Gospel Outreach International

There are some things in life we assume we understand until someone asks us to explain them. What does it really mean to be saved? What does it mean to be born again, to be pure, to preach, to grow? This Bible study takes six verses from 1 Peter chapter 1 and opens them up into something far richer than a quick read might suggest. If you have ever wondered whether your faith is secure, whether your words and habits actually match what you believe, or whether you are genuinely growing as a follower of Jesus, this study speaks right into those questions. Come with an open Bible and an honest heart, and see what God has to say.

“but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25

• Knowing the whole of Scripture helps us understand individual passages, just as seeing the full picture of a jigsaw helps place each piece correctly.
• Chapters and verses were added later and are not inspired, so we should read across them to follow the full flow of thought.
• Obedience to the truth is the only means of salvation. Jesus himself said he is the way, the truth and the life.
• The new birth is permanent. Just as a person cannot be physically unborn, a believer cannot be unborn spiritually.
• Perishing does not mean extermination. It means the end of relationship with God, not the end of existence. All people live forever, the question is where.
• Preaching the gospel matters because people cannot call on someone they have not heard about. Sharing the message is our responsibility, the results belong to God.
• If we preach the word we must also live it. Non-Christians often hold Christians to a higher standard than Christians hold themselves.
• Five things we are called to put aside are malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. Each of these damages individuals, relationships and the wider church.
• Preparation of heart, mind and will is essential. What we allow to fill those three areas will determine whether we fall into the traps above.
• Purity this side of heaven is not perfection but progress. We are works in progress, being changed from glory to glory.
• The new Christian needs the pure milk of the word just as a newborn needs feeding. We cannot grow in isolation and we never outgrow our need to learn.
• A disciple is a learner. When we stop learning we stop being a disciple.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 1 Peter 2:1

Everything in this study points to the same reality. God has not left us to figure life out on our own. He has given us new birth, a permanent standing before him, his word to feed us, his standards to shape us and his Spirit to grow us. We are works in progress, yes, but we are his works in progress. Jesus is the truth we obey, the life we are born into and the one we are slowly being made to resemble. That is not a burden, it is the most wonderful thing imaginable. Keep learning, keep growing and keep your eyes on him.

Bible References

• 1 Peter 1:22-2:3:
• Job 14:10
• 1 Peter 1:22
• Romans 10:11-15
• Isaiah 52:7
• Ephesians
• 1 Corinthians 13
• Luke 16
• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• 1 Corinthians 2:16
• Matthew 18:15-17
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
• 1 Peter 1:16