A person wants to know that he or she has personal worth. Walking through neighborhoods around the Seminary, you see some homes with yard signs affirming young people. Other homes have put out “Black Lives Matter” signs. Yesterday 14 people were shot at a funeral home in Chicago, the violence too common these days saying life is cheap, expendable. Covid-19 has taken away the livelihood of millions. Invitations to depression are sadly all around us. People need to know, we all need to know that we are precious.
This week and next I’m leading virtual workshops with about 50 pastors from all over the country. The workshop title is “Studies in 1 Peter: The Importance of Your Congregation to People in Today’s Culture.” Insights for our troubled times abound in this little epistle, 105 verses. One insight is affirmation. Peter addresses Christians in first century Asia Minor, today’s Turkey, and tells them their lives are precious. They needed to hear that! They were poor. Some were slaves. They were not citizens. They were a small religious minority who were shamed by the majority. Lies were told about them. False charges presented to authorities. Peter couldn’t change their external lot, but he affirmed them for what they had on the inside, faith and hope in God through Jesus Christ. He addresses them as “chosen,” “called,” “honored,” “holy,” “free,” “God’s own people,” “heirs of a heavenly inheritance,” hearers of a Gospel message that angels envy. He wraps up, “I have written briefly to you, exhorting, and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it” (1 Peter 5:12).
Soul-lifting affirmations for today! Showing love, stirring up hope, staying tight with fellow Christians but doing good works to all people in our communities… Peter’s positive message is for us to share today, share after we’ve taken it to heart ourselves. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).
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