Tag: Suffering

Clothed in Rainbows of Living Color

On By TimIn Love, Revelation 04Leave a comment

I quoted the lyrics of the Revelation Song. This is for you, the reader, to have a proper frame of mind. The song points directly to the Apostle John’s experience on Patmos. He was called up to heaven and had the privilege of seeing the throne of God. He described it like this:

Immediately I was in the Spirit. And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne! And He who sat there appeared like a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne, appearing like an emerald.

Revelation 4:2–3

John was not the first to see this. Ezekiel had a vision of the throne of God. He wrote down a similar observation.

There was a voice from the expanse that was over their heads whenever they stood still and let down their wings. Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. And on the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man on it high up. Then I saw as glowing metal, as the appearance of fire all around within it, from the appearance of His loins and upward; and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was a brightness around Him. As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud on a day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Ezekiel 1:25–28

Yes, I am going to talk about the rainbow again. You can follow the tag cloud to find other things I have written on that. But of late, the Revelation Song has been rattling through my mind. It is a great and beautiful thing, too. There is reason to ponder what the song embraces from the truth of God’s Word.

The first thing I want to share is a photo I took a few years back flying home from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I wanted to capture the shadow of our jet moving on the clouds. When looking at the image later, I was shocked to discover something. I don’t recall if I saw the rainbow or not, but the significance is that rainbows are circles. We usually experience just the curved bow ending at the horizon. Look closely at the image, it is clear that the brightest colors are closest to the center and fade as the concentric bands show. There are at least two more faint rainbow circles. I think this adds some clarity to the splendor of what John and Ezekiel both conveyed to us.

There is always more than we can imagine.

Anisotrophic Splendor

I want to introduce something very relevant to this discussion. It is a principle known as Anisotropy. As defined by Wikipedia, it is the structural property of non-uniformity in different directions, as opposed to isotropy. Yeah, that is big talk. But think of it as a uniform direction as opposed to being omnidirectional (all directions.) Wood is anisotropic, as the grain goes in one direction.

Light, as we encounter it in this physical world every day, is isotropic. Its waves propagate in all directions. When on me applies a polarizing filter, the light that passes through the filter has waves in one direction. The filter strains out all the diverse propagation and allows only light oriented in one direction. Sometimes it is easier to see things through polarized light because it tends to remove scattering reflections. Wearing polarized sunglasses allows me to look into a body of water without the myriad reflections that would make things less clear.

The peculiarities of light have fascinated humans for centuries, as science shows. Experiments are performed where light is purified. That is, it is filtered to remove the propagating diffractions. There is one that most people are taught in school. It is Double-Slit Experiment and the controversial things it upended and exposed. I will leave that rabbit-hole for your edification. But in my opinion, the findings of that one experiment demonstrate that there may be an intelligence that controls the minutiae of our universe.

Using this methodology in this experiment led to others and the use of cross-polarization. Pure cross-polarized light is created by using two polarizing filters oriented perpendicularly to each other. These filters block the mirror-like reflections from surfaces. This leaves only the diffuse component of the light, which reveals the true surface color and texture of the subject. Some call this pure light.

I cannot help but think, why cross-polarization? Is there something about the cross-filtered light that reveals truth? Is it just a coincidental play on words? Tell me what you think in the comments.

Back to the good stuff.

Applying this kind of light to gemstones has revealed something far more splendid than just the symmetry of grain. It gives rise to a new classification of gemstones. They can be classified as either isotropic or anisotropic. Consider those gems God chose to use in New Jerusalem.

The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all kinds of precious jewels. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.

Revelation 21:19-20

When we look at these gems with ordinary physical light, they appear rather plain. Our first reaction might be why these?

Our physical light has waves going in different directions that seem chaotic. Most of those gemstones do not exhibit any real radiance or even clarity. Diamonds and rubies sparkle translucently in this kind of light. They are highly prized for this beauty.

The pure light reveals the true surface color and properties of the gems. Diamonds and rubies become black and opaque in cross-polarized light. However, when cross-polarized light is used on those gems mentioned in Revelation for New Jerusalem, their true beauty and splendor are revealed. The image below shows how each of these gems appears in this cross-filtered pure light.

