Salvation is not Subjective
1 Peter 1:22-25
HFBC October 28, 2012 a.m.
Several weeks ago our pastor, Bro. Todd, began a study through the book of 1 Peter. This morning we will complete the first chapter by looking at verses 22-25. If you are using the church Bible you can find your place on page .
So far, in this little 5 chapter book, we have looked at the fact that as believers, we are pilgrims in this world. We are simply passing through and as such Peter encourages us to stand strong in light of our salvation because it is eternal from the past, it gives us strength in the present, and it gives us hope for the future.
In chapter 1 we have also been challenged by Peter to pursue holiness as we attempt to live in such a way that we will bring glory to our holy God. And last week we looked at how our Christian conduct should reflect a Christ-Centered purpose in our lives.
Today, as we complete chapter 1, we are going to be looking at the certainty of our salvation. You see, Salvation is not subjective. When we say that something is subjective when mean that it is subject to interpretation. Or that there may be multiple right answers to a question even if some answers are more correct than others.
It may be helpful to think about it in terms of classes in school. You see some classes study subjects where there is a level of subjectivity to the learning and testing process. For example, the study of literature is a subject that lends itself to a subjective study.
I remember my high school literature teacher asking us to interpret a poem called “A Great Scarf of Birds” by John Updike. I don’t remember exactly how she interpreted the poem, but I do remember her response to my interpretation. She said something like, “Your essay is well written and you make a great case for you interpretation, but does everything have to include biblical allusions and Christian theological symbolism? Everything is not theology.”
I can honestly say that I have never gone back to read “A Great Scarf of Birds” again, but I am pretty sure she was correct in saying that the author never intended for his poem to be interpreted the way I interpreted it. But when things are subjective they are open to interpretation.
Now to be honest I always preferred this type of class when I was in school because if you had a talent at sounding sure of yourself you could always get a good grade even if you had no idea what you were talking about.
And on the flip-side, I had a real aversion to classes that were objective. That is classes were there was only one right answer. Classes where the subject matter was not open to interpretation. For example, math is an objective subject. Math teachers will generally only accept one answer to a math problem. There are rules and formulas in math that dictate how to solve a math problem and how to come up with the correct answer. I hated math, I was not good at math. Oh I can hang with the best of the math geeks when it comes to addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. But when it progresses to algebra or geometry, or even worse calculus or trigonometry I was ready to hide under my desk and beg for mercy.
But outside of the world of math, I have a real appreciation for the objective. Especially where salvation is concerned. You see, our God does not leave us to wonder how it is we can be pleasing in His sight. He does not say that there are many different and equally valid subjective answers to the question of how to get to Heaven. He tells us that there is only one right answer and that answer is Jesus Christ. Who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me.”
And not only is there only one objective answer to the question of how to receive salvation and heaven. There is also an objective formula for being certain of our salvation. A proof if you will.
Do you remember mathematic proofs from geometry class? Proofs were those problems where you were presented with an answer to a math problem concerning a geometric shape and you had to prove why it was the answer. These were what I like to call the “if then” problems. You look for obvious truths and build a case for the answer.
For example. IF a shape is a triangle, THEN it has three sides. IF it is a right triangle, THEN one angle will equal 90 degrees. IF one angle is 90 degrees, THEN the sum of the other two angles must equal 90 degrees. IF a second angle equals 30 degrees, THEN the third angle must equal 60 degrees.
Did you follow that? If not, that’s ok. You will not be graded on your math skills today. But the point I am trying to make is that there is a similar type of formula provided in the Bible to help us evaluate the health and even the reality of our salvation. It is a formula that we see time and time again. Jesus gives us the formula, John gives us the formula, Paul gives us the formula and in our passage today Peter gives us the formula.
So lets read 1 Peter 1:22-25 and look at this objective formula for evaluating the health and objective certainty of our salvation. Stand…
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because
“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Prayer
My points are going look a little bit different today. Usually they are a numbered list, but today they are going to take the form of a geometric proof or an “IF THEN” problem. Because as we will see there is a PROOF to the objectivity or certainty of our salvation within the text.
So let’s look at the beginning of our proof…
IF you are spiritually growing…(v. 22a)
So that is our first assumption. That should be the first and most obvious thing we should be able to observe in our Christian life. Growth.
Look at the beginning of verse 22 again.
It says, Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit
Here it is tempting to ask the question, “what does it mean since I have purified my soul?” I thought it was Jesus that purified my soul. Does this mean that my salvation is based upon my being able to remove the stain of sin from my own soul? I thought that was impossible and the whole reason for Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection.
