“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again TO A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven FOR YOU, who are 1KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this YOU GREATLY REJOICE, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY at the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST…” (1 Peter 1:3-7) 1phroureō: watching and guarding to protect.
There are no commandments in the first 12 verses of this letter. No demands or requirements or directions. What Peter is doing here is not telling us what to do but telling us WHAT TO ENJOY. He is not exhorting, he is rejoicing.
-Bill Stockham