1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
In today’s verse we find ourselves in the book of 1 Peter, written by the Apostle Peter to the believers scattered abroad to encourage them in their faith and help them grow spiritually. The same message that was sent to encourage the early believers holds the same power for today’s believers.
Now that you have purified yourselves speaks of the cleansing that takes place upon belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We obey the call to believe, repent of our sins, and turn from them to follow Jesus – and are purified and made new. We are new creations, washed in the blood, redeemed and restored.
Our obedience is a part of this salvation process. Genuine faith isn’t just intellectual or something that happens in your mind. Rather, it involves obedient action from us, specifically believing and living out the gospel. Through our obedience, our choice to act, we are saved by grace through faith. By placing our faith in Him we are saved and made new. And then we walk in that faith as disciples, growing and learning more through obedience to following Him and His ways.
With all of this comes genuine love for one another. Our love comes from deep within. It is the love of Christ within us, pouring out onto others.
What does this mean for us today? It means the same thing now as it did when it was written. We are to be obedient in our walk, following His guidance and His ways, and as we do so we love one another with the genuine, heartfelt love of Christ. Who can you love today as you walk in obedience?
Prayer: Lord, I want to be obedient in my walk. Help me to be the disciple You want me to be. And let Your love pour out from me and wash over others. Amen
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