Category: Sanctification

Sow to Yourselves Righteousness

On By TimIn Hosea 10, Righteousness, SanctificationLeave a comment

Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy, break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Hidden gems abound in the writings of the prophets. This is one of my favorites. In an agrarian way, God succinctly explains how things work. It is sowing and reaping.

In our own lives, we are responsible for the viability of the ground seed is planted in. That is if your own heart is willing to hear the words of God… No matter how hard they are to hear… That is breaking up the fallow ground.

The next step is to apply and do what you hear. That is, sow to yourself righteousness. The crop reaped is mercy. And it comes in bounties!

The time is now. Yea it is! It is time to seek the Lord. You cannot do it half-heartedly. It is a life-long loyalty.

Until He comes and rains righteousness upon you. In other words, you will be immersed in righteousness.

It is not doing good things that saves anyone. You cannot do enough. But it is hearing, heeding, and doing God’s will. And that is easy.

Acknowledge Who He is and what He says. That He did indeed come in the flesh, He died on the cross and rose again to give life to all.

Believe it is for you right now. Jesus did die for you; He did that for the pardon of your sins. He rose again, too. In that, He gives you new life.

Confess those things out loud. Tel Him your sins, too. He will faithfully remove those and cleanse you from al unrighteousness and give you the gift of eternal life.

He is Just

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Jesus, Justification, Love, Righteousness, Romans 03, Salvation, Sanctification, The Cross1 Comment

This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:22–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am certain all of us are familiar with this passage. In a bit of insomniac tossing and turning last night, I had a half-hearted discussion with God and He brought this to my mind.

It was after a challenging evening where past lies were dredged up and that the one doing it reported those as my legacy. Of course, the other person was a bit short on facts. Nevertheless, those old scars can hurt.

The person who brought the stuff up is rather lonely, abusive, and very embittered. That one is certainly not a believer, but an avowed atheist. The bitterness has cost lots of people time, aggravation, and real money. Some have had to endure abusive (really demonic) behavior.

I would ask God why someone like that gets to breathe His air for so long.

He gently reminded me of how longsuffering He is with me. He also gently asked why He ought not be as longsuffering with that person. And as He always does, there was that verse gently impressed into my mind… He might be Just and justifier.

You see, when we stand before God to give account, us believers have already been judged for our sins, those list of ordinances against us are nailed to the cross.

But there are those unbelievers and God-haters who will stand before Him at the Great White Throne. Those will be gently reminded of all they’ve done to rail against God. Why will be painstakingly obvious to all who watch, will be the longsuffering of God.

It’s a simple fact that His mercies are new, and He suffers long that makes Him just.

How often do we seek immediate justice for wrongs done to us?

Seriously, really give that some long consideration. Swift justice is indeed just. Yet something else comes to mind.

He has told you, O man, what is good—and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is so much talk around about justice. It is hard to find where the Bible instructs is to seek justice. I don’t think it does because God does. We are told to do justice, in other words, to act justly. It is our behavior we ought to control. And by the example given to us by Paul about God.

He says in another place that mercy triumphs over judgment. It is this mercy for all of us, that is supposed to gently lead us to repentance.

Think about that the next time someone disrespects you for something, I don’t care why it is or if it is for the ten-thousandth time. Your God suffers long for you, why would He not suffer just as long for your adversaries?

Suffering as a Privilege

On By TimIn 1 Peter 04, Daily Walk, Sanctification, SufferingLeave a comment

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory.

1 Peter 4:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are some who would divide Scriptures up to say that Peter writes to Jewish tribulation saints. This could very well be. Given the assumption that people reading the text are already in a fiery ordeal would make it seem so. Yet, as written to first-century Christians, persecution would be a real and intense thing to those saints then. It seems to follow, we ought really to expect no different.

By and large, many of us live in western societies where Christianity still has some form of acceptance. For those paying attention, we do note the tolerance of Christianity is becoming less widespread. We do have brothers and sisters throughout the world who do suffer real and intense (read that fiery) persecution. Some suffer even unto death.