But we really do not need to be confused here because if we look at this in context then it becomes clear what Peter is talking about. Look back at verses 20 and 21 from last week.
20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
In these verses Peter reminds us that it is only because of Jesus and his sacrifice that the way of salvation was revealed to us. Peter reminds us that it is only because of Jesus that we can be justified, or declared “not guilty” of our sins. Peter reminds us of the fact that Jesus died and took our sins on himself and gave us his righteousness. Which allows us to have hope and faith in God that will last for eternity when we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
So having just reminded us that Jesus is the only way to have our sins forgiven Peter cannot possibly now mean that we must purify ourselves of sin.
Instead what Peter means here in verse 22 is that having been justified or declared not guilty of our sins based on the sacrifice of Jesus we begin to work toward living a holy life. We begin to be concerned with learning and obeying the Word of God.
Another word that we use for this process of purification, or growth, is sanctification. All of these words simply stated mean that we work at growing to be more like Christ. We work at being a better reflection of him. We work at living in such a way that others can look into our lives and see that there is something different about us.
What is it that is different? Well Peter has already told us earlier in the chapter that we will be different because we will strive to be holy. That is obedient to the Word of God just as we see here in verse 22, “obeying the truth.” He also told us that our conduct will be influenced by the fact that we are focused on Christ and his purposes.
It is the same idea that Paul is talking about in Philippians 2 when he says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Paul and Peter are both saying that those who experience salvation will continue to grow in the likeness of Christ.
Now we have to be careful here not to take this down the road of legalism and moralism. We have to be careful not to make lists as if to say “here is my list of things Christians do not do” and “my list of things that Christians can do.” That is not Christian growth, that is not even Christian living, that is being a Pharisee.
Anyone can make a list of don’ts and a list of dos but that does not mean they are growing in their Christian walk. It just means they can make a list. Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things in this world that a Christian has no business doing. There are plenty of things that completely and fully qualify as sins. And there are also plenty of good things in this world that Christians should be doing but if all we are doing is checking off our lists of dos and don’ts we are not really purifying our souls. These are not what Peter shows us will be proof that we are growing spiritually.
So let’s see what the text does say is proof of our spiritual growth or purification. Let’s look at the then part of our proof…
IF you are spiritually growing…
THEN you will grow in a specific way. (v. 22b)
Our Christian growth is just like our physical growth in this sense. We have to be growing in a specific way in order to actually be growing. If someone is growing physically then they generally are getting taller. That is why we have our children stand up tall against the door frame and mark their growth each year. We do not however mark to see how wide they are getting each year. Likewise as we get older we do not look at each other as we gain weight and say “my, my you sure are growing.”
So let’s look at the rest of verse 22 and see the specific way in which a Christian will grow.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren,
That little phrase “in sincere love of the breathren” is nice and kind of pretty in the English of the 17th century but I prefer the way it reads in a more modern translation because it is much more plain in its meaning.
Listen to how the NLT puts it.
so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters
In other words, if you are growing spiritually, THEN you MUST be showing love to each other as brothers and sisters.
Notice it is not an option. The verb is in the imperative. It is a command. It says that if we are true believers WE WILL love one another. That means we will gather together with one another. It means that someone cannot claim to be a Christian and then never want to be around other Christians.
But before we get too smug in thinking we have arrived because we are here this morning with our Christian brothers and sisters while we are thinking of the name of someone else we may know who is not in church today. Look at the qualifying word concerning the love we should have for one another.
Sincere. It says we will have a sincere love for one another. That means that we will not only gather together but we will do so eagerly, happily, and with a sense of joy. It means we will look forward to being with one another. It means we will even put the needs of one another first when we are together.
It even means that we will even love that Christian brother or sister that is hard to love. The one that has perhaps wronged us in some way. The one that is different from us in some way. The one that gets on our nerves. The one that talked about us behind our back.
And what this requires is what we see in the very last part of verse 22.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
Loving someone fervently with a pure heart means that we love them without any reservations. It means that we do not hold anything back because of unforgiveness, fear, mistrust, or pride. It means that we set aside our own desires and put others first.
When we love someone with a pure heart it means that we do not simply like the other person. It means that we have deep heartfelt love for them that identifies with them.
It means that when a brother or sister is hurting, we feel their pain as well. It means that when a brother or sister is struggling, we rush to their side to help. It means that when a brother or sister is in need we readily give of ourselves and our means to meet that need.
