Book Review Friday: 1Peter

Edited to add my review :)

First things first, we'll read 2 Peter until next Friday.

Reading 1 Peter was great! I loved it and could spend another week or two here very easily. There were a few places that I didn't quite understand but overall I think I began to grasp what Peter was writing about here. At first I thought it was all about our conduct as Christians but realized after a number of readings that it goes deeper than that. It's about our attitudes that foster our conduct. If we say that we are Christians than how we live will give evidence either for or against that claim. This book is all about being serious about it.

It doesn't take a brain scientist to see that Christianity has many problems these days. We are more caught up with our music and fashion and a whole lot of entertainment than anything else. Peter was reminding the early Christians of the dangers of being caught up in the things we have been saved from. Wherever our hearts are will show up in how we live. Why do we allow our hearts to be held by such frivolous things around us if we can experience something so much greater?!?

The hardest things I found to read were about having a sincere love for the brethern (1:22), being submissive to my masters whether they be harsh or not (2:18), being submissive to my husband (3:1), refraining my tongue from evil (3:10), and rejoicing when I partake in Christ's sufferings (4:13). But it all comes back to living my life according to the grace that was bestowed on me. I was bought with a price but do I live like I have a master? What attitudes am I fostering in this little heart of mine? What do I fill it up with day by day, moment by moment? What do I allow my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my time to be taken up with? So many of my efforts, actions,and words are lost for all eternity because I did not have my heart in the right place.

When I am careful to fill my mind with Scripture and take the time to be in prayer with my God, not only does the sincere love, submission, control of the tongue, and sufferring become easier, they become an all-consuming joy. I know this because I have experienced it before. It really does happen, I want it to happen again. I do know that prayer is the only thing that changes me. I've tried so many times to rally myself and be a better person only to realize once again I've goofed and it's impossible. God changes the heart, the attitudes, I just have to be willing and ask Him too.

First things first with this though, are you really saved??? "If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious"(2:3) you could have no doubt. But if there is not a drastic difference in the way you live your life and how your unsaved family or friends live theirs, you either need to repent and get saved or you need to repent and get serious about your life in Christ!
Now I'm off to read your reviews. I'm so excited!! I hope someone touched on 2:9. I love that verse but can't put my finger on why enough to write someting down. :)