As it does, we know not to take it personally as though it were against us. It’s against Him. Yet in Him, you are counted worthy to participate in His sufferings. What Peter is saying is to think of persecution as a privilege. One that will bring happiness in the presence of Jesus Christ.

We might be tempted to gloss over and read these things lightly, but that is a mistake. These are written for our preparation. Just as we’ve seen before in this epistle, set the mindset beforehand. Persecution isn’t something that should be thought of as strange or foreign. That is, like it won’t happen to us. It will.

If you are reproached because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

1 Peter 4:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Your suffering for Jesus’ name is a privilege. Though they blaspheme Him and His name because you suffer because of His name… He is glorified.

But not all suffering we might endure is because of Jesus.

Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or even as a busybody

1 Peter 4:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes the ordeals we suffer are brought on by our own actions.

Some think that Christians are supposed to be unable to sin. It’s like they believe in some sort of magic that keeps a believer from doing heinous things. Peter is clearly hinting that believers are capable of doing these things. But such is rather unseemly and incompatible with Christianity.

Nevertheless… Though a believer can and may do these things, it doesn’t mean that salvation is lost (as if that could really happen.)

My little children, I am writing these things to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

1 John 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We do have an advocate, and the sin may be forgiven… But that doesn’t mean the real-time consequences of that sin won’t be removed. Peter emphatically commands each of us to not reap suffering as a result of sowing our own sins. This means we ought to think soberly all the time; knowing that there is no sin such as is common to man. We can fall into a ditch of our own making. We must be diligent to not haphazardly put ourselves in such positions.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This gets really hard. Peter says we ought to really judge ourselves. Not just ourselves personally, but ourselves as it pertains to a local body of believers! This kind of judgment means that it is not limited to just judging our own actions.

This is not about whether a person is forgiven or not. When sin is confessed to God it is He Who is ready, willing, and able to forgive. Yet, there may be real-time consequences. Real-time consequences that may bring suffering to the entire body. These are going to affect the entire body of fellowship. Our standards of behavior must be tightly knit with that body of believers. We share the blessings. When sin enters, we endure the reproach, too. This means, if one is in sin and continues in it, such may be put out as we’ve been taught.

Remember the previous idea which Peter wrote?

He said love covers a multitude of sins. That is not meant as a way to hide them or cover them up. As this context is expanded to a body of believers, we need to deal with the shared consequences of the sin, even after it is confessed and forgiven. The individual will suffer. And the body will suffer, too.

Each of us ought to comport ourselves in this understanding, knowing that any of our sin can adversely affect not just ourselves, but the brothers and sisters we dearly love.

And “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
So then, let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

1 Peter 4:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Yes, we may be saved. But we can still sin. If we continue unabashedly in sin, what incentive will we have to witness to others?

It’s not a question of who is better, as we are all in the same situation without God. That is, we are doomed to eternal perdition. Though a believer is saved from eternal perdition, temporal suffering for sin is really real. Take it as Peter once again encouraging us to not sin as part of a testimony to those who are not saved.

In any way… When we do suffer whether it be by trial or the reaping of our own sowing to sin, we still trust God. He is the faithful Promise Keeper. In the midst of that trust, let’s continue to do good.

Live Honorably Even When Your Beliefs are Called Evil

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Sanctification1 Comment

Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Though this was written to Jewish believers, it stands with very poignant encouragement for today. The news is rife with the pressure being put on Christians to conform to society.

People call Christians evil because of perceived “intolerance.” (I need remind all, tolerance is the last bit of virtue to be championed in a decadent society.)

Amongst other instructions, these are given:

Do not repay evil for evil, or curse for curse, but on the contrary, bless, knowing that to this you are called, so that you may receive a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

By blessing others, it may seem as if we are giving the best stuff away to the least deserving. Yet, the promise still stands for those who give… Such receive a blessing.

They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.

1 Peter 4:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is exactly what is happening today. There pressure will continue to wax worse as the boundaries of decadence normalize what was once called perverse.

Peter also tells exactly why they speak evil. We do not join in with the decadence. We are called to bless and receive the sure reward. The promise still stands for them, also.

