Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Winning Without a Word (1 Peter 3:1-2)

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” (1 Peter 3:1–2, NASB95)

Any passage taken out of context can be used to say things that God did not intend in His Word. A clue in these two (and the next several) verses that there is a context to consider is found in the very first words or word (depending upon the translation you are using). “In the same way” means that there is something said before that influences what follows. Some translations choose to begin the verse with the word “Wives,” but the real first word is the Greek word “homoios” which really means; in a like way. It might be translated likewise, equally, or moreover. It means that just as the previous group was to respond to those in leadership over them so are wives to respond to their husbands. In 2:13 we read, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority….” (1 Peter 2:13, NASB95) In verse 18 we read, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” (1 Peter 2:18, NASB95)

Then we have the rest of chapter 2, and with the linking word found here at the beginning of chapter 3 we see that the same principles of heart and action continue to apply.

Both of the relationships of chapter 2 and this one here in chapter 3 share a common focus, and that focus is who we are in Christ. Sure, there is an intermediary face, but the focus is our Lord who gave Himself for us and who holds us securely in His hands.

Marriage is an incredible relationship designed by God. It is He who designed one man and one woman coming together to be one. This is not man’s invention, but it is when man’s ways creep into marriage that it takes on the troubles that are experienced. Sin has this affect. It evidences itself in our passage today with the possibility that a husband may not be following the Lord, leaving his wife to face how to walk through their relationship in a way pleasing to the Lord. In each of the previous relationships there was the consideration that the one in the position of authority may not be using their authority properly or be following God at all. Here the wives are encouraged by Peter to respond to their husbands in those situations such that they speak volumes as they guard their hearts and chose their responses.  

God has established an order to things, and in the home He determined that the husband is head over the wife as Christ is head over the church. This is what we read in Ephesians 5:22-24. But He also intended that the husband, as the head, is to love His wife as Christ does the church, giving himself for her, as we read in Ephesians 5:25-30. This is what makes marriage tick as husbands and wives learn to walk in the oneness intended by God. But this proper working takes purposeful attention. Paul ends chapter 5 with this instruction, “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33, NASB95)

There is an ideal, but Peter is writing to wives walking through the non-ideal as he addresses the general response that we all are to have when we are placed in situations where those in authority over us are not operating obediently to the ways of our Lord. What Peter tells us is that in the home wives are to live in such a way that even if their husbands are disobedient to the word these husbands may be won or wooed back by the behavior of their wives, not by beating them down or disrespecting them by their attitudes, words or actions.

Peter wrote about wives setting the example in these times (as in all times) with their chaste and respectful behavior. Chaste is also translated pure, and its root is found in the same hagios (saints, holy ones, righteous ones) that is the identity of all believers. It is as they (and all of us) live holy lives that their spouse will hopefully see Christ in them and respond to His love through their actions. Respectful has the inherent meaning found in the previous headship roles spoken of earlier in Peter’s letter. It is the recognition that God has placed the husband as head over the wife. This means even if he is acting disobediently he is still to receive respect from her.

Peter spoke to the extreme power of responses when he pointed to the husband being won without a word as he observes his wife’s behavior. This does not mean that a wife can’t say a word in disagreement, but it may mean at some times after the words are said that she (or even he, if the table is turned) ceases to push the issue and waits on God to work. It also recognizes the truth that ultimately it is Christ to whom she (and all of us) is to submit, and the Holy Spirit needs to be trusted to work. Ultimately, we read that God has established a way of authority that reaches into every area of our lives over which He is the supreme authority. This is true even if it may be very uncomfortable at times.

But is there a difference between uncomfortable and unacceptable? This is a hard one to answer. Looking to the earlier passages, Scripture declares that we are to keep our conscience clear before God and that we should be seeking to glorify Him in all that we say and do. There may be times when a wife may respectfully have to disagree with her husband and not participate in an activity or practice. The focus here may be more on the response and the heart that drives that response. Peter tells us to guard our hearts, and to be constantly mindful of the example of our Lord as we set the example for others even in disagreement.

Jesus went to great lengths for us. He even suffered great abuse and laid down His life. Some take to understand that physical abuse is to be tolerated for the cause of winning their spouse to Christ. Abuse is against the law. It may need to be reported and separation may need to occur as a wife removes herself and her children from the home to protect them from harm. There is much more that could be said here. Should this be an issue, please seek help!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Living in the Care of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24-25)

“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. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24–25, NASB95)

In 1 Corinthians 15 we read, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, NASB95) Paul said the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ was the message of “first importance.” This is the priority truth. Jesus did exactly what the Scriptures told us He would do, all according to what God had called Him to do. It was prophesied and it was fulfilled. It is the foundational truth of the gospel.

Jesus “bore our sins in His body on the cross.” He did not use a proxy bull or a lesser emissary. God the Father sent God the Son to take upon His own body our sins. Scripture declares that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were inadequate. It declares that the efforts of man are in vain. There is absolutely nothing we can or ever could do to save ourselves from our sins. God is absolutely perfect, and His standard is perfection. Jesus Christ, being God, brought the perfection of God to the cross for us to pay the perfect price for our sins. He is the only sacrifice that is acceptable, and He willingly sacrificed Himself for us. Yes, man may have done the work to accuse Him and nail Him in place, but man could not have done this apart from it being the plan of God who determined it would happen this way from the foundation of the earth.

