Because of their salvation (Peter wrote, to the Jewish believers in Jesus living among the Diaspora), they had been profoundly altered, moving from the covenant of God with the Hebrew people to the covenant cut in the blood of Christ with every believer. They had been born anew, born from above, bought with the precious blood of the Lamb of God.
“Therefore,” Peter continued, they were to prepare their minds for action, discipline -themselves-, but set all of their hope on the -grace- Jesus brings. Their new birthright would bring them—and us today—hope, holiness, reverence for God, and a life of love.
Still, Peter had a second “therefore” waiting to be said. Here it is today.