They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you are waiting to be judged, you’re already on the wrong side. There is Hope for all of us. Email me, and we can chat privately.

The Patient Suffering

On By TimIn 1 Peter 04, Daily Walk, Sanctification, TemperanceLeave a comment

Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

1 Peter 4:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)
Therefore.

Peter is using all he has written before. That is, what Jesus has already done for us. He even tells us of the patience of God. Even in suffering for us. Jesus did it in the flesh.

The work is done. Nothing else has to be done. In fact, God rested from all of His work on the seventh day of the creation week. Read that from Hebrews.

For He spoke somewhere about the seventh day like this: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.”

Hebrews 4:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If salvation is a work of God, it was completed before that seventh day. Of course, Jesus never made an advent in flesh, of the seed of woman until some 40 or so centuries later. That that work was done is evident in one of His titles, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From the reference in Hebrews above, the immediate context speaks of entering God’s rest. It’s a place of serving Him, as that passage slides to the Promised Land.

The plight of the Israelis in the desert is necessary for our understanding. They had been saved. As they left Egypt bound for God’s promise to them, they did suffer. Even before the disobedience that kept them from entering.

Peter is encouraging us, believers, to arm ourselves with the same mind as Jesus had. Suffering comes and accepts it as the will of God.

The Sufferer has Ceased from Sin.

Perhaps that last phrase in the verse becomes a bit difficult to apply. We may suffer in our flesh, but each of us may not clearly see we’ve actually created from sinning. That is not what is in view here.

Let’s look at the two verbs in the clause. The first is ‘has suffered.’ The subject is he. The tense in Greek is aorist, which conveys a simple (one time) occurrence. It doesn’t mean that a believer is only going to suffer once. It means the suffering accomplished a purpose. Just as Jesus died once for sins. It is also in the active voice. Has suffered is also in the active voice. This means that the subject is performing the action. He suffered.

The second verb is ‘has ceased.’ This verb comes to us in the perfect tense, which indicates that the action has already happened with continuing persistence or application to the present. It is rendered in the passive voice, which tells us that the subject is the recipient of the action. It is also in the indicative mood, which is a simple relating of fact.

Suffice it to say, the phrase ‘has ceased from sin’ carries an idea hard to discern in the English rendering. So far, we know the has ceased from sin is not something done by the subject but something is done for them. Another fascinating tidbit lurks in the nuance of the Greek word from which the English cease is translated. The nuance includes a gradual build-up.

An Immediate Release from Bondage.

so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh serving human desires, but the will of God.

1 Peter 4:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This idea works perfectly with what the rest of Scripture offers. Consider there Israelites again as they left Egypt for the Promised Land. They had been saved from the world (Egypt typifies the word and its system.)

They gradually moved to the Promised Land. This typifies the life’s progress of the believer. Even to the point that we get to that place of rest and never really enter because of unbelief. It’s a gradual journey.

In Conclusion.

We will settle here for now. As believers, we should be ready for suffering. Even to choose it just as Jesus did. For us, it is an end of sin.

We will inevitably fail. The encouragement from Peter is to set our minds in a certain direction, abstaining from satisfying our own needs. In so doing, we will cease from the bondage of sin.

Live Like Jesus

On By TimIn 1 Peter 03, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Jesus, SanctificationLeave a comment

Who is he who will harm you if you follow that which is good?

1 Peter 3:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a rhetorical question. One that Peter asks knowing the obvious answer. For us believers, as the previous citation of Psalms 34 teaches–the eyes of the Lord on the righteous, and He’s set His face against those who do evil. Considering that, there is nobody that can really harm us if we’re doing good.

It’s About Perspective.

In other words, we are to set our minds ahead, just as Jesus did. It is easy to see a simple explanation. Suffer here to live there, which is far better than living here to suffer there.

But even if you suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. “Do not be afraid of their terror, do not be troubled.”

1 Peter 3:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we do good and suffer for it, there is a blessing in that. Peter cites Isaiah 8:12 to bolster the truth that for the believer, eternity is secure. It is our real home. Remember, earlier he says we are aliens and refugees in this world. We should not partake of its lusts.