God’s purpose in this was not simply forgiveness, but restoration. We read that by His wounds that we have been healed. Jesus paid a great price for us. He suffered intense beatings and an excruciating death for us. Being healed means that we have been made whole. We’ve been cured. We have been made right with God. Man (Adam and Eve) was originally created without sin for a relationship with God. But by his sin man became separated from God and a slave to sin. Christ came to free us from this slavery of sin and restore us to righteousness accompanied with righteous living. Being made righteous with the righteousness of Christ, we are now called to live according to the righteousness which we see evidenced in the life of Christ. We’ve been changed and we are called to live as changed people.

Peter went on to write, “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Man has a long record of doing as he pleased as if sheep without a shepherd. We read this in the words of Judges multiple times that the people were without a king and that they did as they pleased. These words even mark the last words of the book, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, NASB95) But the next words in the order that our Bibles have been but together are found in the book of Ruth where we read, “Now it came about in the days when the judges governed….” In this little book of Ruth we learn about a straying widow with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, returning to her home land to then taste the redeeming work of God in the most incredible way. God gave these women Boaz and Obed, and God has given us all His Son, Jesus, to bring us back to Him and to be our Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.

God did more than save us. He brought us into the fold of His Son where His Son loves and tends to us. He is our Shepherd and He has been entrusted by the Father to be our Guardian. He is given full charge over us and He is faithful to that charge. He will tend to us. Even in His physical absence as He returned to the Father, the Father has sent the Spirit to be in us to bring about this very thing. What we are called to do is listen to His voice and follow in His steps. He will not fail.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” (John 10:11–18, NASB95)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27–30, NASB95)

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Walking in the Steps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-23)

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;” (1 Peter 2:21–23, NASB95)

We have many examples today of people crying foul when things don’t go their way. These loud and frequently profane and violent reactions are the focus of media attention probably even feeding these “justified responses.” Rather, than working appropriately within the structures and even using the appropriate voice given to raise concern and address grievances entertainers, media outlets, politicians, educators, and others are stepping outside of what was once an acceptable way of dealing with differences to revile those with whom they are opposed.

All of this stands in contrast to the quiet, yet reserved persistence of the example cited in yesterday’s post and more specifically the example of her Lord who we read about in today’s passage. Consider the example of Christ. This is exactly what Peter tells us to do. We are to actively consider the example of Christ when we are mistreated or endure unjust attack. Peter tells us that we have been called for a purpose, and that purpose is to follow in the steps of our Lord.

Jesus never sinned. He did absolutely nothing wrong. He never lied or deceived anyone in any way. He is the perfect embodiment of righteousness, grace and truth. But, He was accused of great wrong. It’s not that He did wrong, but that He did not do or say things the way they wanted them said and done. By speaking truth, He opposed their lies, and for that they wanted Him put to death. Eventually they pushed this to the point that He was brought before the leadership of the day for that very purpose. He was arrested and held before any having any hearing where they mocked Him, blindfolded Him, and repeatedly beat Him (Luke 22:63-65), saying many evil things about Him. He was taken before the council of the Jewish leadership where they charged Him (Luke 22:66-71). From there they drug Him before the government. First, there was Pilate who said, “I find no guilt in this man.” But, being intimidated by their fierceness Pilate shuffled Him off to Herod saying that He fell under Herod’s jurisdiction.

Concerning Herod we read, “And he [Herod] questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.” (Luke 23:9–11, NASB95) Interestingly, over this situation we find in verse 12 that these leaders who were once opposed to each other became friends over Him. Returning to Pilate, and after Pilate reaffirming that He found no guilt in Him, Pilate succumbed to the pressure.

“But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.” (Luke 23:18–25, NASB95)

Matthew adds, “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.” (Matthew 27:24–31, NASB95)

Peter quoted from Isaiah 53 where we read, “His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9, NASB95)

“WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH” It is in Jesus’s steps that we are called to walk. The verses that follow the trial record for us that our Lord then carried His own cross (with some help) to the place where He was then crucified. And, Peter, who was there, tells us exactly how He responded, “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;” Not only did He not revile or heap abuse on them in return. Instead, we read, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a, NASB95)

In these last two posts, we looked at a series of two different trials. One of them we know the outcome, and the other we are still waiting to see. The example for the one being played out in the courts today is given to us by our Lord who walked through the courts 2000 years ago for the express purpose of laying down His life for us so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and be given new life. Being given that new life, we are now called to walk in His steps, responding to the trials we encounter in the way He established so that God would be glorified in us and in Him.

We may live in difficult days, but our Lord knows these difficulties. He has gone before us in them, and today He holds us firmly. Our God is a just judge, and He will do right. We are called to trust God the Father, just as the Son did when He took on the form of man for us.

