Living as Children of a Holy Father
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”1 Peter 1:17 combines quite a few varied ideas. First, Peter reminds us that this relationship we have with God—by His grace and through our faith in Christ—is a relationship between a child and a Father. It's a relationship of open communication. He has called us and we call on Him. "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;"1 Peter 1:15,
This is a Father who has proven His love for us (Romans 5:8) and right now actively shields us and the inheritance He has promised us in heaven (1 Peter 1:6). He is a good Father. We are saved; we are secure. But this is not a Father who smiles and nods approvingly at every choice we make. He judges our conduct impartially and individually. In other words, He judges our actions with absolute fairness and with complete understanding of each of us specifically.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV).
"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." (1 Peter 1:6, NIV).
This has to be carefully understood. This is not a judgment about whether or not God will allow us into heaven or punish us in His wrath. Already in this letter, Peter has been clear that decision is made and done. Our Father has given His believing children credit for Jesus' perfectly righteous life and has allowed His Son's death to pay the price for our sins.
But our Father does judge. He judges our works. He pays attention to whether our actions are those of "holy people" set apart for His purposes (1 Peter 1:15) or whether our choices continue to be driven by the "evil desires" we had when we lived in ignorance (1 Peter 1:14; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15).
"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." (1 Peter 1:14, NIV).
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their 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 person’s work." (1 Corinthians 3:10–13, NIV).
Knowing this should change the way we live. We should stop trying to convince ourselves and the world around us that we belong here. We should stop trying to fit in. We should embrace our status as foreigners, strangers, and people in exile. We should live like the Father we wait to be united with.
And, yes, we should live with some amount of healthy fear. Not a terror of God's wrath or eternal punishment—that’s clear. Instead, this is a fear of loving parental discipline (Hebrews 12:4–11) and a solemn awareness that the God of the universe watches and expects to see us make choices that bring Him glory.
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:4–11, NIV).
This holy fear reminds us that the God of the universe watches us and desires to see choices that glorify Him. Our Father calls us to live a life set apart, a life that reflects His holiness, and a life grounded in reverent fear. May we live as obedient children, trusting His love and discipline, glorifying Him in all we do.
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