There is nothing in this world from which we ought to be afraid. It’s the next world where we reside already. This is inherent as Peter discusses this. He uses the dichotomy of flesh and spirit. We would die in the flesh. But live in the spirit. We ought not live in the flesh and die in the spirit.
Be Ready.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The expectation here is to be ready. Whether we are a newfound believer or not, we all ought to be able to give an answer to anyone that asks.

Given this era and the tendencies of the culture, suffering is right here in these sorts of discussions. Often the God-deniers would attempt to easily twist us up with all sorts of controversies. Their hope is that we will lose cool. But we are encouraged to learn to give an answer with gentleness. That is, to suffer under their needling.

We are to set aside the Lord in our hearts. This is to know that we have a ready-made sanctuary from where we can rest. It’s always in us as the Spirit of God dwells in us. Understand that. Rest in that. Even when being asked the most daunting of questions or confronting the most difficult of challenges—it is our conduct that brings shame to those who would accuse. Not the eloquent and erudite answers we might give.

Have a good conscience so that evildoers who speak evil of you and falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter has circled back to this juxtaposition of living it up here while in the flesh only to suffer in the next life. That is as opposed to suffering here to live in the next life. The latter is far better than the first.

In other words, there is no amount of suffering that can happen to you in this fleshly body that can even begin to compare of the suffering coming to those who do evil.

Live like Jesus

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit, by whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison, who in times past were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

1 Peter 3:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a long sentence to digest. Jesus once suffered for sins. He being just, died for the unjust. He put Himself in flesh and made Himself subservient to even death. By His death, that suffering once for sins, He satisfied the wages of sin. (The wages of sin being death, not an eternity in Hell.) This provides a respite of judgment due for sin. That is, sudden and sure death, which is often alluded to as being cut-off.

That He Might Bring Us to God.

It is not an automatic thing. There is a tacit understanding in that statement that each of us has a responsibility to come to God. This is the long-suffering of God.

He has put up with all sorts of evil and wickedness from the foundation of the world. It surely grieves Him. Yet He subjected Himself to that same evil, and even died. For what cause may be a question on the mind. It’s for us humans… You, me… All of us.

He suffers through the grief we all give Him, waiting patiently for the maximum number of folks to be saved. He gently asks us to do the same, and even gives us provision to do just that.

He Was Made Alive by the Spirit.

And that is how we are made alive. It’s by the Spirit. Of course, as believers, He indwells us, that’s that provision I spoke of previously. But it is by the same power in Jesus’ resurrection that we are made alive. Remember how Paul said it.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the resurrection. It’s the Spirit life that’s important.

He Went and Preached.

Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison. Most scholars agree that Jesus descended into Sheol, the abode of the dead. There is some disagreement on who the spirits are. Some say it is the dead people, good and evil. Others say it was to preach to those real fallen angels who are locked in chains until judgment that their plan to overthrow God didn’t work.

Let me explain succinctly. Since the fall, when God promised to destroy the enemy by the seed of the woman, Satan has sought to prevent that from happening. Before the flood, he ensures evil was rampant knowing God would have to judge that generation. The goal was to destroy humanity. Thus destroying the advent of the Savior. Yet evil was so bad, God did have to judge.

So God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence because of them.

Genesis 6:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When the promise of the seed was given to Abram, Satan had a people to destroy. He set in motion all sorts of ways to waylay Abraham’s lineage to prevent the Anointed One from being born.

When the Messiah came, Satan knew it. He persuaded Herod to put babies to death in order to stop God’s plan. When Jesus began ministry as John baptized Him, Satan met with Jesus. He (Satan) knew immediately Who Jesus is, the very God Who made him. In his mind, Jesus had come into his domain. Satan had the power there, he could kill God and cement his dominion of creation.

How that plan backfired with the resurrection! For all those minions of the evil one in prison and held for judgment, Jesus did go and preach. He assured them by showing them Himself alive in the Spirit, that they had made a grave error.

When you read the Scriptures, note how we never here another word ascribed to Satan after the resurrection of Jesus.

