1 Peter 1:17-21, Fear (1)

 There is a word that characterizes our time here on earth: pilgrimage.  Peter has referred to those to whom he writes as elect pilgrims (1:1-2).  In my New King James Bible the phrase in v17 “the time of your stay here” has a more specific reading: sojourning; dwelling as resident aliens.  It is the same word-family as in 2:11: I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims.  

What is this pilgrimage like?  It is a life characterized by trials.  But it is sustained by the hope of eternal salvation.  This living hope, based in the resurrection of Christ, an event in which we shared when we put our faith in Christ, and an event that enables us to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6).  This new life, according to Peter, is characterized by holiness (1 Pt. 1:13-16), fear (1:17-21) and love (1:22-2:3). 

When we think about the fear of God Peter’s words in v17 are full of insight.  He calls attention to the fact that God is the judge of all men and that He is totally impartial.  Do you remember when Peter learned this truth?  It was in Acts 10 (cf. esp. v34-35) when God sent him, a good Jew, to the house of Cornelius, a God-fearer and a Gentile.  The subject of “fearing God” is properly connected to the fact that He is the judge of all men and He will judge according to each man’s own works.

Notice what else Peter says in v17: if you call on the Father.  Peter is writing to Christians; they know and call God Father, or if you are Jewish, Abba.  How precious it is, when we are in Israel among the Jewish families, and hear the children call out “Abba.”  I was taken back at first but have become accustomed to it as a child speaking out of respect to his or her father.  We might say “daddy” in English, a term that shows respect and intimacy.  This is how we approach God; we call Him Father. 

Keep this in mind when you read the last part of v17, that our pilgrimage is to be characterized by fear.  This is addressed to people who call God Father.  Obviously Peter is not calling us to be afraid of God, the Judge of all men.  He is calling on us to respect Him, to revere Him and hold Him in holy awe.  It is sad that today there are so few homes where children are taught this kind of fear for their father, sad because those children will find it difficult to understand the blessing of believers who call on the Father. 

Perhaps you did not respect your earthly father; perhaps he did not earn that respect.  That may be why Peter warns his Jewish readers when he reminds them of your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.  Peter had heard Jesus warn these fathers in John 8:42-44: If God were your Father, you would love Mt, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent me. … You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  They claimed God as their Father, but they did not love what their Father loved!  They did not love His only Son, Jesus Christ.  That truly is an aimless or vain way of life.