“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

The first thing we notice here is the command: abstain. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “Oh no, this is just another in a long list of things not to do.” That’s why the verse is worthy of a closer look.

Just two verses earlier, Peter has told us “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” We have been set apart, by God, for His holy purpose. This is the motivation which compels us in verse 11.

These “passions of the flesh” aren’t just compulsions to engage in naughty behavior … these passions “wage war” against our souls! People, we’re not on a playground, we’re on a battleground!!

This isn’t just any old war, either. Wars in our world are fought over territory, resources, or to gain control over people. Chump change in comparision to the war spoken of here; the object of this war is the ultimate destiny of eternal souls. ETERNAL!

Why does Peter refer to us a sojourners and exiles? Again, in verse 9, he says we were “called out of darkness into his [Jesus’] marvelous light”. Having been called out of the present darkness, and set apart for God’s holy purpose, we’re still living in a world where we no longer belong!

When we fail to abstain from the passions of the flesh, what we’re really doing is joining the other side in the war, and fighting against our own eternal destiny. Looking at it this way gives a whole new meaning to the command to “abstain”, doesn’t it?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”

According to His mercy: We did nothing to earn or deserve salvation, and can do nothing.

Born again: Yes, we can have a “do-over”. Jesus gives us a chance to re-write the story of our lives. He gives us a new name (see Rev. 2:17)

Living hope: Hope is an expectation to receive a promise. This hope energizes and directs our lives; a living hope.

Resurrection of Jesus: This is why the resurrection is essential; our theology falls apart unless we accept this central belief! We can have no hope without the resurrection.

Inheritance: We are born into the family of Christ, where we share in an eternal inheritance. This inheritance cannot be destroyed, corrupted or diminished. It exists now, and awaits our arrival in heaven.

I chose this verse (out of a reading of 1 Peter chapter 1) because we all need reminders of the foundations of our faith and hope.

These Bible studies are based on the pattern for daily Bible study recommended by Lonnie Berger in his discipleship study series “Every Man a Warrior”. If you’re not familiar with this study program, I strongly recommend that you check it out.

Life is the battlefield and Satan is our enemy. — Lonnie Berger