Look back up to how John described the light emanating from the throne of God. He used the words jasper and sardius as descriptions for the appearance of God. I would say he was seeing these with pure light just by the descriptions he uses. John is seeing what is True, without the noise we see with our eyes in the physical light we experience.

I do wear two jasper bracelets on my wrist. The jasper beads are red. There is real beauty in that. I see just the red stone with little shine. But it is a daily reminder of the blood of Jesus that bought my freedom. I also wear a lapis lazuli one, which brings to mind the tekhelet blue adorning priestly garments. There are also two strands of amethyst. Purple is the color of royalty and my King.

Sardius is also red. It, too, is not overtly stunning in natural light. Yet, like other anisotropic gems in pure light, they fluoresce with brilliant rainbow colors!

There are resources to help understand. This one, Revelation Handout Pages, from River of Life Fellowship, can help with understanding. (Last two pages of the handout.) There are additional links in that material to help with the science.

New Jerusalem is going to glow with spectacular brilliance and color. It will be very much like the throne of God, with the pure light emanating from the Light of the World.

Glory of God

In his first epistle, Peter exhorts us Christian’s on how to comport ourselves in this world. We are not to live like the Gentiles, but live a life of love, grace, mercy, and hospitality to all. In so doing, we become living epistles to a watching world.

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, so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh serving human desires, but the will of God. For in earlier times of our lives it may have sufficed us to do what the Gentiles like to do, when we walked in immorality: lusts, drunkenness, carousing, debauchery, and abominable idolatries. They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you. They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that even though they might be judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray. Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:1–11

There is a lot in the instructions that lends itself to the discussion at hand. Peter is reiterating the two great commands Jesus gave to believers. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Imagine the directions of this love, vertically for God, and horizontally for others. These two things are crossed perpendicularly to each other. Perhaps that is just a coincidence, but in this discussion of pure light has the same principle. Why does this appear to direct us to the cross of Jesus?

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. 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. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or even as a busybody. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of it.

1 Peter 4:12–16

Wait…

If we behave like Jesus and Peter have instructed us to do it is going to bring suffering. Yet in that suffering, His glory is revealed! This is just like the principle of pure light revealing the true glory of gems, pure love (the cross-filtered kind) reveals the true glory of God.

There is more there. Peter says that this Spirit of God is the Spirit of Glory that rests on us. He blesses us. Though the world blasphemes Him, He is glorified in you and me. That is the work of the Spirit of Glory. He reveals the glory of God.

The Crown of Glory

There is also a promised reward to those who live well and shepherd the flock. This should be the goal of every believer to shepherd the flock they have been given. Not because we have to do it, but to be faithful in our charge as examples to them. These reveal the glory of God to their flock.

I exhort the elders who are among you, as one who is also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, take care of them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly. Do not lord over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.

1 Peter 5:1–4

These are partakers in His glory; They are taking His glory! Their ultimate reward is a crown of glory. One that will not fade away. It necessitates that the glory being discussed here is God’s glory.

The Spirit of Glory

This Spirit of Glory did the same with Jesus. This is going to rely on the last few days of Jesus’ life in a physical body as recounted by John. I challenge you to take the time to read it all, now. You may encounter things there you have not seen before.

To start, Jesus was outlining this vertical and horizontal relationship we are to have with God and others. He is speaking of the suffering He is to endure. He is also sharing that they would indeed suffer in like manner. As the world hated Him and it will hate believers. He also introduced the coming Helper we now know is the Spirit of Glory.

“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

John 15:26–27

Things for His friends are going to get bad, really bad. Jesus says He is going away. He will return again in a little while. This is one of those things the disciples did not quite grasp. His death, and more to the point, His resurrection. Jesus’ leaving would make way for the Spirit of Truth. He will by a Helper to them.

“I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and will declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine. Therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and will declare it to you.

