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.
 

Family relationships

 

 "To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."  1 Peter 3:8-9, NASV

     Peter is writing to families in this section,that really began back in chapter two, but now continues through chapter 3.  He discusses the relationship that a wife and husband have together.  Then sums up what he is saying in verses 8-9 with the above words.  The key word in verse 8 is "all".  This isn't a command for one person or the other, but everyone is included.  Peter included a warning for husbands in his earlier passage that if the husband did not treat his wife with honor and a fellow heir his prayers would be hindered.

     I'm reading this book right now by Gary Smalley called "The DNA of Relationships" and in it Smalley talks about having a "No Lose Policy" when it comes to arguments within the family.  He says that when members of a team play a game they either all win or all lose.  If one person loses then they all lost because they are all members of the same team.  Likewise, God sees the husband and wife as one and it is impossible for one to lose and another to win.  If one person loses then we all lose.  If I treat another person where they feel demoralized, shamed or rejected then I have lost even if I have won the debate or argument.  I have lost because I have treated a person that Jesus died for in a way that is not honoring.

   This relates also to our relationships with fellow believers in the church.  Because we are all a part of the same family.  If one of us loses then all of us lose.  I know that this happens on a regular basis in Baptist church.  It causes churches to split and members to stop talking to each other.  What would the difference be if believers realized that if I treat another believer with dishonor, disrespect or a lack of love I have already lost though I may in some sense win an argument?  I wonder how a typical Baptist business meeting would look different if we took this approach?  That one of the most important qualities is that even if we disagree in some areas we still treat one another with honor and respect. 

    One other thing that I have read not only in Smalley's book, but in other places lately is the "power of one".  This means that I am responsible for all of my actions, feelings, beliefs and feelings and that I can't blame you for them.  I have to take personal responsibility for myself.  So, if you chose to act in a manner that is more like a gorilla in a cage at the zoo, I still can't blame you for my behavior.  Your actions are yours and mine are mine.  I can still chose to treat you with respect, even if you chose not to treat me in that way.  This is a hard thing to do, but I have to realize that I can't blame another person for my behavior. 

    So, this passage is encouraging us to chose to behave in a manner that is harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit and not returning evil for evil.  In a sense, this is a great description of the way that Jesus treated other people.  One of the best ways that I can do this is to first focus on loving God and spending time with him and focusing on him and then remembering to love others because he loves them.  There is also a promise in this passage in verses 10-12, which is a quote from Psalm 34 which says that the eyes of the Lord are on those who are righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

1 Peter 1:22-2:10 A Christian house

    Some thoughts from 1 Peter 1:22-2:10.  One of the things that struck me as I read this passage was what a different view of the church God must have from what we do.  As you drive around your community you notice churches of various denominations such as Lutheran, Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist and some others.  From what I see in this passage, God doesn't see such divisions.  In fact, he sees no divisions at all.  We are actually all being used together to be built into a spiritual house. 
     I know I may get some criticism for speaking against denominations.  I was ordained in the Baptist faith as a deacon in 1997 and as a minister in 1998.  I have been a part of either the Methodist denomination my first 18 years of life and Baptist since then.  I know that there is some distinct differences in denomiations that we would disagree on.  But, I don't see these distinctions in heaven or in this passage.  God isn't going to have a Baptist heaven and a Methodist heaven or a Pentecostal heaven or a Episcopal heaven distinct and divided.  We are all going to be together.  We each have something to offer each other.  Perhaps that is one of the weaknesses of the church today, that we don't benefit from our differences since we are so divided.  We fall horribly short of the command here in this passage where Peter tells us to fervently love each other from the heart 1:22.  Is it any wonder that the devils' main goal is to divide Christians and cause bitterness, hatred and divisiveness.
Peter makes a few things very clear.
1. He tells us that our priority is to love fervently each other.  We do this under the power and authority of the Word of God which is imperishable.  Peter draws that distinction several times in this letter.  Our flesh is temporary and compared to grass, but the Word of God, which is our authority and empowerment is eternal and uncorruptable.  The word imperishable is aphthartos in the greek which means not liable to corruption or decay.  The word "love" that Peter uses here is both a brotherly love and an agape love. 
    Peter then tell us that one of the keys to this is that we are to long for the milk of the word.  Like a newborn baby crying out for the milk of its mother we are to long for the milk of the Word.  This is the nourishment we are to grow through.  Not something that nourishes us simply on Sunday, but something we go back to again and again.
2. The Cornerstone of the house that we are being built into is Jesus.  For some he is the stumbling stone or rock of offense.  This is for those who don't claim to be believers.  For those of us who do he is the cornerstone of our house.  We are all being used together as living stone to be built up into a house where spiritual sacrifices are offered.
     Peter was drawing a distinction between the temple that was a part of the Old Testament which was physical and this new temple which was spiritual.  He was also drawing a distinction between the people of God who are a chosen people or royal priesthood.  Before it was limited to the Levitical priesthood, but now a people are being called without distinction to human heritage.  These are people who were once not a people of God, but now are. 
3.  We are a spiritual house verse 5 "through Jesus Christ".  We don't have this authority in ourselves.  It is only through Christ that we have this authority.  Peter says that as a people of God we are called to "proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us of darkness into light.
4. That as a people of God our conduct is suppose to be different.  Peter and Paul both say this in various places such as Ephesians 4:22,25,31, Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 2:1.  You notice some of the same qualities in each of these text.  Each passages teaches us that we are to put off things like malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, anger, slander, bitterness.  Colossians 3 tells us that we are to put off the old man and put on the new man which is reflected in qualities such as love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control.  The fact that God sees us as one just as He is one is also by the way reflected in Jesus prayer in John 17, sometimes called the high priestly prayer of Jesus.

