Blog Archives

A Pure Reverent Wife

12/31/2022

1 Peter 3:1-6 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

THIS instruction to women to be submissive to your husbands may be one of the most unpopular teachings in the Bible. Let’s understand what the Spirit wants us to know.
   To begin, Peter did not compare a wife’s submissive role to a slave’s. The Greek language points this same way of submission back to Peter’s instructions about living under the government’s authority. A wife, then, is to live under her husband’s authority in the same manner Christians are to obey their rulers. Quiet, obedient lives is one way Christians would make God known. But a Christian must not obey laws against God’s laws. In a like manner, a wife is to accept God’s ordained order of authority for the family. But she is not to submit to the rule of an ungodly husband.
   This would have been very difficult, even life-threatening in the first-century culture and still is a threat in many cultures today. A wife was property without rights. If she stood for Christ against an abusive or disgruntled husband, he could easily set his wife aside without means of support. That’s one reason Peter urges wives not to fear.
   Standing in faith for God against an evil culture is a fearful thing. Peter encourages wives with the example of Sarah. As Abraham is considered the father of the Jews – and of our faith in Christ – Sarah is our spiritual mother. From her womb came Israel to birth the Christ. With a pure and reverent spirit Sarah obeyed Abraham.
   But we know God’s chosen couple was not perfect. For 25 years they lived under God’s promise to have a son. Even as they tried to manipulate God’s promise to bear a son through the slave Hagar, God kept them in his covenant. Sarah needed to put aside her fear, so she would trust God through the long years, even after she was past the childbearing years. Sarah’s patient endurance brought God’s ultimate reward to her.
   A wife called by God needs the Spirit’s substance and strength to obey our Lord against all adversity. Braids and jewelry make for outward beauty, but it is the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Purity and reverence for God lead to that gentle and quiet spirit. Such a wife will make God known to her husband.

Live for Righteousness

12/30/2022

1 Peter 2:22-25 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

PETER is teaching Christians who are slaves to live into Jesus’ example as a suffering Savior. He describes Jesus’ redemptive suffering with words from Isaiah 53.
   Jesus suffered even though he is holy. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. Peter had watched Jesus for three years as people adored him and hated him. He knew of Jesus’ temptations and heard people encourage Jesus to be Israel’s king. Jesus remained perfect to the Father’s will unto the cross, through the resurrection and to the ascension.
   Even though Jesus suffered, he made no threats, and he did not retaliate. Peter watched Jesus stand before the arresting guards in Gethsemane without protest. Peter heard the accusations in the high priest’s courtyard. Jesus stood silent against Herod’s mockery. Jesus remained silent as the crowd called, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22)
   As Jesus suffered, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. Jesus often declared he ministered in the Father’s will. John 14:10 “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” Our Lord prayed in Gethsemane: Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus submitted his spirit to the Father on the cross. Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” The Son submitted in agony, so his glory would one day be revealed to all the earth.
   Jesus suffered to bear our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. Peter personally knew the power of the cross when Jesus forgave his sins. In Christ’s forgiveness and authority, Peter became a new person. The apostle wants all to know Jesus’ power to redeem sins, so we are made new through his suffering.
   Jesus suffered because he is the Good Shepherd. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. Have you confessed Christ? Thank God you are no longer a wandering sheep at the mercy of Satan’s destruction.
   Too often sin is minimized, so we don’t offend someone. We don’t want to scare people away from Jesus with “sin talk”. But to make sin small is to make Jesus’ love and suffering sacrifice small. The Lord has suffered and died, so mankind will have the way out of sin and into Jesus’ righteousness. Live into that right way with Jesus. Help others to know how much he has suffered, so they can know him as “Lord and Savior”.