John 16:12–15

They didn’t understand. The sudden coming death of Jesus was not the point of contention. The resurrection was. It was not expected at all by them. Yet by the Spirit of Truth, it will be revealed to all that Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

He said the Spirit glorifies Him. In this text, it is obvious that the role of the Holy Spirit is intimately connected with revealing the glory of God.

In all of this discussion with His friends, Jesus then prays.

When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1–5

What Jesus says mirrors everything we have learned about glory. It is revealed in suffering. Jesus again promises the gift of eternal life. It is that discussion of glory that draws attention. I will speak to that in a bit. Jesus speaks in the shared suffering His friends experience because of their belief. As Jesus suffers, it glorifies God. As His chosen ones suffer, it glorifies Jesus. He is praying for His friends. He goes further…

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

John 17:20–21

I do not take these words lightly. That is us, our Savior is praying for us, modern-day believers. The truth is, it is through the words of His chosen ones that we have come to believe. The blessings on them are also for all believers. Even those who come to believe some 2,000 years later.

Don’t skip over the part where Jesus asks that we are one. It’s not just a unity of purpose, but a unity in all things. It is worth it to take some time to contemplate the entire prayer of Jesus. But… How does that unity happen?

Jesus began explaining that back in John 15. He promised the Comforter, in Greek, that is the Paraclete. The word literally means a counselor, like a lawyer. One that comes alongside to help. The coming Spirit of Glory will be the One Who unifies believers. That is, God will live in each of those who believe.

The disciples will be scattered. Suffering will come. That sorrow will turn into joy because of this Helper. And He came to those believers for the first time in a unique way. I can imagine that the gathering of disciples was rather somber until this happened.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:1–4

As Peter taught, this is the glory of God resting on them. Not only is the glory of God resting on them, but He is in them.

I Will not Share My Glory

This idea may come to the forefront of the minds of some. The Bible tells us that God will not share His glory with another.

You have heard; see all this.
And will you not declare it?
I have shown you new things from this time,
even hidden things, and you did not know them.
They are created now and not from the beginning;
even before the day when you did not hear them,
lest you should say,
“Yes, I knew them.”
You have not heard, you have not known,
indeed, from long ago your ear has not been open.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
and that from birth you have been called a rebel.
For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
and for My praise I will restrain it for you
so that you are not cut off.
See, I have refined you, but not with silver;
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, even for My own sake, I will do it;
for how can My name be polluted?
And I will not give My glory to another.

Isaiah 48:6–11

In the context of what Isaiah is saying, it is God speaking of the stubbornness of Jacob. How He has told them the beginning from the end, so they could not ascribe the things that belong to God to the carved images with which they stumbled. From the beginning, God told them what He was doing. There were things hidden from them, purposefully. It makes me want to delve more into the Tanakh. There are plenty of hidden treasures. Treasures that are for Israel. Yet they rebelled… A lot… And for a long time.

His patience with them is to protect His name. It’s for His praise that Israel was not cut off. Instead, through the furnace of affliction, they are purified. It’s the same for us Christians, just as Peter says. It seems that the glory of God is also revealed in praise to Him. Something He will not share with others.

When God says He will not give His glory to another, it is clearly in the context of sharing with idols and carved images. But many teach that He doesn’t share His glory at all. Because of that, it becomes one of those apologetic things to prove Jesus is Jehovah. Which brings us right back to those last days before the cross above, and the thing I promised to point out later. In the last sentence I quote, it is self-evident that Jesus is indeed Jehovah. “And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.”

From Glory to Glory

The radiant glory rainbow around the throne of God is representative of the Spirit of God. There is no coincidence that there are seven colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These colors come from white light. The brilliance of a rainbow is staggering when encountered. We get this hint of glory as a promise from God. It marked His promise not to wipe out the race with a global flood. (Yeah, I said global.)

There will also be an angel that comes in the future.

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

Revelation 10:1

It seems that this angel is clothed in those things associated with the Spirit of God. His head glows with a rainbow, and his feet are like pillars of fire. Fire, just like when the Holy Spirit came upon those believers after the ascension of Jesus. He is likened to tongues of fire that rested upon those there. We commemorate this day as Pentecost.