A Heavenly Inheritance 1 Peter 1:3-12

    I am studying the letter of 1 Peter and want to mention some things I considered from 1 Peter 3:-12.  One thing that I am struck by when reading these verses is in verse 3 where Peter talks about why we are born again.  This occurs, not because of what we have done, but because of the mercy of God.  I read this quote recently from Charles Spurgeon about God's mercy that says:

    "No other attribute could have helped us had mercy refused.  As we are by nature, justice condemns us, holiness frowns upon us, power crushes us, truth confirms the threatening of the law, and wrath fulfils it.  It is from mercy of our God that our hopes begin."

     Another place that mentions this in in Ephesians 2:4 where it says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved loves us, even when we were dead to our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).  You notice in this verse also that the emphasis is on God's love and mercy, not on what we have earned.  In fact, it isn't really grace if we had earned it.  It describes us as not having earned it, but when we received it being dead to transgressions. 

     Mercy is one of the great qualities of God that opens the door for us to be offered salvation and that gives us hope.  Peter says that this is a "living hope" of a inheritance.  In various places throughout scripture, it says that this inheritance is great and undefiled, just as it mentions it here.  In Romans 8:17 it goes on to call the believer, "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ."  Whatever it is that we are to inherit then it is great and awesome.  Our minds simply cannot contain all of it.

     Until that point, Peter says that our faith is going to be tested.  This is repeated over and over again  throughout scripture.  While we are here on earth, we will go through times where the trials will be like a furnace.  The furnaces purpose is to purify.  The purification process is in order to bring glory and honor to God's name.  James says the same thing in James 1:2-5, that we should consider it joyful when we go through various trials knowing that they have a higher purpose.  As well, so does verses such as Romans 5:3-5.  God wants to grow within us the qualities that his own son has qualities such as faith, goodness, love, mercy, gentleness, kindness, self-control.

     "and not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given for us."  Romans 5:3-5



     How many times do we understand when going through them that trials for the believer serve a purpose.  Not that we want to cause trials or suffer due to poor decision making or the sins of others or ourselves.  But, God takes even the bad and difficult things in life and uses them for his glory.  James doesn't tell people to be joyful because we like pain.  Rather, because he says that trials produce endurance and endurance works to make us complete.

    

comments about election

 Key passages: Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:16; Romans 6:16,18

    I have noticed with increasing feel of disgust and alarm how rapidly this Presidential campaign has come down to who can hit the gutter the least in term of moral and possibly criminal behavior.  Recent remarks of Mr.Trump about women have surfaced which demonstrate that he has made some very crude and sexist remarks in the past including comments about his own daughter.  It makes you think about what Jesus would think about this election?  If I am to be a true follower of his, then who would he have me vote for?  Or would he have me vote for anyone at all?  More than most elections, this one really should cause the believer to pause and consider what Jesus would think or do and how he would want you to vote.
   It really does come down to our relationship with Jesus.   I am called in the Bible a servant or slave of his.  Several times throughout scripture it says this including the way the apostles including Paul identified themselves.  You may notice at the beginning of almost every letter, Paul or whoever is writing refers to themselves as a bond-slave or servant.  A servant no longer has the privilege of doing what they want to do.  As someone who has been bought, much like a slave was auctioned of or bought, I now belong to the Lord.  The price was paid on the cross.
   So, it really does come down to who among those who are running for office are interested in the values which reflect Christian values?  Who is the one who seems to reflect that they know Him and care about His kingdom.  Because at the end of the day, the kingdom that as a believer I should care about is not so much the one here on earth, but the kingdom of God.  So, whose policies and character reflect that they also care about those same values?  How is this person helping to advance the kingdom of God.  This includes demonstrating that the person values people, has integrity, is honest and trustworthy, tells the truth, keeps their word, does what he or she says.
   Not only that, but whose personality and leadership style says that they love people?  For the most important commandments in the Bible are to love God and love other people.  If you love God then you will love other people.  The opposite of that is the love of self, money and putting things ahead of people.  This is the God that many in this country have bowed down too today, the God of selfishness, materialism and greed. 
    I would encourage you if you are a believer to take a step beyond just listening to campaign ads.  They have their own picture which they wish you to see which may not tell the whole story.  Look at the candidates voting record if they have any.  Looks at what their decision says about their values and what is important to them.  Take the extra step to look at the web sites of candidates and be an educated voter who looks at candidates with the eyes of someone who values loving God and loving others.  Paul was very clear that if we don't do those two things than it doesn't really matter what we do because the law is summed up in the idea that we should both love God and love others.