Be Conscious of God

12/29/2022

1 Peter 2:18-21 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

PETER specifically addresses people in the church who are slaves. Let’s be clear. Peter is not condoning slavery. Peter can’t change the Roman laws to end slavery. But he can teach these children of God how to be conscious of God.
   Christian slaves under a harsh master will be conscious of God when they submit to their masters with all respect. To respect a harsh master seems impossible. But being conscious of God, the slaves are to remember the sufferings of Christ for their eternal salvation. Christ has honored us who were once enemies of God with his tortuous suffering at the hands of unjust, brutal “masters”. In the same manner as Jesus, a slave must bear up under the pain of unjust suffering.
   Peter urges the slaves to be conscious of God, so they will accept their trials as a calling. Yes, this is a very difficult purpose God had given them. But it is not more than what the incarnate God has experienced. In their suffering, the slaves have an opportunity to enter into a more personal faith with the Lord, who has suffered. Jesus’ suffered to reveal God’s glory. The abused slave had an opportunity to do the same.
   Peter knew what he was teaching. He had watched Jesus suffer. He had experienced the death of his fellow apostle James at the hand of Herod. He had suffered in prison at the hands of the ruling Jews.
   In the church’s history there are many testimonies from people who have suffered horrible tortures at the hands of radical anti-Christ movements and governments. They have testified to how they remained conscious of God as they suffered. Instead of seeing themselves as victims, they focused on the Son of God’s suffering, so one day they would enter into eternal freedom from all suffering. This awareness turned their minds to rejoice in the glory they possessed as Jesus’ treasured possession. Sometimes their faithful response turned hateful prison guards and torturers to a strong, life-transforming faith in Jesus.
   We are all called to suffer at some time in some way in our lives. If we are conscious of God in those circumstances, we will grow more deeply into a holy relationship with him. You will come to know that through all trials, you can claim victory in Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. It is forever. Praise God.

For the Lord's Sake

12/27/2022

1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

THE church’s history records much ignorant talk of foolish men regarding Christians. Early Christians were thought to be cannibals because people misunderstood the Lord’s Supper. For 2,000 years history records many persecutions of faithful believers because foolish authorities considered them threats to their government. State churches – those established by governments such as the Church of England – have persecuted many who put God’s Word above their laws. Today foolish men arrest and fine Christians because they stand on the Bible’s truth regarding sexual morality and the principles of marriage. You can easily think of ways the church or your faith is challenged in your specific culture today. Foolish talk comes from minds fooled by evil deceit. They speak with authority against the church, but they know nothing of God’s magnificent authority to rule his eternal Kingdom. As we are commanded to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44-45) we must always be of a mind to teach God’s truth to those who are ignorant of God’s holiness.
   Peter says one way we can stop foolish talk is to submit to government authorities. When we submit to the government, we avoid needless conflict and reduce the opportunity for foolish men to accuse to us. Obeying laws is not an issue for most of us.
   But the question arises: “What if the law conflicts with God’s law?” Peter had an answer for this in Acts 5:29. When the authorities commanded Peter and the apostles to stop teaching Christ crucified, they replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” Then they continued to teach the gospel. Acts 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. When a civil law conflicts with God’s law, we must remain steadfast to submit to God. If you are persecuted for your truth stand, you will glorify God and be counted righteous in his sight. Jesus said that in Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
   The church’s history is one of faithful people persecuted for Jesus’ sake. This persecution began with Jesus and extends to current daily news reports of people even being jailed for thinking a prayer! The ignorant and foolish reject God’s truth because it forces them to reject their basic desires to please self. When Peter wrote submit yourselves, he highlights the greatest challenge of the human soul. We do not want to submit to anyone, especially the One who calls us to a holy life.
   Still, we know it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Your task is to submit to God’s goodness, so you will be God’s instrument to help the ignorant and foolish become wise in the ways of God.

Active aliens Awaiting Jesus

12/26/2022

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

HAVE you ever considered you are an alien in the world? In Jesus, you are born again, aren’t you? Your faith takes you into a Spirit-driven life that puts aside the old life to wear the new clothes of your salvation. The apostle Paul writes it this way in Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
   You know you are alien in the world when your primary desire is to seek God first each day. He is your Shepherd to guide you on the paths of righteous for his name’s sake. You desire to learn and do God’s will, and you put this ahead of the world’s will for your life.
   There are many ways this can become real for your life. You might choose a particular career because it will enable you to help people in a manner God has gifted you. The ways you distribute your money will be God’s ways. You put aside funds to support the church and Christian organizations. You tithe in the manner God directs you. Jesus’ aliens in the world see their material possessions as God’s gifts to use for God’s purposes.
   How else might you be an alien in the world? Do you reject gossip and degrading language? Are you patient and kind to others, even when you might be frustrated? Have you decided to let go of certain relationships that turn you from Jesus? Has your former pride become humility, selfishness become selflessness?
   Jesus summarized the alien life in the Sermon on the Mount. Some of those actions are listed in the beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-11. Aliens will be blessed when they desire to learn more of God, to mourn for their sins, to be meek, to partake of God’s righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to be peacemakers and to be willing to be persecuted for Jesus’ sake. In this alien life, Jesus also tells us we will be the salt of the earth and
let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) Aliens in Jesus live active lives with Jesus.
          One more thing aliens do: they await the day he visits us. The world’s citizens have no hope, no expectation of the Christ to come again. But we do. Aliens know he will come, and we await his coming. That’s why we wait with an active alien life. The Spirit has set our lives apart from the world, so we can prepare the world for the Savior’s return.

