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The Story: Peter has been insisting that only the Gospel, as revealed in the Word of God, is powerful to sustain believers in troubled times. So, if his readers have indeed come to the Lord, they will know that certain things are expected and required of them in order for them to realize the full benefits of their salvation, come what may. “If” they are true believers – “if”, that is, they have begun to taste the redeeming and transforming grace of the Lord – then they won’t respond to worldly situations the way they used to, before they were the objects of redeeming grace; and they won’t indulge worldly occupations and diversions the way they used to, either (cf. 4.3-5). If we stand in the grace of God we will strip ourselves of everything that keeps us from knowing more of that grace (v. 1), and we will apply ourselves with all diligence to whatever source might nourish us more fully on it (v. 2). Grace impels us to such efforts. Don’t get the order of things wrong here: We don’t deny the flesh and the world and all their evil ways, then dutifully immerse ourselves in Scripture, in order to gain the grace of God. Peter says “if” we’ve attained to grace this is what happens as a result.“If” indeed we have tasted of grace.
The Structure: That little “if” is so important in this passage. It’s not the “if” that suggests possibility – “if it’s really true” – but the “if” that indicates certainty – “since.” Sinceyou’ve tasted of grace, then be done with everything that gets in the way of your attaining to more of it. Drink deeply and feed long on that by which more grace is worked into the muscles of your soul. Conversely, if you don’t seem interested in the pure milk of the Word, since it’s clear you don’t care to read or study or meditate on it, and if your ways haven’t changed much since you professed faith in Christ, then how can it be said that you have ever really tasted of transforming grace at all?
Do you find the grace of God compelling? Does grace compel you to forsake all worldly ways and seek more of God’s grace and power?
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “The Power of Grace: 1 Peter 2.1-12,” simply click here.
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.