Friday, December 16, 2016

1 Peter 5 An Unfading crown of glory

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" 1 Peter 5:4

     Peter was writing to people in 1 Peter those who were suffering or that had suffering coming very soon upon them.  He wanted them to know that their suffering was not in vain.  We also need to remember that God sees the heartache and trials that we go through.  He sees when we don't return an insult, give generously, have compassion and pray for the hurting.  Peter also wanted them to be very aware that the attacks that they experienced had their origins not only in people, but in demonic and unseen forces at work.  Peter makes that very clear here in 1 Peter 5.  The chapter begins in the first three verses with a word to those who had oversight duties.

     Peter tells those who were shepherds over God's flock to exercise oversight with eagerness and being a good example.  I tell parents all the time when talking about their children in counseling sessions that many things such as a way that the parent has with dealing with anger is more caught than taught.  In other words, children learn by watching our example.  They are like little tape recorders going about watching how we react to things.  Their sensitive little souls take in every slight, hurt and wound and it has profound effects on children.  Likewise, many of us learn how to be a christian or what it looks like by godly examples of others around us.  Of course, our primary example is Jesus, but we also look to others for daily help in how to live out our faith.  It is so important that those of us who have been believers for a while realize that we are being watched.

      Peter follows with three commands in rapid succession  First, humble yourselves before God.  The reason for this is that God opposes the proud.  Jesus said in Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted."  This exhortation comes with a promise that God will lift you up at the right time.  Also notice in 1 Peter 5:10 it says that at the right time God will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

     The second command is in verse 7 "casting all your anxiety upon HIm, because He cares for you."  This is repeated throughout scripture (Ps 37:5, 55:22).  We aren't to keep our concerns bottled up to ourselves.  The line of communication is open between the believer and heaven.   It reminds me of what it says in Hebrews 4:16

    "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."

Also

    "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7, NASV

   The third command is similar to what Peter said in 1 Peter 1:13 when he encouraged them to be "sober in spirit".  The reason that Peter gives for this is that the devil is roaming like a lion looking for someone to devour.   This is similar to what Paul said in Ephesians 6:10-16   The christian road is a narrow road and not one that is promised to be without difficulties.  But, there are so many promises available to the believer that there is reward and blessings for being faithful.  Peter refers to this in verse 4 when he says that the Chief Shepherd will appear and you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  The word crown there is a greek word stephanos which is Peter's way fo saying a blessedness for being a genuine follower of HIs.


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Sharing in His Sufferings 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory; you may rejoice with exultation"

    I was reading the other day about Christian who live in Iraq and how they have suffered at the hands of ISIS.  Many who lived in territories where ISIS was had their property taken away, churches were destroyed and people were tortured, raped and murdered.  Many believers were struggling after ISIS left to come to terms with this and why God did not protect them from this persecution and in many cases martyrdom.  Yet, suffering for the sake of Christ is not new.  It is rather the exception that the American churches have enjoyed for the most part freedom from persecution.  Persecution has actually been more the rule of thumb for believers than the exception.  Jesus said himself in John 15:19-20.

  "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me then they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also."

   Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the disciples warn that we have a choice to make.  We must chose who we will love either the world or Jesus. (see 1 John 2:15-17)   If it is Jesus, then we will not be loved by the world.  It is actually one of the characteristics of the believer that he or she will be persecuted in some ways (see 2 Timothy 3:12).  For the believer, this testing or trial is not for the purpose of punishment but for purification. 

    "And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

    Peter says the same thing as what Jesus said in Matthew 5:11 when he said we should consider ourselves blessed when we are persecuted because the prophets were before us.  James said this testing or as Peter calls it "fiery ordeal" is in order to produce endurance.  (James 1:3)  The word "at the fiery ordeal" verse 12 is the word pyrosis which means a burning, a trial to test character.  It says even Jesus went through times of suffering (Hebrews 5:8).

      "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.  Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you". Matthew 5:11-12, NASV

     "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8

    I am mindful of the fact that every time I write a blog there are readers from other parts of the world where there is persecution.  I see that people have visited from far away places like China where the Christian faith is greatly persecuted.  It is one of the great things about blogging like this that I can speak to people who are in places I will never visit in person.  Tens of thousands of people all over the world have visited this site over the last few years.  Far more people than I would most likely ever speak to face to face.

     If I had a word to say to those who are suffering in Iraq or anywhere else around the world where you are being persecuted I would remind you that the believers in the 1st century, the apostles and many other before you have also suffered.  It is not a sign that God is somehow not pleased with you.  It is not a sign that he has forgotten you.  It is not a sign that he is not powerful enough to save you.  It is a sign that you are his because he suffered on this earth also.  He will reward you for your suffering one day. 

     Peter calls on those who are suffering in verse 19 to "entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in dong what is right"  The word entrusted in the NASV is the same word commit which Jesus used on the cross when he committed himself to the Father when he died.  The emphasis is on the words "faithful Creator".   We can commit our souls to himself because he is both faithful and our creator.
 

Psalm 32:5-7 God is Ready and Eager to Forgive

  Psalm 32:3-7 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me...