A Way of Rescue.

Just as God had planned to destroy the evildoers, He had a way of rescue in mind for Noah and his family. They were saved through water.

It is with this imagery that Peter continues.

Figuratively this is like baptism, which also saves us now. It is not washing off the dirt from the body, but a response to God from a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.

1 Peter 3:21–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Figuratively… Peter is not going to say that the water saves. Think of the dichotomy that has presented before, the difference between living in flesh and living in spirit.

It’s not that water baptism saves us. Water can only can wash dirt off of the body. It is the same Spirit that made Jesus alive that makes us alive. It is the one baptism, that immersion in the Spirit that rescues us.

Figuratively, it’s a picture given to us by baptism, being buried in the grave and rising in newness of life. It’s a proclamation of the good triumphing over evil. It’s a reminder to everyone looking on, that God surely saves. Yet as He did with Noah in times before, He saves us now.

It’s by pledge of a good conscience that we do water baptism. It’s symbolic. It’s a reminder of reality. In a way, it’s spiritual warfare. Every single time someone is baptized in water, it’s a visual reminder of the promises of God to both the believer and the scoffer. Even to the fallen angels that are of the principalities and powers that are now subjected to Jesus.

Time is short for those who do evil, and the coming incarceration is inevitable. There is a time of escape for humans. And just as God called Noah and his family into the ark and left the door open for seven days, He is still waiting for you to believe; to cease living in the flesh, and to live in the Spirit, for Him.

You are the only one responsible for how you will spend eternity.

Live as Servants of God

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, SanctificationLeave a comment

Dearly beloved, I implore you as aliens and refugees, abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

1 Peter 2:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Now comes the practical application again. This echoes Peter’s introduction to this epistle where he calls his audience pilgrims or refugees. We are taking temporary shelter in this world, its economies, and this fleshly body. Because we are made of the corrupt dust of this earth, and Adam ate of the fruit that corrupted our bodies, this body is only a temporary dwelling.

Therefore, in light of the sojourning, we ought to abstain from those things of the flesh. He outlined them at the beginning of this chapter; wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. These wage war against the soul, the immortal part of us. The fruit of such things leads to destruction and will not last.

If Peter is telling us to abstain from these, we are wholly capable. Though not in and of ourselves, but because of He Who lives in us. There are plenty of admonitions to put this stuff away from us. One of those is from Paul.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He gives us the opposite things to embrace and put on. Note how outwardly focused they are. These behaviors only exist when there is another person for whom we do them. Peter gives us an example, look at how Peter addresses those who He is speaking to as ‘dearly beloved.’

Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As royal priests, part of our service to God is praise. It is good to praise God. What better way is there to praise God by not doing the works of the flesh?

This is the idea Peter is addressing. The way we behave makes others take notice. The unbelievers are going to mock and scoff. That is for sure. But they will surely notice the way we comport ourselves.

There is a greater purpose in mind though, by acting rightly. It is to bring glory to God. It does it in real-time, yet there is a future time at the end of the age, where how you act will glorify God. It will be attested to by those who perish.

Response to Established Authority

Submit yourselves to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and to praise those who do right. For it is the will of God that by doing right you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

1 Peter 2:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Part of the abstention from the lusts of the flesh includes submission to every human authority. It’s not just some. We cannot pick and choose. I didn’t make that up, either.

Peter is going to give us many examples. Here, he begins with those who govern. We are to be law-abiding citizens. It’s not some legalistic idea, either. I think that thought enters the conversation as a coping mechanism. It is an escape from the cognitive dissonance that comes from the warring flesh with the soul. We need to be wary of using such things.

When we look for loopholes and escapes, it isn’t right. It is part of fleshly lusts. It certainly isn’t submission. And it doesn’t glorify God at all.

We do have freedom, but Peter is going to speak on that in a bit.

Peter is speaking of a particular authority here, government. He is saying that the governments are sent by God. That would include some we’d rather deny (for those of us in the US presidents Obama and Trump.) I know, it’s shocking. But we are told to submit to the authorities. It’s not just by Peter.