Could it be that we get just these small glimpses of glory?

That angel seems to be clothed in the same splendor that comes from the throne of God.

Can I tell you something?

There is enough evidence here for something spectacularly mind-boggling. God does share His glory with others. He gives it to us. It comes with the Holy Spirit that is part of us forever.

He is the One who reveals the visible glory of God shown in the patient suffering of His saints. I am telling you that if you have the Holy Spirit in you, then you are already clothed from the inside out with the splendor of God. He has placed His Mark on you forever.

Don’t believe me.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak with great boldness, not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end of what was fading away. Instead, their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away with in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts. Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, seeing the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:12–18

We have to take this all by faith in His Word. These are what He says He does. We are not stealing God’s glory. He lavishes it on us with His Spirit. Such things are never wasted. No, they are not wasted with God.

That’s why we fast. We learn to suffer with joy and contentment in Jesus Christ. We don’t share this with others, not letting anyone know. It is supposed to be an intimacy between us as individuals and God. We learn to endure suffering with patience and joy, relying on the Lord just as Jesus wanted to share with us in His prayer in John 17.

When This is That

I cannot help but think about how the glory of God is revealed in believers of today. It is one of those things that makes Israelites who know their Tanakh jealous. Knowing that these promises are theirs but are given to another people, not called His people, but who are now called His people. It is not a bad thing. Anyone can believe and have this.

All that rainbow splendor cannot really be ours, can it?

Well, John told us that God is Love. Paul wrote a treatise on true love. The kind God not only has, but is. It is in 1 Corinthians 13, and should be familiar to many.

Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4

That is my God. He is yours, too. From the citation above from Isaiah 48, it is clear that almost all of these things Paul says love is are quite apparent in God’s relationship with Israel. He says, “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger.” Love is patient, kind, loyal, gentle, and meek.

He endures all things. Even when His people prostitute themselves to other gods and give those gods the glory due to Him. That is what it means when God does not share His glory. It is not some attribute He distributes, but is the very essence of Who He is, and is demonstrated in a reciprocal relationship. Just like that of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have.

I think we mistake all those pretty colors and emanations from the throne of God as glory. Upon closer examination, it appears that the glory lies in the relationships God has. Even the relationships He has with His people. It is not just for the Israelites, either. It is in the praise and worship we give to Him in the purity of love, because He first loved us—even when we refused Him. Because He suffers and bears all things just for us.

Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish. (, MEV)

1 Corinthians 13:8

God never fails. Not Even once.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect shall pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:9–10

The imperfections in this world will eventually disappear for good.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11

It’s time to grow up. Which means we are going to have to acknowledge God’s steadfast and loyal love for us and react appropriately. Because there is a day approaching that will reveal all.

For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I also am known.

1 Corinthinas 13:12

From glory to glory. We are going to see one day that those who love God will radiate the same brilliance as that which comes from God’s throne. That is the promise to every believer. The truth will be revealed.

My hope is that you share in my joy and praise to God. I have typed through some tears. My hope extends to everyone, don’t be of those who do not radiate that splendor in true light. Fix that, now!

I am a Worm

On By TimIn Jesus, Prophecy, Psalm 022Leave a comment

But I am a worm, and not a man; a reproach of men and despised by the people.

Psalm 22:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love the psalms. For many reasons, yes I love them. There are gems like this verse that give a stark contrast to a fleeting moment compared to eternity.

It is written by King David, the man after God’s heart. One that was far from perfect yet God favored. This is David’s lament, yet with prophetic significance as that speaks to the experience Jesus had on Earth.

Yes, Jesus suffered the disapproval of others, He suffered the dismissal of indifference.

Sometimes, circumstance leads some of us right into that lonely place of reproach and despair. It can happen at any moment, even in a crowded room. And if our minds are not focused correctly, we can easily slip further into a circular morass of depression.

