You know I like books. I have a lot of them. I’ve read or used most of them, and each one has its own story of how it came to be in my study. Some were gifts from various people, and several were gifts from those who wrote them. One of them is a commentary on the First Letter of Peter, written by my late friend, Professor Howard Marshall. For many years Howard was Professor of New Testament here in Aberdeen, and was the leading evangelical New Testament scholar of his generation.
I’ll come back to 1 Peter shortly. But thinking of Howard brings back several memories worth telling. When I moved to Aberdeen in 1984 this internationally recognised academic scholar spent his Sunday afternoons leading a Crusader meeting in the Methodist church round the corner. For years he helped at summer Scripture Union camps, and wrote the Scripture Union Bible Notes for children, and for adults.
His laugh was loud, his prayers simple and to the point. He was to be seen in all weathers cycling to and from University with a large bike panier stuffed with books and papers. He was loved by generations of students for his gentle and humble ways. His friendship was warm, constant and undemanding. He was the most practical of Christians, insisting that the fruit of the Spirit is about character made Christ-like by God’s grace. Howard taught that the witness of a holy life of practical love for others, is the overflow of the Holy Spirit in the transformed life of the believer.
And that brings me back to 1 Peter. Howard points out that this letter was written to Christians having a hard time. How to live in a world where your faith doesn’t matter to most folk? How to cope with anxiety and worries about our health? How to behave at work in a way that shows you are a Christian, but without annoying or antagonising those we work with? And what about church, especially our own church as we try to make our way through this pandemic responsibly, as safely as we can, and still try to hold on to a sense of community and our shared belonging in Christ?
Peter has excellent advice for Christians who are struggling, for whatever reason: Remember who you are, and remember whose you are.
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2.10)
We are chosen, and as always in the Bible, election is a call to service – we are chosen for a purpose. Royal priesthood means we are children of the King of Kings, and also those invited into God’s presence bringing our prayers for ourselves and for this God-loved world. A holy nation means a people set apart, called to be holy and to live a life before the world that is light in darkness, love in the midst of hatred, and peace in places and times of conflict. God’s special possession, yes! We are the treasured property of God, ‘we are not our own, we are bought with the price of the precious blood of Christ.”
So whatever we think about our future as a church, remember who we are and whose we are – Read 1 Peter 2.9 again, and often. Those words are God’s description of those who are in Christ, by grace through faith. Rest assured! God doesn’t desert those he chooses; as children of the King God calls us to boldly approach the throne of grace in prayer; we are called by God to be holy and enabled by the Holy Spirit to be light in darkness; we belong to God and God carefully looks after all that belongs to Him.
No wonder Peter goes on to say to those who are anxious, suffering, uncertain and struggling: “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good….Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 4.19, 5.7)
Going into another year, and still in the grip of a global pandemic, it’s hard not to feel down about how difficult, unpredictable and tied down life feels. But. Our future is in the purposes of God. Our resources are in the grace of God. Our strength is in the presence of God. Our confidence is in who we are and whose we are. Our comfort is in our faithful Creator, who cares for us. Our trust is in God’s promises all of which are Yes in Christ Jesus.
As 2022 approaches may we find in God wisdom and strength for the way ahead. And may our faith be replenished and renewed as we cast all our anxieties on him, remembering who we are and whose we are. “This is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.” (1 Peter 5.12)
(Pastoral Letter to Montrose Baptist Church, Jan 2022)
(Photo of Westhill Community Church, taken on a late December afternoon.)
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