Growing Up

12/23/2022

1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

PETER urges the church members to grow up to be a mature, pure Christian. This requires they continually work to remove any sin that hinders their spiritual life. His list of five sins, of course, is not inclusive. Perhaps these are the most visible sins. His point is clear: take action to become pure.
   This is our responsibility to live into God’s enduring word. As God calls and empowers us to faith in Jesus, we then have the opportunity to decide how to live into God’s eternal life gift. Old habits and mindsets do not readily leave us, even if they harm ourselves and keep us from others and Jesus. Unforgiveness, for example, is perhaps one of the most common sins that stains our hearts. Or we may have some habit that harms our bodies. We need to remove emotional and physical habits that infect our relationship with Jesus.
   How is your mind? Four of the five sins Peter lists in verse 1 are sins born in our thoughts. Unclean thoughts lead to impure acts. That’s why Jesus said even our thoughts can convict us: Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
   It’s difficult to do what Peter says, isn’t it? That’s why he gives us a way to change. We must decide to have different minds. As a newborn needs nurturing milk, we can choose to feed our minds with God’s imperishable, living and enduring word.
   Reading the Bible, participating in a Bible study, listening to Christian music and hearing sermons are essential mind-nurturing food. Jesus offers us this food: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.” (John 6:35-37) The Lord longed for his people to flush away impure thoughts. A cleansed mind is ready to be nurtured. Feed it well, so you will grow up with the imperishable, living and enduring word.

Imperishable, Living, Enduring Word

12/22/2022

1 Peter 1:23-25 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

HAVE you opened your Christmas gift? It’s available to you today, tomorrow, Christmas morning and each day of the year. Even more, the gift is yours for eternity. Your Christmas gift is life. It gives a new birth, a new beginning into your eternal life. Yes, the gift is the imperishable, living and enduring word of God.
   You know the gift because it was preached to you. The preaching is founded on the truth of God’s revelation to the world when the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. While Jesus dwelled among us, he showed us the Father: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:9) The word preached to us reveals God.
   The imperishable, living and enduring word of God is further revealed when the apostles saw his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Yes, the apostles had witnessed the glory of Jesus’ transfiguration, resurrection and ascension. They had also seen the Spirit gloriously transform lives through physical and spiritual healings, even resurrections of bodies and souls. Each apostle knew he had been born again into a new life of faith to reveal Jesus to the world.
   The imperishable, living and enduring Word is God’s Gift to open the good news of salvation into eternal life. Even though our bodies are like grass that will one day wither and fall, the word of the Lord stands forever.
   Indeed, the opened gift stays open. Oh, you might attempt to close it by putting it aside and out of sight. But once the gift has changed you, you will always be new in Christ. Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   Through all trouble and persecution, God’s imperishable word lives and endures. He has shown us.

Reverent Fear

12/19/2022

1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

PETER calls the church to right living in reverent fear of God. What does that mean? One way to explain this is to look at Moses’ life. The LORD God transformed Moses from a shepherd in exile into the great prophet, lawgiver and deliverer. Then Numbers 20 tells us Moses sinned. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, so water would come from it. This would display the Lord’s glory to Israel. But in anger Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. Then God judged Moses. “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:11,12) God’s judgment was impartial. His great leader and prophet did not escape the Lord’s correction. Moses still passed into eternity. But God held him accountable for his sin. In his sin, Moses for a moment did not revere God. He did not honor God, and he had no fear of God’s judgment.
   Reverent fear is to honor and respect God’s love for you with a great desire to please him. Reverent fear is also passionate respect for Almighty God. Too many people refer to God as the “guy in the sky” or some other irreverent term. This is an attempt to bring God onto our level, so we can more casually ignore his commands in willful disobedience.
   To revere God means you hold him on the highest level in your heart, mind and soul. You understand he is the authority to lead your life. “Reverent fear is evidenced by a tender conscience, a watchfulness against temptation, and avoiding things that would displease God.” (from Bible Knowledge Commentary) Reverent fear is expressed through a fervent desire to know God through Scripture, teachings, prayer, meditation and obedience.
   For the Christian, God’s judgment does not remove us from his salvation. But he does discipline us. And one day we all will be judged accordingly: Romans 14:10-12 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
   This does not judge our salvation. We are saved by faith in Christ. But the Lord Jesus will evaluate our works one day. As you serve the Master in reverent fear, your love for God should cause you to desire he says to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Luke 19:17)
   The prophet Zephaniah has a wonderful view of God’s people working together. Zephaniah 3:9 “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” People joined together in reverent fear of God will love God and love one another. Such a church will glorify God’s name and be a light unto the nations.