The real idea that permeates David’s song is not the singular focus of that verse. There is the steadfast focus on God in the rest of the psalm that gives encouragement. Read it for yourself. David, and writing prophetically of Jesus, knew the reproach of men. He also knew the promises of God and in Whom hope never is disappointed.

I‘ve experienced this solitary place more than I would like to admit over my lifetime. I’ve been called more names than I want to remember… Even by adults who supposedly cared for me. I can be alone in my thoughts anywhere, anytime.

Things I know… Knowledge is a firmer foundation than emotion. What I feel is fleeting and can change. What I know can change what I feel.

The man after God’s heart knew that place. Jesus also isn’t unfamiliar with the same. He has suffered despair far worse than David, you, or I could imagine.

The God of the universe has firsthand experience with hate and spite given to Him by the very creatures He made in His likeness and whom He sustains.

That is my God!

He’s the One Who set aside what it is to be God to experience the things I experience… Even death. The Bible says that He even tasted that death for me.

He didn’t deserve to get what I ought to have.

“I am a worm,” Jesus says.

He stooped to serve me. He didn’t hide from it. Yet in that same instant that I remember that it comes to mind, He did that so I could have no fear.

For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hid His face from him; but when he cried to Him, He heard.

Psalm 22:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I need not fear despair. I need not fear reproach. I need not even fear death. For He has conquered it all. And He does not hide from it.

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed. The One that stooped to serve me, will have all willingly kneel to Him.

All the prosperous ones of the earth will eat and worship; all who go down to the dust will bow before Him, even he who cannot keep his own soul alive. Posterity will serve Him; it will be told to generations about the Lord; they will come and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born, that He has acted.

Psalm 22:29–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He is alive. He has overcome. Behold, He is risen and coming back for His own.

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.

Change your Thinking

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

Therefore, that simple word connects the following conclusions to all that came before. It is that Christ satisfied our debt. Because He suffered in his physical body to do so, we need to put on that same mindset.

As Peter writes that the one who has suffered has ceased from sin, he’s not saying that you will stop sinning. This is still the idea of putting on that mindset of not doing such things. If we do, we put off serving them. That allows us to live freely for the rest of our lives.

How shall we live?

Paul said it succinctly.

Likewise, you also consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We reckon ourselves dead to the flesh, and the sin it desires to serve. We change our mindset to be alive to the things of God. In that way we cease from sin, just as Jesus. It will cost us, and we will suffer.

For in earlier times of our lives it may have sufficed us to do what the Gentiles like to do, when we walked in immorality: lusts, drunkenness, carousing, debauchery, and abominable idolatries. 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 4:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are all familiar with our past indiscretions. For some of us, like me, we’ve done some of these shameful things as Christians. Thankfully, our sins are not counted against us. But those who are not saved still live like the world. They don’t understand why you don’t come along anymore. Here is where the hardship for each of us comes in, they will revile is for these things.

That’s okay. Nevertheless, it is sad.

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)

They will have to give an account. This is the judgment that the believer escapes (John 5:24.) It comes after death, just as it is written…

As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him.

Hebrews 9:27–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is a shocking thing for some. The end result won’t be fun.

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that even though they might be judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This verse is a bit difficult for me to make sense of, but given the text I will attempt it.

This refers yet again to Jesus’ descent into Hades after His death. He preached the Gospel to those saints in prison. These are judged in the same way any believer in the flesh is judged. That is, their sins are remitted. They meet the Judge Himself. The Bible is clear, there is no other way to heaven.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

John 14:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

To know Him is to know the Father. He is the only Way. That is why He descended to lead captivity captive. That they, too, might live eternally according to God in the spirit.

It is the same way we ought to think to live now.

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.

Jesus is our Example in Submitting to Suffering

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Jesus, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God a person endures grief, suffering unjustly.

1 Peter 2:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is an ugly and brutal world. Back in our previous excisions (verse 13,) Peter encouraged us to submit ourselves to every human authority for the Lord’s sake. It is a timely message for today and for me, personally.

There are some who may read this who resist going to church. There are many reasons. Most of them center around some sort of selfish statements that often begin with I. It’s understandable. I mean, if a local body has errant leadership, errant doctrine, weird fellowship, hypocrites or any combination of these and others, why bother?