One of the reported reasons that our current President received so many votes was because of the looming threat to the Supreme Court of this country. We have a vast number of voices today that would like to scream down a good judge. Let us pray together that we would have justices who are not swayed by threat, but who do right before God and man. Let us also commit ourselves to walk right in the steps of Jesus despite the voices and forces that will be raised in opposition, praying for one another amid the trials

Friday, February 17, 2017

Submission and a Clear Conscience (1 Peter 2:18-20)

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” (1 Peter 2:18–20, NASB95)

Today’s post is not as much a look at verses 2:18-20 as it is my understanding of how one individual seems to be applying these verses in a very difficult situation.

This morning as I was reviewing the news I read that the Supreme Court in the State of Washington ruled against a 71 year-old grandmother who had been in the floral business for 30 years because she would not prepare flowers for a same-sex wedding. The customers in question had been customers of hers for some time and she would continue to serve them in the future, but she could not do this one thing for them as it would violate her biblical convictions. Rather than becoming embittered against them and rebelling against the government and the courts, this woman has chosen to use the resources made available to her to defend her position in the courts, knowing that a loss might have severe consequences to her position and her possessions. Even after the ruling was announced today, she appears to have remained gracious but determined to see this case through to the end while reaffirming her willingness to suffer whatever consequences might arise as a result.

This is a reality for Christians in the United States, where our freedom to exercise our faith has long been enshrined in our Constitution. These believers are now caught between two competing authorities. They are being forced to navigate the path between them. Barronelle Stutzman, as an example today, has decided to honor God by doing what He has put on her heart while respecting the authority of the courts given to rule over our society. Notice that she did not bend to the courts will, but that she has respectfully submitted herself to the consequences of not bending while defending her position before them.

From the information that I have gleaned over time, it seems that she is diligently seeking to walk this path of which Peter wrote when he instructed us to be submissive to our masters (those in authority over us) regardless of their intent whether it is in line with what we hold as good and right or is opposed and even unreasonable. It appears that she has chosen to keep her conscience clear before God while submitting herself to the authority of the courts to suffer what is unreasonable and unjust. I have not seen any record of her lashing out harshly and, in so doing, justifying harsh treatment in response, but rather a she seems to have evidenced a steadied persistence to do what is right while she entrusts herself to God.

I do not know how this will end or how it will end with others who have found themselves similarly placed, but I pray that they will continue to strengthened to stand with a clear conscience before God, that justice will prevail, and that those opposed might be silenced by their grace.

These are difficult days, but our God is faithful. He not only strengthens us, but He has given us the instruction of His Word and the example of those we find in it. In a very similar passage inspired by the same Spirit and penned by another apostle we read, “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8, NASB95)

“But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Love the Brethren, Honor Others (1 Peter 2:16-17)

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:16–17, NASB95)

There is a big difference between having a freedom and using that freedom responsibly. The First “Amendment to the United States Constitution states, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

As citizens of the United States we have a great number of privileges. Among them is the freedom to worship according to the tenets of our faith, to speak freely and to have a free-speaking press, to gather together peaceably, and even to request a hearing to address our grievances. But with these freedoms there also needs to be accompanying responsibilities. Notice that there is a responsibility specifically spelled out in how we are to assemble and this is “peaceably.” There is also the right to petition the Government for a remedy to our grievances, or the right to seek to properly work within the system to set things straight. In each of these to do otherwise is to violate this provision. Violent and unruly protests in the street would clearly violate the heart and purpose of these.

However, the freedoms of speech and the press do not seem to have any such limitation. It is probably for that reason that a series of laws have been put in place over the years to establish some form of limitation when it comes to classes or groups of peoples. But even here we find that the only way for these freedoms to operate properly is for those who have the freedom to exercise appropriate restraint in their exercise of that freedom.

Peter tells us to “act as free men….” Reading through the Scriptures we find that not only have we been set free from the bondage of sin, but that we have been given many freedoms in Christ. We are told that we have been set free (Romans 6:7) and that our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). But this freedom is not given to us so that we can then turn around and abuse it. Paul speaks to this extensively in Romans, where in part we read,

“knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:6–14, NASB95)

We are not to let our freedom be a cover for sin, but rather to let it be a place of strength from which we serve our God as those who have been bought by the price of His Son. Recognizing this we are to honor all people. Yes, he said “all” people. There are people who we clearly deem to not act honorably, and as such we justify that we cannot honor them. But, consider the truth that God is the Creator of every life and he is also their judge. This is not a power or right given to us. It is in recognition of His sovereign control that we in turn can entrust even our enemies to Him and seek to walk rightly before them. This means that even when we disagree with those in authority over us that we are to disagree honorably so that we ourselves do not become disqualified in the process and that God is always glorified.

Next, we are told to “love the brotherhood.” This instruction is specifically directed to our relationship with one another in Christ or with other Christians. Earlier in 1:22 we read that we are to “…fervently love one another from the heart,” (1 Peter 1:22, NASB95) There may be many things that we disagree on in regard to our understanding of Scripture and our preferences in worship, but we can never lose sight of the truth that every single person who has trusted Christ for their salvation is our brother or sister in Christ. We have been made a part of the one body which is His Church of which He is the head. On the night in which He was betrayed Jesus prayed to the Father in the presence of His disciples that we might be one even as He is One with the Father and the Spirit. This is a strong and enduring oneness that we are called to preserve, and the means of preserving and building it is our love for one another. It is this very priority that is expressed by Jesus when He gave it to His disciples. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, NASB95)

Thirdly, he says that we are to fear God. This is not third in priority, but critical to our framing of all that we do. As we approach our relations in life we are to do so in the context of our recognition of God for who He is and what He has called us to do. We are to make His ways our priority. Knowing who God is and what He has done for us, we are to respond by giving ourselves back to Him in full obedience. His great mercy has been extended to us, and our appropriate response is to walk in that mercy, full of grace and according to His truth. Fearing God is seeing God in His proper place and responding accordingly.

