearts. The messages we receive from the world can divide our loyalties between the Kingdom of God and the world, causing us to prioritize the wrong things in life.

In the midst of this reality, let's not lose hope!

Peterson’s wisdom in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction reminds us that there is a way forward. The path we need to take is a bold step away from the deceptive narratives the world pushes on us.

While we may not have control over the messages being blasted into our lives, we do have a choice about what we let in. Picture it like turning away from unhealthy, cancer-causing food that has consumed you for too long, and choosing instead a healthier diet.

The Bible provides many examples of people who have embraced this pivotal step.

One such person is the prophet Isaiah, whose life-changing encounter with God is found in Isaiah 6.

Isaiah’s vision revealed God seated on His heavenly throne, surrounded by spiritual beings. The sheer awesomeness of this revelation overwhelmed Isaiah, prompting him to cry out:

"Woe is me, for I am ruined  

because I am a man of unclean lips  

and live among a people of unclean lips,  

and because my eyes have seen the King,  

the LORD of Armies." 

— (Isaiah 6:5, CSB)

Isaiah's response came from a deep realization of his sinfulness, which moved him to acknowledge the shortcomings of all of Israel.

But despite this revelation, Isaiah did not fall into despair. Instead, he took the first crucial step toward God. With a newfound understanding of his unworthiness, Isaiah confessed his sin to God. In response, God sent a seraphim, a spiritual being, to purify Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal from the altar. This purification spread throughout Isaiah’s body as the seraphim declared:

"Now that this has touched your lips,  

your iniquity is removed  

and your sin is atoned for."  

— (Isaiah 6:7, CSB)

Isaiah’s story shows us that the first step toward God begins with confronting the lies we believe. Isaiah didn’t grasp the full extent of his sin, or the sin of Israel, until he caught a glimpse of God’s glory. That experience gave Isaiah a new perspective on himself and the world.

It’s worth considering what distorted beliefs we hold about ourselves, our neighbors, the world, and even God Himself. This is where humility must come in. If we don’t have the humility to consider that we might be wrong, that there are parts of the story we don’t know, then it will be hard for us to be corrected when we’re wrong.

No one likes to be told they’re wrong. When someone points out our flaws or our false beliefs we want to hunker down and defend our position. It takes more than being told that we are wrong to move us to change. This why Eugene Peterson called this journey a long obedience in the same direction. It’s a journey of repentance, learning, and obedience that moves us to forgive, serve, and love.

As we walk the path of faith, we need to draw inspiration from those who have gone before us. Like Isaiah and other heroes of faith, we must choose to step away from the shadows of deception. We must let go the chains of lies that have held us back and embrace the truth that will ultimately set us free.

In this process, it’s crucial to remember: with every step we take, we are not alone.

The Holy Spirit walks beside us, using Scripture, prayer, and the Church to guide us closer to the heart of God.

With this in mind, we can be confident as we step forward with unwavering obedience and trust, because we know that this journey leads us to a deeper relationship with the One who loves us beyond measure.

Weekly Prayer Prompts: Be Grateful

Prayer is God’s gift to His people so we can connect with Him, seek His guidance, and find comfort in His presence. Each week, I will provide you with prayer prompts to help you to be more intentional with your prayer time as you seek to follow Jesus. Set aside some quiet time, find a comfortable place, and let these prompts assist you in your prayer time

Monday: Gratitude and Praise
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." - Psalm 100:4

1. Begin your prayer by listing five things you're grateful for today.
2. Reflect on God's goodness in your life and offer Him sincere praise.
3. Thank God for specific blessings you might have taken for granted.

Tuesday: Seeking Forgiveness
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

1. Spend time in self-reflection, acknowledging any areas where you've fallen short.
2. Ask God for forgiveness and strength to overcome your shortcomings.
3. Pray for the wisdom to make amends with those you might have hurt.

Wednesday: Intercession for Others
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people." - 1 Timothy 2:1

1. Create a list of people who need your prayers—family, friends, colleagues, global issues, etc.
2. Lift up each person or situation in prayer, asking for God's guidance, healing, and comfort.
3. Pray for those who may be struggling with faith, that they may find strength in God.

Thursday: Surrendering Control
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

1. Reflect on areas of your life where you're holding onto control.
2. Pray for the faith to surrender those areas to God's will.
3. Ask for God's guidance in making decisions and seeking His plan.

Friday: Strength in Difficult Times
"I can do all things through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

1. Think about a current challenge you're facing and bring it to God in prayer.
2. Ask for strength, courage, and resilience to navigate through the difficulty.
3. Trust in God's promise that He is with you every step of the way.

Saturday: Growing in Faith
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7

1. Pray for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
2. Ask for a thirst for His Word and a hunger to know Him better.
3. Seek opportunities to serve and grow within your faith community.

Sunday: Communion with God
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." - Matthew 6:7

1. Pray for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.

2. Ask for a thirst for His Word and a hunger to know Him better.

3. Seek opportunities to serve and grow within your faith community. 

I hope these prayer prompts are helpful as seek to be more consistent in your prayer life. Remember, prayer is a personal and heartfelt conversation with God. Use these prompts as a starting point, but you need to give room to let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and words. May your journey of faith be strengthened as you seek God's presence through prayer.