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey them, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but gentle, showing all humility toward everyone.

Titus 3:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Submission to authority is part of being ready for every good work. If we cannot submit, we cannot do good things. It’s a simple enough concept.

Humility and submission work together. There isn’t one without the other. It can clearly be said to vaunt oneself is not to be in submission. Contention isn’t submission nor humility either. (The idea of contention is more to think in terms of being discourteous.)

The one that gets most of us, though is that speaking evil of no one. How tempting is it to talk unseemly about folks in secret?

Doing the Right Thing has Rewards

First, it can silence accusers.

Jesus did that for us when He chose to submit to God and go to the cross. That is most important. Peter tells us that doing right silences the ignorance of foolish people. When we do right, there are none who can bring a bad report—even one founded in ignorance.

Live Free

As free people, do not use your liberty as a covering for evil, but live as servants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Peter 2:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We have awesome liberty in Jesus Christ. Paul said it this way.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things edify

1 Corinthians 10:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes in our freedom, we do choose to do something self-serving that is evil or causes evil. We might give an excuse, “God will forgive.” That is clearly wrong. Usually, evil comes as a result of serving self. Such things we do in our freedom cause irreparable harm to those around us. It ought not to be so.

Paul connects our liberty to circumspection. That is, we need to be concerned more so with those around us than our own selves. If we are serving others before ourselves, there is very little chance for those actions to be considered evil.

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

1 Corinthians 10:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is how we are to use our liberty, to serve others. By so doing we serve God. We honor all. We love our brothers and sisters. This brings honor to God and those who govern us.

We can seek our own desires, having that liberty. There is no honor in that. There is no reward. There is no glory to God.

Let us look first to fulfill the needs of those around us. That way, nothing bad can be said about us.

It’s Time to Take in Jesus and Put Away the Former Things

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Fruitfulness, Jesus, Love, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Therefore put away all wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.

1 Peter 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Because of all the things Peter addresses previously, we ought willfully live differently. That means putting away the former things we did by habit.

That different way of living would have us rid ourselves of wickedness in any form. We need to stop being deceptive in word and deed and live what we preach. It also means not measuring ourselves against any other coveting things we don’t have. One of the hardest to rid ourselves of is slander. We love to talk about others because we measure them against our own righteousness.

We need to live and act differently. Why?

for you have been born again, not from perishable seed, but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

1 Peter 1:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You’re a different person. Act like it!

As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow, if it is true that you have experienced that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter has introduced his epistle with the idea of a new birth given from imperishable seed, that is by the mercies of God. In like fashion, he uses the idea of how babies mature. Babies need nourishment to grow. A baby desires the satisfying nourishment from a mother’s milk, and because of our new birth, we ought to desire the same from the Word of God. In the same way that babies grow by the nutrients in the milk made purposefully just for them, so is the sure Word of God meant for our growth.

Jesus is that Word. And He is our example in all things. By taking that in, we learn to put away those former sins.

Yet this is not for all.

It is only for those who have experienced that the Lord is Good. And He is. He has given us a new birth by His blood.

That is my hope for you. It’s not good enough to just believe that Jesus is. That doesn’t save you. It is trusting in what He’s done. He took what is due to you for sin… All of it. He died your death and rose again conquering your death. Really!

It’s because He rose again that you, too, can be born again. Just by believing all of that is true, and the mercies He extends to you are yours.

Right now, wherever you are… You can say a few words to Him. Tell Him that you believe what He’s done and that He is indeed the Ransom for you. The only One Who can conquer death is God. Know that He is God. Ask Him to save you. And then confess your sins.

It’s ABC simple. Acknowledge, Believe, Confess.

Guard your Minds

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Fruitfulness, Jesus, Last Days, Redemption, Salvation, SanctificationLeave a comment

Therefore guard your minds, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not conduct yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the text leading to this, Peter talks about salvation and how it came to us. It was foretold by prophets who saw it dimly, not quite understanding. They wanted to know it better. We also know that angels want to look into it. The conclusion Peter arrives at is to be warily sober as we live. Knowing that redemption is ours now, even though it will be complete at Jesus’ coming.