Then, in response to Him and His sovereign authority to give limited authority to those in human authority, we are to honor or give appropriate respect and submission to the king. The king includes all human authority as we see expressed just a few verses earlier. This is God’s will for us.

Notice that when it comes to those outside the church that we are called to honor, esteem, or respect others, whether they be in leadership or not. And with those in the church we are to love one another with the oneness that we have learned from our God who loved us and who has knit us together in His Son.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Submission in Perspective (1 Peter 2:13-15)

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” (1 Peter 2:13–15, NASB95)

But God!! These are amazing words. They can be used to turn that which is overwhelmingly burdensome to that which is bearable because we turn our eyes to God and recognize that we are firmly placed in the center of His strong hands. We can endure because He has promised to enable us to do so. But, these words can also be used to argue against something that we believe God would have us do when we desire to do something else. It is this later use that is frequently followed by some form of justification or pleading. “But God, ….”

It seems that many Christians today are responding to the situations in our culture with this later “but God” rather than the first. There is a great deal of dissension and frustration in our country right now. There is even an intense anger prevalent among many, with even those in high places of leadership walking away from their daily tasks to stonewall or protest others with whom they are charged to work and serve. And, I imagine that some of these are Christians. We have a difficult time in our political structure drawing a line between where submission ends and rebellion begins as we navigate the right we have as a people to protest, challenge, and even work for change.

Peter’s words might be very hard to swallow. There is no equivocation or setting up of conditions in them, and this has led over the years to theologians and pastors seeking to guide their students and congregations through who to obey and how far must we go. In response to this we have the example of Scripture and the words of those who suffered at the hands of others. Peter who wrote these words could speak to this first hand. He was there at the unjust trials and crucifixion of Christ. He was there to see countless Christians taken away for their faith and even be martyred. He saw his fellow apostles arrested and dealt with harshly. He, himself, suffered arrest and being placed on trial, and he provides for us the exception of declaring that he could not heed a directive given to him by the scribes and religious leaders when they told Him no longer to speak of Christ.

Peter lived in a very difficult political climate with various competing authorities, all of whom were opposed to him, Christianity, and Christ. But still, Peter wrote these words, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution….” “Submit” has the meaning of coming under or being in subjection to. It is the recognition that someone is in a place of authority and you are to properly place yourself under that authority just as a soldier would his commander. It is a word that encompasses both heart and action, such that we are not acting grudgingly but as if we were serving the Lord as we read to be the instruction of slaves to their masters in Ephesians 6:5-8, “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8, NASB95)

One commentator wrote, “As citizens in the world and under civil law and authority, God’s people are to live in a humble, submissive way in the midst of any hostile, godless, slandering society” (MacArthur Study Bible). The apostle Paul words it strongly, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:1–2, NASB95)

We see both from Paul and Peter that those to whom we are to submit include all governing authorities, whether they be kings, governors, or something else. This includes those agents of those authorities such as the police and others who are endowed with authority to enforce or enact. Clearly this is not the way of many in our country as we see acts of anarchy, obstruction and disruption employed daily both in the streets and places of rule. Some may strongly disagree, but we have a Constitution which determines the process by which people are placed in authority through the election and even appointment process. To resist a duly elected or appointed individual according to the words of Scripture surely seems to be a violation of the very instructions given to us by God.

The contrasting response to rebellion is to be “doing right” or as Paul says to “be obedient … in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, not … as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Sure, Peter said that he could not keep his mouth shut regarding the gospel of Christ, and sure Daniel opened his windows and prayed as he was accustomed. But it is large leap from pointing to them and using their actions to justify much of what we see happening today.

Today we do have doctors who have to take a stand for Christ and lose their jobs because they will not perform procedures that may be demanded of them. We have elected officials who have lost their jobs or who might have had to seek exceptions because they could not perform acts demanded of them. And, we’ve even have businesses who were sued and who have even lost in court because they would not perform services demanded of them. Being a Christian in an evil world is a difficult thing, and there will be consequences for our having to stand for Christ. The real issue may not as much be the actions taken by others, but how we represent Christ as we walk through those trials. The greatest encouragement I find in Scripture is from the apostle Paul who spent a great deal of time in prison for the gospel, but even in prison he saw this as an opportunity to be a bond-slave of Christ even sharing his testimony repeatedly before his accusers. Not once do we see him rebelling or removing himself from their authority, but using where he was placed as an opportunity for Christ.