The Holy Road

12/18/2022

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

PETER used Scripture to teach the church. When Israel began their journey to the Promised Land, God commanded his people several times to “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44) Israel’s journey into God’s promise was physical and spiritual. They needed to put away their old lives and set themselves apart from idol worship, their own pleasures and things of the world that kept them from God’s commands. The same is true for the Christian life. A journey with God directs you onto a physical and spiritual road. Your life will change when you know, believe and live God’s Word.
   Peter teaches the holy life is an active journey: 1) Prepare your minds. 2) Be self-controlled. 3) Set your hope. 4) Do not conform to the evil. 5) Be holy in all you do.
   Prepare your mind. Your holy journey requires good fuel for your mind. Jesus’ truth fuels an active mind that powers your faith to step away from sin and walk with Jesus. Engines do not run on empty, and they cannot function well on poor fuel. The Spirit’s pure power will fuel your mind to obey God’s truth.
   Your active, prepared mind will teach you to be self-controlled. Without God’s power, we have no ability to resist evil. The Spirit lives in you. With his power you can say, “No.” to detours into evil and you can say, “Yes.” to the right way to truth. A holy mind knows the right signs. Follow them.
   As you continue on your holy road, you must know your destination. This is your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. The gospel is God’s gracious gift to lead you to heaven. The journey will be complete when Jesus comes again to reveal his majesty and authority to the world. You are to set your mind to this eternal future. Know where you are going. Rejoice God has prepared a place for you.
   Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. The devil is actively working to turn you away from your holy road. You must actively resist him with spiritual strength, wisdom and faith. Turn your eyes and mind from sin. Turn your eyes and mind toward God’s righteousness to maintain a true holy journey. To be holy in all you do is a high calling to faithful living. We may believe this is too much for us to accomplish. Consider, though, the Holy God wants you to be as he is. He has made a way for you to travel a holy journey unto himself. His gracious love and kindness extends to you each moment of each day. As a Christian, you have the Spirit’s power to move toward God. Release any doubt or weariness and embrace the faith and strength the Lord has given you.

Glory to Gold

12/17/2022

1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to the prophets that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

DEAR Christian, do you serve a future generation of Jesus’ church? This was the role of the prophets. From Noah to Abraham to Moses and on to the final prophetic Word from John the Baptist, all prophets served their current generation and the future church. They obeyed God to proclaim his Word. His Word was preserved in their lifetime, so the gospel message would go to the next generation. The prophets revealed God’s plans and promises now fulfilled in the gospel.
   As a member of Jesus’ church, your role is the same. You are to reveal and treasure God’s Word, so it remains sacred for the current and future generations. Study the Bible and honor Spirit-inspired sermons to look into – to examine and know – the great truths God offers you. Rejoice God has fulfilled his prophetic Word through Jesus Christ. Live in faith he will fulfill his future promises.
   You will not be alone in your joy. Peter says the angels long to look into these things. In other words, the angels treasure the gospel’s fulfillment. They eagerly awaited God’s promise to save the world. The angels knew God would gather the Jews and Gentiles together, so mankind would be saved through Jesus. Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
   Yes, glory to God. The Savior has come. The angels now savor God’s favor of salvation upon the world. They gaze upon the gospel in wonder and joy. People who once were God’s enemies are gathered into God’s church. Joy to the world!
   Do you treasure the gospel? Do you long to look into the things of God through reading the Bible and listening to Spirit-inspired sermons? Are you excited God continues to fulfill his plan to draw the nations to salvation in Jesus Christ? Peter encouraged the persecuted church to joyfully treasure the knowledge God had given to them. They were highly favored!
   This holds true for us. Amid persecutions globally today and even within our culture that continually criticizes and ridicules the church, it is easy for us to become discouraged. We might even see our knowledge of God’s Word as a threat to relationships with friends and family.
But God wants you to cherish his Word, to daily look into the things he has fulfilled. And why wouldn’t we do so? After all his gospel is why you can happily say, “Glory to God in the Highest.”

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Proclaiming God’s Favor in the Power of His Word
2 Cor 6:3 I tell you, now is the time of God's favor,
now is the day of salvation.