Think about it. The prophets of old did as God obstructed. They knew God and feared Him. Not that they were afraid, it is a very real reverence. In that, they were careful to do the things He instructed.

Reading the Old Testament, these prophets did say and do some rather memorable things at the instruction of God. They, too, were sober and circumspect to do things orderly as He directed.

Some of the things these prophets are asked to do include cooking food over fires made with dung and marrying a harlot who would return to her harlotry only to take her back again. These ideas seem outlandish.

They were for our instruction.

As Peter said, it was revealed to these prophets that they weren’t serving themselves, but us. Peter is exhorting us to know that we are serving others presently and in the future. Someone is paying attention to how we live out our Christianity. In fact, I am going to say that someone’s salvation may hinge on it. Not because we saved them, but right conduct in daily living pointed them to Jesus.

Conduct ourselves righty.

This naturally follows guarding our minds. We live new lives and not in the former old way. Peter uses the word lusts. It doesn’t necessarily connote a sexual idea. It is better understood as seeking first to the satisfaction of our own needs before we do so for others.

Formerly, we did that because we knew no other way. Now, having been enlightened, we are called to live circumspectly. He reminds us of the words of our Master, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourning.

1 Peter 1:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If we are conducting ourselves in reverence to God, we live out holiness.

We must be careful to not do the works that have nothing lasting, that is caring primarily for just our own needs. These things will be confined under judgment. We must have an outward focus, directed toward others’ needs and meeting them. These are the things that will survive judgment.

For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain way of life inherited from your fathers with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Vanity is the old life of ignorance.

Before Jesus, the way to survive was to look out for numero uno. We did what was needed to survive and try to accumulate stuff. For some of us, that accumulation was enhanced by inheriting our parents’ things at their death. Either way, the practice was inherited for not knowing any better.

Our corruptible bodies would eventually expire. We all have an appointment with death. But what if we’ve worked hard to accumulate… If we couldn’t consume it all, it would be passed on to our progeny.

Without Jesus, most live this way, to accumulate and consume possessions. That is vanity.

All that energy is expended for things that perish and have no value in the next life. None of it redeems us. It cannot. It will perish. As would we without Jesus. Rich or poor, it’s the same way.

Without blemish or without spot.

He could only be perfect. He had to be God. It was only the blood of Christ that did redeem.

Remember that God took on this humanity. In that glorious union of the Divine with human, was a man with blood. Precious blood came from a perfect life. God is imperishable, and the blood price He paid is imperishable.

That is the better way. It is the better inheritance to share with our progeny, and everyone else.

Those Who are Sanctified are All of One

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Last Days, Return of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember how we discussed previously how our salvation will be revealed in the last time. This is a reference to a time yet future that will be the end of this temporal existence. But this salvation is not hidden from us or others but is continuously being received until its full revelation at the end.

The Old Testament prophets received from God the revelations of the Spirit of the Anointed One, Jesus. Though they didn’t clearly understand the mysteries hidden in the revelations they were given. That is, the grace extended to the gentile nations. Of which we benefit.

Paul also spoke of it. He called himself a steward of God over a commission given specifically to him for us gentiles.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was a truth hidden in the past.

Now, it’s almost fully revealed. What I mean is, those old-time Israeli prophets spoke of both a suffering Messiah and a triumphant Messiah. Though the prophets diligently sought to know what we know, His suffering has already been revealed to the world. It is recorded for us to read.

The glories to come are still for some future time when our salvation will be fully revealed. And that to the glory of Jesus!

We know the sufferings of the Messiah and in a similar fashion as they, we look forward to the glorious appearing and consummation of time when all is fulfilled. (The time when the New Jerusalem comes down from God.)

His triumphs and glories, though very real today and being revealed in us His saints… Are yet for a future time when He returns to Earth. When He defeats the evil that preys on humans and the world. He then takes the throne of David and rules Jerusalem and Earth. It will be as God had desired from the beginning, humanity having dominion over creation. After which Jesus will finally and gloriously put an end to the rebellion.