In the United States, we have a lot of freedoms and even responsibilities that people don’t have in other countries. We can speak up freely and we can engage ourselves in the process. But at some point, there is a line that all of us are not to cross, and the best way of our measuring this is to look to our hearts and to bring them before God seeking His direction for our steps, asking whether what we’re doing is right before Him and if it will bring glory to His name. Then as an aside, hopefully our detractors will be silenced by our response and that some will see the difference, believe and be saved.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

A People of Mercy (1 Peter 2:10)

"Oops. I got things a bit out of order.)

“for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10, NASB95)

There is a popular phrase used among Christians which is, “But for the grace of God go I.” In the middle of these references to the people of Israel and God’s grace extended to us, we are reminded that just as God has promised not to forget them so is He merciful to show Himself to us. Romans chapter 11 is a beautiful picture of the blending that God does as He unites both Gentiles and Jews into His forever family. At the heart of this is the illustration of both pruning and grafting and even revitalization.

Going back to the garden we see that man was created, both male and female, to have a sinless and perfect relationship with God. There was intimate communion and constant provision as they enjoyed the fruits of His creation. There was great freedom with one prohibition. “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”” (Genesis 2:15–17, NASB95) Man was given everything he could see except one, and taking from that one would come with dire consequences. And, of course we go on to read that Eve was deceived into taking the fruit and that she and Adam both ate of it. With that death and destruction came into the world as man sinned against God and was to suffered the consequences of it. From that time forward we see repeated accounts of just how depraved man became, even to the point of destroying most of mankind through a worldwide flood where God saved only Noah and his family. But even Noah and his family were not perfect and did not follow God perfectly as we would soon see, and sin continued its hold on man.

We continue to read that God then called upon a man to take himself and his family and go to a place that He would show them. God also told him that from his seed all of the nations would be blessed. Of course, we know that Abram (Abraham) went as instructed, but even he did not go perfectly and again there were consequences. God continued to keep His promise and within a few generations from the twelve sons of Jacob the nation of Israel was born. But even the nation was not without its problems as one of the twelve would be sold into slavery by the others and later be used of God to save the others as they came to a foreign ruler for help only to find Joseph as their helper. Reading on in Scripture we know that as the rulers of Egypt died and new ones came that the nation of Israel came into bondage where they remained until God sent from among their seed a deliver named Moses.

But even Moses did not deliver them perfectly. The people once again rebelled against God and were sentenced to wander in the wilderness until that entire generation passed except Joshua and Caleb. It was at the time of Moses’ death that Joshua, was given the mantle and was to lead the people back into the land given them by God. But still they did not obey fully, compromising in many ways. And despite Joshua’s death bed challenge to them, we go on to read of the time of the Judges where everyone did what was right in their own eyes as they experienced times of distress and rescue. It was after this that they cried out for a king, but even the kings given them proved largely to be failures in following God.

Man’s history is one of rebellion and an inability to make things right for himself. But God is a merciful God, and His plan would not be thwarted by man’s rebellion. Throughout all this God repeatedly reaffirmed His promise to redeem and to provide a redeemer who would make a people for Himself.

Here in this verse Peter declares that the promise made to Abraham by which all the nations would be blessed had indeed come to pass. Through the blood of Jesus Christ both Jews and Gentiles were brought together into one people to become “THE PEOPLE OF GOD”. Sure, God has yet to restore Israel fully, but He has brought in His Son made it so that all who believe are made into one body as His people. And the amazing thing is that He does this knowing perfectly our hearts and our rebellion.

We have been moved from judgment and death by His mercy to receive forgiveness and life. In Romans, the apostle Paul wrote, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” (Romans 9:15–18, NASB95)

And in Titus 3:4-5 we read, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:4–5, NASB95)

The bottom line is that there is not one thing that anyone of us can do to make ourselves any more righteous or worthy of forgiveness and salvation (Romans 3:10). We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23) Every single person is due just one thing, and that is death. Our only hope is found in God’s incredible mercy. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NASB95) And the reason that He does this for us is exactly what Jesus told Nicodemus when he came to Jesus at night. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB95)

This is what it is to know the mercy of God.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Living Testimonies (1 Peter 2:11-12)

“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, NASB95)

Surely, a number of those who would read these words of Peter would be Jews who had fled their homeland because of persecution or for some other reason. Peter began his letter writing to those who were scattered, and his scattered readers included not only Jews, but also Gentiles who had all come to believe in Jesus Christ. He writes to all of them as strangers and aliens, and the reason for this seems that it must rest in the citizenship that they now had as THE PEOPLE OF GOD who had become a HOLY NATION.

As I read the first few words of this verse my mind was drawn to a song written by the country star Jim Reeves who died in a place crash at the age of forty. The song is titled “This World is Not My Home.” The first stanza opens with:

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Later in the song he added,

Oh lord, you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home Then lord what will I do

Peter’s words here are an answer to this question, knowing that our citizenship is in heaven as we read in Philippians 3:20. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (Philippians 3:20, NASB95) The first part of the instruction is to “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” Here is the aspect of putting off those things that reflect our previous citizenship when we did not belong to Christ and were slaves to sin and the ruler of this world. We have been adopted into God’s family and we have a new Father. We no longer are to obey the old one.