classes available through Dallas Theological Seminary

    I recently started taking a free class online regarding the Gospel of John put together by Dallas Theological Seminary.  The seminary President Dr. Mark Bailey is the teacher for this class.  It lasts for about 8 weeks and is formatted, so that if you don't want to wait for the next lesson you can continue at your own pace.  I am on week three and enjoy the lessons.  Here is a link to the courses online if you want to sign up for one

https://courses.dts.edu/

   I would encourage you to do this if you have half an hour a week to spare.  I believe doing something different like this periodically can greatly help to refresh your walk with the Lord and give you a new perspective.  Even if your not a seminary student or haven't studied the Bible much on your own these classes are easy enough that you would be able to get something out of them.

   In week three, Dr.Bailey was talking about how Jesus turned the water into wine.  This is one of the first public miracles of Jesus.  It actually started out as a request from Jesus' mother Mary for Jesus to help.  There is some speculation that Mary was a host at the wedding.  She did something really smart which was she brought the problem to Jesus.  She knew that he would care about the situation.  Which is important for us to remember as well, that we need to remember to bring all requests both big and small to God.

   Jesus reply at first seems discouraging because he says basically, "What is that to me?"  It can sound like he doesn't care to our ears, but that isn't what he meant.  Jesus was an obedient child and Mary was use to telling Jesus what he needed to do as his parent.  He was letting her know that he wasn't under her anymore.  That he was going to do the work the Father had for him and wasn't taking orders from her.  Jesus repeatedly says in the gospels that he is doing the work that the Father sent him to do.  Over 20 times in the gospel of John, Jesus refers to himself as one who was "sent".  He sees himself as being on a mission.  Then he sends his disciples before his ascension on a mission also.

How We Treat Each Other Romans 14

     I have been studying Romans 14 over the last week or two and came up some main points that Paul states that I wanted to meditate on and share with you.  Some may seem basic, but that doesn’t mean that we should not consider how we are acting on them to achieve them. 

1.     1.   The gospel is not about what I wear, eat, drink or what day I celebrate.  Colossians 1:16 says, “Therefore do not let anyone be your judge by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.  These are a shadow of the things that are to come; the reality is found in Christ.”   Some believers at that time recognized some days as more important than others.  To Paul, he clearly didn’t think that this was important.  Rather, he says in Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”   The truth is, where people try to pursue the law and legalistic thought tends to kill joy and peace.  While those who walk in Spirit are the ones who truly enjoy the peace and joy of the Spirit.  Paul says in Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  The kingdom of God is not just about what we do or don’t do, but whose we are. Also see Galatians 4:10-11

2.    2.    We are under one Judge-Christ and he does not need our help.  He is able to make us stand.  People judge by external characteristics.  They may think you’re holy or good based on external standards alone.  But, God doesn’t judge us that way.  He looks at things like motives and thoughts and what is going on in the heart.  Since I don’t know what is going on in the heart of another, I am not fit to judge others.  Not only that, but the believer is not my servant but God’s servant.  Paul says that he didn’t even judge himself.  The truth is, that God knows us better than we know ourselves. 

Paul says here in Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way” In Luke 17:1-2 Jesus said that it was inevitable that stumbling blocks would come up, but the one who creates the stumbling block would be better off if a milestone was tied around his neck and he was thrown into the sea.  Sounds like the Lord took stumbling blocks pretty seriously, I don’t want to be one.  I think to me this means that our actions and words should point others to Christ and not away from him or discourage others in their walk of faith. Also see 1 Cor 8:9; Romans 14:20; Romans 9:33

3.  3.     We are to act out of love and a desire for mutually building up others.  Romans 14:19.  The Bible makes it very clear that I should consider how my actions help build up or encourage others.  Paul goes into specifics in Romans 14 here about eating meat offered to idols.  We could replace this with a lot of other rules and regulations that are more likely issues of today such as working on Sunday, going to rated PG-13 movies or smoking or whatever.   Paul says that our motives for what we do should be out of love for others  (1 Corinthians 13) and not judge thinking about ourselves.  1 Corinthians 10:25-31 “do all for the glory of God.”

4.   4.    Paul says clearly that if your conscious bothers you when you do something then you shouldn’t do it.   A key verse is verse 23 “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”  So, if my conscious is bothering me by watching a certain movie or being in a certain place then I need to excuse myself and leave the situation because I am not acting out of faith.