The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 56

Vera. 13-16.-Sctlvalion by Christ is.~uinq in holines.~. The modern demand for a relig~on which is practical is but an echo of the deman<l of Scripture. Right being and domg are the aim and proof, yea, the very substance, of Christianity. But Scripture adds that on which the moralists are silent-how this right living can be acquired. Redemption first, then holiness. Holiness grows out of redemption as its natural result. To BI\Y we do not want the doctrines of grace, bnt rather a setting forth of God's requirement of holy character, were as reasonable as to insist that the roots in the garden shoulcl be dug np, because we want, not roots, but fruit. Holy character is the outcome of a knowledge of free redemption through the Son of God. So much is involved in the word "wherefore" here. The paragraph has to do with practical life; it holds up the loftiest ideal: "As he who bath called you is holy, so be ye holy," etc., and this is set forth as the necessary sequence to the preceding. I. SPIRITUAL REDEMPTION IB HERE SPOKEN OF AS "THE GRACE THAT IS BEING BROUGHT TO us IN THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST." Revised Version margin," Greek, Is being brought." "At" is the ordinary preposition signifying "in." We, thereforP., take the expression as covering all that the apostle has spoken of from the third verse. The nature, certainty, sublimity of redemption; redemption beginning here, perfected in heaven;- that has been his theme, and he now sums it up in the beautiful and comprehensive phrase, "The grace that is being brought unto you in the revelation of Jesus Christ." 'l'hink of salvation under this title. 1. It is God'& free gift. "The grace.n It is gratuitous. One of its marvellous features is that it is for " whosoever will.n A salvation we had wrought for ourselves could not have rectified our relation to God; it would have freed us from condemnation, but not have opened to us the Father's heart, nor constrained us to bis service. There is a priceless power in God himself dis- charging our liabilities by the atonement of his own blood, and thus saving the unthankfnl and evil, the outcast and lost, for nothing. 2. It is posse.vsed by us in an extraordinary degree. There is evident stress on the words," to you." The expression seems to look back to vers. 10-12. Divine truths were in their dawning in the Old Testament, but they are brought to light in the New. Compared with what bas to be revealed, it is darkness; for that which is the expression of God's boundless love, and the full reward of the atonement, will need enlarged capacities for its perception, and all eternity for its reception; but compared with what was revealed before New Testament times, it is brightness. Very touching is it, for instance, to think of Isaiah sitting down and pondering the prophecies he was given to utter, and vainly trying to understand their mysteries. " 'l'he Spirit was not yet;" but he has come now, and in his light we see light. Now we may "comprehend with all saints what," etc.; now "the eyes of our understanding being," etc.; now "eye bath not seen, nor ear ... but God bath," etc.; "Verily I say unto you, many prophets," etc. 3. It is continuous and increasing with the revelation of Jesus Ohrist. "That is being"-it is a prolonged, unceasing, ever- enlarging bestowment. What we received when we first knew Christ as Saviour was far surpassed by what came with glowing knowledge of him; and this, in tum, shall be immeasurably surpassed when we shall see him as he is. What is the joy on the face of the, young disciple; what the calm of the saintly heart as it comes forth from the closet; what the growing likeness to the Saviour in the good man's character; what the holy peace of the aged believer; what the glory of the redeemed in heaven,-but "the grace that is being brought to us in the revelation of Jesus Christ" ? IJ. 'fHE POSSESSION OF THIS GRACE CLAIMS 'l'HAT WE CLEARLY APPREHEND ITS I•'ULNESS. "Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for this grace;" equivalent to" God would have us see how great salvation is; if it is to work in us its proper work, we must have adequate views, and a firm, personal, intelligent grip of it." 1. '!'here must be activity of thought concerning it. To gird up the loins is the preparation for activity. In Scripture we have the thoughts of God, but they am not revealed to the careless render; they only yield to patient study under the illumi• nation of the Divine Spirit. The absolutely needful truths of Scripture, like the corn on the surface of the earth, are easily gathered, but for the gold and gems we must dig. Some Christians know so little of God's grace because they have no systematic, leisurely, deliberate, prayerful study of Scripture. "Search the Scriptures;" "Then shall wo know, if we follow on to kuow the Lord." 2. There must be freedom from what would llim our vision of it. "De sober." Sobriety is self-restraint from what intoxic;\tes. 'l'hll J, PE:Tl!;ll, I;!  50 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PE'l'ER. [oa, 1. 1-25.