We are now foreigners, and we are to live like foreigners who don’t do things the way the world does. We are to be inwardly disciplined such that the desires that wage war in us and which mark the world are not the desires that rule our thoughts and actions. We are to abstain, which means to stay away from, to not engage in, or simply to not do. This is not who we are any longer and as such we are not to live as if we were. Recognizing that this is easier said than done, there is much attention given to walking victoriously in regard to the desires of the flesh in the Bible.

Passages such as Galatians 5:16 and 17 give us the answer as to how we are to do this and win. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Galatians 5:16–18, NASB95) And the verses that follow give us real examples of the difference, ending with the exhortation in verses 24 and 25, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24–25, NASB95)

On the positive side, we read that we are to keep our “behavior excellent among the Gentiles”. Here the term Gentiles is used most likely not to refer to non-Jews, but the world as a whole. We are to live right before man, and the reason for this that they may be proven wrong in their slander as some observe this, see our good deeds, and turn to Christ receiving the same hope of His return. Sure, there will be those who never cease in their slander until they stand before God, but there will be others who hear the slander and whose hearts are pierced to see that the evil talk does not match our godly walk. For these who see the difference, they will be drawn in and believe. These people will then join with us in having the same hope in Christ’s for His return when we all will be ushered into our eternal home.

How we respond to trials and even being chastised and persecuted says a great deal about where we place our trust. Knowing Christ and having the assurance that everything we endure here is temporary makes all the difference. Paul wrote, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18, NASB95) We are His ambassadors, and the country in which we serve is not going to make things easy. It is for that reason that we fix our hope even more on who it is that calls us and who it is that will accomplish His will through us.

Consider the words of Paul to Timothy, his beloved child and disciples in the Lord.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:8–14, NASB95) 

Friday, February 10, 2017

In His Perfect Grasp (1 Peter 2:9)

“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, NASB95)

In these verses, Peter applies a series of Old Testament distinctives of Israel to all believers. First, he calls us a “CHOSEN RACE.” The truth of Scripture is that all who become saved are chosen by God, and this is the truth that Peter first mentions in his introduction to this same letter. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen” (1 Peter 1:1, NASB95) “Who are chosen!”  In the beginning of Paul’s Ephesian letter we read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world….” (Ephesians 1:3–4, NASB95) And in 2 Thessalonians we read, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation….” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, NASB95)

Choice is a prerogative of God’s, and Scripture is full of references to the choices that He has made and His ability to do this rests absolutely in who He is. He is the always existing, all powerful, infinitely wise, everywhere present and absolutely sovereign God. Choice belongs to Him and Scripture tells us that as believers were are the beneficiaries of Him having chosen us both individually and as a body of believers under the headship of His Son.

This brings us to the next designation. We are a “royal PRIESTHOOD.” In the Old Testament God established a line of priests who were set aside by him to serve Him and to interceded between Him and the people as they offered up sacrifices and praise to His glory. But this priesthood largely failed and neglected their duties. This priesthood was wholly inadequate to accomplish the real forgiveness that was needed by man, and this priesthood was most importantly only temporary until God sent His Son as the High Priest who would offer up the ultimate, perfect and complete sacrifice in Himself and who then rise again to sit at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us today. Jesus Christ is that High Priest, and we have been brought into his priesthood by His blood shed for us.

We are made a part of a kingly priesthood in which Jesus Christ is both High Priest and King, and we are called to serve Him and exercise His rule. We see this expressed in the Great Commission. “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, NASB95) And, we see it further expressed throughout the New Testament. But ultimately, we will see it fulfilled at the culmination of time when Christ returns.

“…then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:24–28, NASB95)

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”” (Revelation 21:1–5, NASB95)

Furthermore, he said that we are “A HOLY NATION”. Israel was promised much by God if they continued to seek after Him and observe His ordinances. In Exodus 19:5-6 we can read the words of His promise. “‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”” (Exodus 19:5–6, NASB95) But the record of Scripture shows us their great apostasy, and how they did not hold up what God had called upon them to do which really was to continue to seek after Him. They had turned their back on God, and He brought upon them the consequences of their rebellion.

The amazing thing about all of this is who our God is. Israel was not totally destroyed and its people obliterated. God preserved among them a remnant, and among that remnant is the kingly line in which our Lord, Jesus Christ was born. He preserves that remnant still today looking forward to the time in the future that we read of in Romans chapter 11, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”” (Romans 11:25–27, NASB95)

Romans 11:1-2 remind us that God has not rejected His people Israel. In fact, Paul points out to his readers that He is one of them. But what God was doing was providing the perfect way that even the rest of man might be grafted in through the sacrifice of His Son. Because of Christ we, as believers, are made to become God’s people and His HOLY NATION.