Those prophets knew they were serving a people yet future. Such things have resulted in your salvation. Those first-century Christians shared the testimony of the Jewish prophets who spoke of the sufferings of the Anointed One. They could show them this very same Jesus that was known among them and attested of long ago.

Why would angels want to look into these things?

Angels serve humanity. These are things also revealed by these messengers of God to men. These messengers desire to look in on. It’s salvation. The hope of glory that lives in each of us who are saints.

Considering that humans were made of the dust of the ground, with the breath of God breathed into us, we are not made in the same hierarchy as angels. We are made a little lower and intimately united with the physical reality we occupy. Humans are made of the very dust of which the earth is made.

We also have a spirit that connects to the reality that supersedes ours. Better said, it is the supernatural realm where spirits dwell. Because of sin, that reality has been veiled to us.

It’s these glorious heavenly angels who were assigned to serve the dirt creatures. It’s like that in God’s economy. The older serves the younger, the least is greatest.

That idea has been corrupted, though. When sin entered, the dirt creatures took upon themselves the desire to be like God. They fell away. And corrupted His order by serving their own selfishness. Not serving others, let alone the least.

What is this?

That the very Creator of these dusty men would humble Himself and add that very same dusty nature. He would step that low, placing Himself even under the angels.

I am thinking wholly of the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews and how eloquently it describes the suffering and then triumphant Messiah. This is how the author says it:

But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

Hebrews 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This speaks of how Jesus came to us as One of us, made lower than the angels. Yet at the same time, crowned with glory and honor. (Yet to be revealed in the last times and for which we patiently wait.)

It was that sin. Rebellion was taken on by creatures made of dust. That very thing would be used to defeat sin and death.

Sin earns wages paid in blood. The God of all paid His own blood to satisfy the wages of sin. Sin had no claim on Him, but death attempted to master Him.

The enemy, thinking this would be a perfect way to vanquish God, seized Him. He was crucified and died. Being perfect, death really had no claim on Him.

Yet His blood was shed.

His divine-human blood was the perfect payment for an infinite human debt. A debt He didn’t owe, but one that encumbered all of humanity was completely satisfied.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I can scarcely comprehend that. Even as I write this stuff. It’s above my pay-grade. Yet I know it is true.

There is more.

This Son of God is now (also) a Man. (I am writing it like that for lack of a better way to understand. The Son of God took on humanity. The divine and human United in One. I italicized the One to emphasize not only this but the Unity of Father-Son-Spirit.)

He has wrested the rights to dominion over the creation as God had intended at creation. Men will master it. In this case, One Perfect Man.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of One.

Hebrews 2:10–11a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look.

Now is the time to recall why One is emphasized earlier.

God becomes the Author of salvation by that suffering. The suffering that came by submission to His own creation.

It could only be done with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Blood that only exists in our temporal physical reality. Angels don’t have blood. Blood cannot be shed for them. That is why those fallen spirits tremble at the name of Jesus. Their destiny is sure and there is no hope for them.

Angels were made higher than humans. The Creator made Himself human. He placed Himself lower than them. He died, rose again. Setting humans higher than angels. (Do you not know you are going to judge angels?)

Just as Jesus partook of the nature of humanity, taking it wholly upon Himself… He invites us dirt-creatures to partake of the divine nature. It starts at our salvation when He comes to live in us.

Those who are sanctified are all of One.

We celebrate that every single time that we come to the Lord’s Table. As we hold in our hands the broken bread and the wine, these represent His human body broken for us and His human-yet-divine bloodshed from it. We are to take that inside of us. It’s a typification of what is yet to be revealed. We partake of the divine nature.

But to partake, one needs to be like Him. We all need to humble ourselves.

1. Acknowledge in our minds that the things written about Him are really real.

2. Believe that what He says is really real. That He rose again. That is for us. Trusting in it like you would trust a chair to hold you up by sitting in it.

3. Confess the truth out loud with our mouths. And the. Confess our sins to Him asking Him to remove them completely.

That’s the first step to partaking in the divine nature. You are then given new hope through the resurrection.