1 Peter 1:22

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,” – 1:22

At the start of this chapter, we were introduced to the abundant mercy which has enabled us to be born again, and  We have seen the importance of conduct in the opening of the chapter. And now, we see how it has happened.

Since you have purified your souls – our souls can be purified, what a remarkable blessing, what a hope, what a goal. To have a purified soul! But how? We know it must be connected to that abundant mercy that God has toward us, back in verse 3-4 which is going to keep us by the power of God Himself. But how? Practically? 

in obeying the truth  – our souls are purified by obeying the truth, this sounds like what King David said in Ps 19:7 – The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; it is when our soul is in harmony with the law/truth that we see the converting of purifying influence it has on our lives. But, doesn’t this “sound wrong” how can my obedience to the truth or law, being conversion, or purification, when we know we can’t keep the law or the truth?

through the Spirit – this is the answer. We can’t keep the law, or obey the truth of our own self, it is only through the Holy Spirit. He is the power by which our lives are brought into harmony with the truth, and with the law, it is His power in our lives that results in purification or sanctification.

in sincere love of the brethren love one another fervently with a pure heart –  notice the result is love, pure love. This is natural, because the first attribute of the Holy Spirit, list in the fruit of the Spirit is Love. It is only by having the Holy Spirit in our lives producing His fruit, that you will see this kind of love. And Paul says in Romans 13:10 “love is the fulfillment of the law.”This is how the truth is kept in my life, or the law converts, because I have the Holy Spirit in my life producing this kind of love, the law is completed or fulfilled in my life which results in transformation. Amazing!

An application:

Father, thank-you for your abundant mercy which is impacted my life in so many ways. Please bring the Holy Spirit into my life and let Him produce this kind of fruit. I want your Love in me that transforms me and brings me into harmony with your truth, your law, your kingdom! Thank you Father for wanting me in your kingdom. Amen!