This is the foundation in which Peter rested, knowing that his eternity was sealed with his great God and King. He knew and wrote that we are “A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION.” What an amazing thing it is to know that we belong to God. It doesn’t matter what is going on around us or whatever we might even do or fail to do ourselves, we belong to God. I love the words of Jesus in John chapter 10, where we read, “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:28–29, NASB95) 

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Stumble or Stand (1 Peter 2:6-8)

“For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,” and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.” (1 Peter 2:6–8, NASB95)

The contrasts in stone analogies is amazing. For one group of people the stone is a very good thing, while for others it is the source of great trouble. Scripture points to both groups in relation to how they respond to this stone. The first quote from Scripture is from Isaiah where we read, “Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed [or literally “in a hurry” or “in haste”].” (Isaiah 28:16, NASB95) This passage is quoted several times in Scripture, with three of the gospel records reflecting that Jesus used it Himself as we see in Matthew. 21:42; Mark 12:10; and Luke 20:17. Then Acts chapter 4 we have the words of Peter when he was brought before the scribes, rulers, and elders and questioned after the lame beggar was made to walk, and under whose authority he had done this.

“if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:9–12, NASB95)

Peter did not mince any words. He identified Jesus Christ the Nazarene who these very rulers had crucified, but whom God raised from the dead as the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by them. It is Him who BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone [stone not in text but implied by context]. Then He went on to say that it is Jesus who is the only way of salvation. No other person has that power. There is no other authority to call upon to be saved. It is in His name and His name alone that salvation is given to man. Reading past verse 12 we find that in response to this, his questioners were speechless. They did not know what to say, so they talked among themselves and charged Peter and John not to speak these words to anyone else. Of course, Peter and John could not keep their mouth shut. “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”” (Acts 4:19–20, NASB95)

I find it interesting that Peter would later say that those who believe in the stone—Jesus Christ would have no reason to hurry or be in haste. For many it might have been very easy to zip their lips and rush off after being told to go and say nothing else. But Peter and John had full confidence in Christ and they knew they could stand on Him and the foundation that He laid. They had no need to rush off, but were emboldened to stand firm and speak the truth. After that, they walked away. They knew the precious value of the salvation they had received.

But this is not true for all. In Acts 4:4 we read, “But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4, NASB95) There is a big difference between the amazing “many” that believed and the word “all.” The reality is that not all will believe, though many do. For those who do not, Jesus is not a precious corner stone, but rather “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”, as quoted from Isaiah.

In our world today we see the resistance that the it has for Christians, Christ, and the ways of God. In some parts of the world Christians are being intensely persecuted and martyred, while even here in our own country they are being ridiculed and even lashed out against. Judges are ruling against those who live their faith in their work and their business. Colleges and Universities are making it extremely difficult if not impossible for Christians to succeed within their walls. And, we are even seeing riots in the streets as people demand full acceptance of their immorality. Just as it was then with the Scribes and Pharisees and so many others, so it is today with those who deny Christ and reject God.

In Isaiah 4:11-15 we read, “For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary; but to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over them, then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught.”” (Isaiah 8:11–15, NASB95)

From history, we know what happened to Israel when the rejected God, and from Scripture we know what happens to all who reject Christ. One day they will all be taken away and cast into the lake of fire built for Satan and his cohorts. The end is not good. But Isaiah, and all of us, are instructed to regard our Lord as holy and to trust in Him fully regardless of what those around us might do. And when the heat is turned up and things around us might seem to be crumbling, we are told that Christ is our Rock. In Him we are made to stand. We have a great hope to share, a sure foundation on which to stand, and in Him we surely will not be disappointed.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

As Sacrificial Offerings (1 Peter 2:4-5)

“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4–5, NASB95)

In verse 3 we read, “if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:3, NASB95) In respect to our salvation we have come to Christ and have known His kindness. It is in response to this that we are to put off the things found in verse 1 as we look to who He is and what He has done for us as expressed in verses 4 and 5. Jesus’ body may have been placed behind a stone as He was laid in a tomb after laying down His life for us on the cross, but it not to a martyred leader with a headstone that we have aligned ourselves. We have been brought in the family of the living God by the same Jesus who took His life back up again and became not only our salvation but the foundation of His church. He is the cornerstone of the spiritual house in which all believers are included.

Jesus Christ was rejected by man and hung on a cross, but it is through that very cross that the eternal plan of God was completed and life was given to all who believe. The Jewish leadership of Christ’s day rejected His credentials just as many do today. And just as they were wrong then, so are they wrong today. The resurrection proves this to be true. The words of the prophets were fulfilled, and Jesus lives. He lives at the right hand of the Father, and as the eternal everywhere present God, His Spirit resides in every believer today. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NASB95)

As we look at these verses we don’t see independence of believers, but interdependence. We are not rocks scattered about to individually cry out and carry out, though we well could should circumstances come to that. But we are being built together as a spiritual house. We read in Ephesians 2, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19–22, NASB95)

God takes individuals lost in their trespasses and sins and unites them in one building or body in Christ. We share citizenship with all of the saints, or every single person who is saved. We are all a part of God’s household which has a firm foundation laid before us by the sure and certain words and work of the apostles and prophets. God spoke in advance through the prophets what He would do, and He gave the apostles to His Son as men to begin the work after His Son’s return. And, of course, the key to all of this is the obedient work of the Son who took on the form of man, to be born of a virgin, walk among men, personally train His team, and then lay down His life only to take it back up again and return to the Father. Not a single word or work of a prophet or apostle would save a man apart from Christ. We are saved because of Him. Our salvation rises and falls on His authenticity, and it is because He really is the cornerstone that we can have this assurance.

