We are the redeemed of the Lord. As such, we are to live lives consecrated to our God and conspicuous of His grace. Our obedience does not earn us any favor with God. It is by Christ’s obedience that we are saved. We live lives of obedience under the banner of His love. 

for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:2)

When our house is on fire, there’s no sense cleaning the kitchen. That’s one extreme. The other would be to think why make our bed when we are just going to sleep in it again. These extremes each contain a common theme. Surely, there are circumstances that absolve us of guilt or relieve us of our responsibilities.

That can be our thinking when we are being persecuted for our faith or find ourselves in the deep end of suffering. Surely, we can let things slide a bit given the circumstances. We certainly don’t want to call attention to ourselves and become subject to scrutiny and greater suffering. Do we?

Peter is writing to those scattered and suffering, undergoing persecution for their faith. Yet in his salutation, before he even gets to the body of his letter, he urges his readers to obedience.

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