Peter is talking about the love he had witnessed, given, and received as a believer in the early church. He is talking about what we read in Acts chapter 2.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Folks, that is a picture of loving one another fervently with a pure heart. They met each others needs, they worshiped together in unison, the enjoyed loving fellowship, they enjoyed being with each other, and people wanted to be a part of it.
Love is a great thing. It is one of the greatest Christian virtues. That is why it is a proof of our salvation. And it draws people toward God. It draws the one who loves and it draws others who want to experience it.
15th century monk, Thomas A’ Kempis, who wrote the book The Imitation of Christ, which by the way is exactly what we are talking about, says this about love.
Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good. Love alone lightens every burden, and makes the rough places smooth…Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God, and can rest only in God, above all created things.
He said love is a mighty power and is born of God. And so those who have been born again in God will posses it as well. So if we are children of God we will be growing in a specific way, we will be growing in our love for one another and you growing in love…
This is PROOF of your spiritual birth…(v. 23a)
Here is our proof. Look at verse 23. It says
having been born again
Peter says that your desire to grow spiritually. Your desire to be pure and holy before God. Your willingness to love others better than you love yourself. He says all of these things are the direct result of having been born again.
That is they are the direct result of having been given spiritual life when God reaches into our lives and removes a dead and uncaring heart. A heart that would reject Him, His Son Jesus, a heart that would reject His great love and replaces it with one that is soft and able to recognize a merciful and loving Savior.
Peter is saying that it is when and only when love manifests itself in our lives can we be sure that we are believers. He is saying that this is the PROOF of our salvation.
And Peter is not alone in this. This is what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 25 when he says that when we show love to others we show that we truly love Him. It is what John says over and over in again in 1 John, it is the entire theme of the letter. Over and over he says that we will know we are Christians because we love one another.
So we can be absolutely sure of our salvation. God in His great love for us has given us way in which we can see His work in us. But He does not stop with the wonderful gift of letting us have proof of our salvation. He also wants us to know that our salvation cannot be lost.
So what we finally see in the last part of the text is…
IF you are spiritually growing, THEN you will grow in a specific way. And this is PROOF of your spiritual birth…
Which is CONSTANT because it is from God. (vv. 23b-25)
In math there is always a constant. There are principles that cannot be changed. And in the same way their is a constant in our salvation. That constant is what we read of in verses 23-25.
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because
“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
The constant in our salvation is the incorruptible seed, the Word of God which lives forever. The constant is Jesus Christ.
In the text here we see that when we are “born again,” when we are justified and forgiven of our sins on the basis of Jesus and His death, then we are born to a life that is not temporary.
We are born not to die like we eventually will when our body wears our. We are born spiritually to never die. To live for all eternity in the presence of God in Heaven. That is good news that is the gospel that Peter is talking about in verse 25.
Look again quickly at verses 24 and 25. Which is a quote of Isaiah 40:6-8
All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,
Peter is making the same point as Isaiah as he points out that this life is temporary. It is fading. In the grand scheme of things it is really insignificant.
But look at what comes next.
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Here Peter does something very interesting. In Isaiah it say “But the word of God endures forever” that is Yahweh. But Peter changes the quote to say Lord. Why? It wasn’t an accident. Peter chose to use the word Lord to emphasize the unity of Scripture. He is saying the same God that has always been is the same God that has manifest himself and His Word through His Son Jesus. Peter is saying just as God is constant throughout time and throughout Scripture. So our salvation is constant because it comes from that constant unchangable God.
And it is by this Word. It is by the Word of God. That the good news of the Gospel is preached. It is by this constant God that we are saved.
Conclusion
Be encouraged this morning that we can know that our salvation is real. Be encouraged that we serve a God who loves us enough to afford us proof of our salvation.
So let me leave you this morning with one final math analogy. Every good math teacher will tell you that you need to check your work. So let me conclude with…
Three ways to check your answer to the question “Am I born again?”
Am I being sanctified? In other words, do I strive to obey God’s Word with my new heart? Am I growing spiritually, do I hunger for the Word, or am I a Pharisee?
Do I dedicate my life to obeying God by loving Him and my fellow man?
Do I enjoy sharing God with others? Am I missional?
Do I recognize and appreciate the new eternal family I have because I have been born again? Do I look forward to being with other believers? Do I have a sincere love and a pure heart for my Christian brothers and sisters?
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