The purpose stated here is that we might be a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Learning from the duties of the Old Testament priests and their prescribed service in temple, we as temples of the Holy Spirit are called to worshipful service to God. In Romans twelve we read what should be our response to all that God has done for us in Christ, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1, NASB95)

Jesus did not leave His apostles alone, nor does He leave us alone to accomplish this service. We read from God’s Word that the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost to indwell all believers and we are assured that the Spirit continues to do so today from the very moment of our salvation. We know from His word that Christ continuously works in us individually and as a whole to grow us and to enable us for His service. Knowing this we are called both individually and as a body to respond as those chosen by Him. His means for doing this is as we build up and encourage one another as a unified body of believers, serving side-by-side and worshiping together. It is our unity and love for one another that is intended to speak so powerfully to the world around us and that glorifies Him through His Son.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Serving Kindness (1 Peter 2:1-3)

“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, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:1–3, NASB95)

“If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all” (Thumper). This is the memorable line spoken by Thumper when he was asked by his mother what his father had told him earlier that day. The reason he was asked to repeat this instruction is because of his verbal response to meeting Bambi, the new young prince (“Kinda wobbly, isn’t he?”). In Matthew, we have recorded for us one of numerous instructions of Jesus. “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, NASB95) This instruction predated in various forms the words of Jesus and is found both in Old Testament instruction and the surrounding culture. Here Jesus repeated the positive form of the instruction to embody the ethical principles of the Law and the Prophets and establish a large umbrella covering how we are to treat others.

But the reality is that throughout time, just as we see strongly before us today, people tend to react defensively and even offensively when what they hold close is attacked or threatened. But as Christians, we are called by God not to respond as the world responds or even as our hearts might desire. We are called to take captive these responses of our hearts and to purpose to react according to the character and example of Christ.

Recognizing that we were all once enemies of God, we are instructed to consider how Christ responded to those who attacked Him. Later in this same chapter of Peter we will read about how Christ responded to those who went after Him, “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;” (1 Peter 2:22–23, NASB95)

As Peter begins this portion of his letter, he instructs us to change the way we do things. We are no longer to think and walk as the world does, but to pursue Christ so that we grow in Him. Having tasted His forgiveness we are to be that way toward others. Having once been an enemy of God and now being made His beloved child, we are to look to others with that same hope. This means that we are to do life and even conflict differently.

Putting aside malice, we are not to act badly, evil, or with spite or ill will toward others. We are not to work to make them look small. Malice has intent. It is a purposeful way of treating others, and we are to purpose to love them with the love that we have been shown by God. This does not mean that we accept, tolerate, or agree with what others might say or do, but we need to guard our own hearts and actions as we respond remembering just how far our Lord went for us.

We are told to put aside all deceit. We are to be honest in our words and our dealings. My printer has six cartridges in it, and every single one of them is important to my final project coming out right. If one of the cartridges is empty then the final project is distorted. When it comes to our words about others we are not to paint them in an untruthful way, whether it be to make them look worse or to make ourselves or the things we hold close look better. Half-truths use only half the ink, and lies add ink that isn’t there. We are to put of deceptions, and be honest, speaking the truth to others.

We are also not to be hypocrites. This does not mean that we don’t speak about one thing as being right when we struggle with doing it ourselves. But, we are not to be actors. We are not to pretend that we have it all right while we condemn those who struggle or who we deem to fall short in some way. As Christians, we are to put aside that which is opposed to the instruction of Christ, and put on that which is right and appropriate while we encourage others to do likewise. In this, we are to do so with a sense of humility recognizing that our ability to stand and walk victoriously is a gift to us from God as His Spirit works in us.

We are also not to be envious or to jealous of what others might have, whether that be an attribute, a position in life, or a possession. Envy not only encompasses the aspect of having a strong desire to have but also wishing that your having it came at the expense of them not having it. In a more altruistic way we might want to think that we want to possess it with them, but when the push comes to shove in our heart, if we had to decide between the two we would want it ourselves over them having it themselves. This goes right back to one of the Ten Commandments where we read that we are not to covet. In putting this off it is important to remind ourselves that God deals with each of us uniquely according to His perfect will with His unlimited wisdom in infinite love. The apostle Paul wrote that he had to learn to become content, and he followed this by speaking of the source of that contentment. “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13, NASB95)

Realizing that the list is by no means exhaustive, the last of the things mentioned here by Peter to put off is slander. I have already dealt with this largely in the discussion of putting off malice and deceit, as what comes out of our mouths is often our way of expressing the intent of our hearts. But specifically, slander is generally the words that we speak of others out of their presence as we engage in backbiting and speaking evil of them. Whether in their presence or their absence we are to guard what comes out of our mouths in regard to others.

We are not to feed ourselves and our emotions on these things, rather we are to feed ourselves on the word of God. We are to hide it in our hearts and to have it rule our reactions. It is to be our strong desire and purposeful way of living to run to the Word to guide and direct our responses. We are to learn the ways of God, regularly put off the ways of the world, and put on that what is good and right and true.

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8–10, NASB95)

God has let us taste His kindness. We are charged to let others taste it as well.