The "P" Plan

The “P” Plan

Peter’s Program to Provide Powerful Punch

By Estelle Nazary

A 5 step plan that will help us become more of what God wants us to be.

Step 1:            PERSONAL (Relationship) 

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.1 Peter 2:24

At the moment we are conceived, we begin to grow.  The first few months no one hardly notices.  After we are born, it becomes obvious to everyone that we are growing.  There are several factors involved in how we grow physically.  Our genes that we get from our parents, nutrition, exercise, and so on.  This is also true about our spiritual life.  What do we need for our spiritual growth? 

Step 2:                        PREPARE (to follow/serve)

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ  1 Peter 1:6-7

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;          because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."1 Peter 1:15-16

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,1 Peter 2:1-2

At our spiritual birth, God gives us certain things – gifts – that we need in order to become what He planned.  We are also physically born with certain natural talents and abilities that He wants us to develop and use.  He also sends the Holy Spirit to live in us to help us.  So, He has done His part to prepare us for service.  But we must prepare also, by learning to use that which He has given us.  

Step 3:            PUT (into action)

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead ; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.1 Peter 3:8-11

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.1 Peter 3:15-16

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

God planned from the beginning to send Christ to establish His church, and then return to heaven.  He chose to continue the work that Christ started though us.  “The body”.  Only by applying (putting it into action) the truths God reveals to us can we accomplish the plan and purpose God has for us. The “use it or lose it” principle comes into play.  We may not completely lose what He gives us, but it may become useless.  We won’t do ourselves or Him much good. 

Step 4:            PRAISE (Rejoice)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,1 Peter 1:3-6

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:8-9

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.1 Peter 5:6-7

As we put into action the gifts, truths God gives us, we’ll begin to see Him working, feel his presence, and experience a spiritual relationship with Him.  These things cause us to rejoice and praise Him.

Step 5:             PERSEVERE 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 1 Peter 4:12-19

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.1 Peter 5:8-10

This means that we are to “keep on keeping on”.  God wants us to “be not weary in doing right”, but to “endure to the end”.  He has promised to be with us, to guide us, to give us strength (if we depend on Him).  Also, “the destination is well worth the journey”.  Paul said something about this in Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Paul expands further in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 by stating “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in each of these 5 steps that we need to discover and use in our journey toward the goal of being all of what God wants and planned for us to be.  Peter has provided a program; it is up to us on how we will use it.  We are the only one that can put them into action in our lives.  We are also the only one who can LIMIT what God will do in and through us.  God never fails to do His part.  He will never lead us to do anything that He won’t give us the strength, ability, the power or whatever we need to accomplish it.  We may not always see the results that we wanted to see, or when we wanted to see them.  Sometimes we will see results.  That is good, but either way, the results are up to Him.  We can plant, water, hoe the weeds, even help with the harvest, but God gives the increase. 

Prayer:           Lord, give us the assurance and a stronger conviction that you are always ready, willing, and able to do Your part and help us to be more committed to doing our part.  AMEN