Yet Peter told us to submit to every human institution. I think that would extend to even those that we may initially discern as wrong.

Fellowship with others is necessary.

I may not have heard every excuse, but have heard plenty. I’ve even offered a plethora of my own. And still do, at times.

Yet we are called to assemble. That is what a church is, literally… called out ones. (As an aside; I don’t think there is scriptural precedence for leaving a local church.)

Maybe there is a different way to think about gathering together.

Servants, not leaders.

Look at how Peter addresses those he is speaking to in the cited text above. It is as servants. That is a proper way to think of ourselves.

Looking to the previous thought and leaning back into that, we are to honor all people, love believers, revere God, and honor the king. As king in our case, it’s the president. For some reading, this may be easy. For others, it can be challenging. The rest of this is going to really challenge.

None of us can do the things Peter said unless we are servants. We cannot honor all people unless we serve them. Neither can we love our brothers and sisters in Jesus, unless we serve them. Revering God requires service.

It’s an inescapable conclusion.

Employees serve, leaders serve.

The contextual emphasis of this portion of Peter’s epistle is mainly for those who are employed by another. We are encouraged to submit, even to those who spitefully use us.

Those of us who are at the bottom of the traditional org chart know that the junks flows down to the lowest point. Though there are bosses, managers, and leaders that perch above the lowest tier, at some point these are servants, too. Some may be gentle taskmasters, others ruthless lords.

It’s easy to work for a gentle taskmaster. Submitting to an overbearing lord is extremely taxing. Peter tells us this kind of suffering is commendable. It is the place where we really want to be.

For what credit is it if when you are being beaten for your sins you patiently endure? But if when doing good and suffering for it, you patiently endure, this is favorable before God.

1 Peter 2:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are many who will laud their own endurance. Sometimes we might need to do that. Though mostly the endurance we laid is for the suffering we’ve brought in through our own proclivities. Think about a life-long smoker suffering through cancer or a like malady. What Peter is saying is plain.

It is Jesus Who has shown us our org charts are really upside-down. In this case, the junk… Our junk… Flowed onto Him.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus flipped that org chart Right-side down, taking all of our rebellion on Himself.

Suffer for doing good.

The favorable thing before God is to suffer for doing good. Jesus did for us.

For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.”

1 Peter 2:21–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If we’re Christians… It’s really our calling.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay every man according to his works. Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Matthew 16:24–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love that. Remember, this was Jesus’ response to Peter after He rebuked him by saying, “Get behind Me, Satan!”

These words Peter knows intimately, having been one of our greatest examples of failing Jesus. He is all one of the best to give to us real hope. It is why he could die upside-down on a cross as a martyr.

We read of the martyrs of old. They lived this out. To follow Jesus requires sober thinking. It requires sacrifice. It isn’t for the faint-hearted. (I know. I was there at one time not too long ago, and still, succumb to that.)

We ought to do exactly the same knowing this is favorable to God.

A personal application.

As I wrote earlier of the local fellowship I attend, I would sometimes think to rather not.

Is everything perfect there?

No. (But just thinking it isn’t might mean I am measuring against my own relative notions.)

Would I change things?

You betcha! (That kind of thinking is also very self-centered. I told you this was going to get challenging.)

But the local fellowship I attend isn’t for me. It’s not mine, nor is it about me, my well-being, or even my comfort. It’s about attending to serve others. You know, honoring people, loving brothers, and fearing God. (That is our calling.)

I serve in a few official capacities. Some would call it being a leader. I don’t want to seem braggadocios. A leader is really a servant of other servants. This is the way God does it. First is last, last is first.

We should shoulder the burden with others, as more hands make the work light. That’s good and easy to do.

The hard thing?

There is a leadership covenant they would like all who serve to affirm and agree to. I have had some concerns with small but significant portions of it. (Mostly surrounding legalese, courts, and perceived personal rights of redress that are waived.)

I have spoken with good friends about my concerns. It is always God that answers… Though.

And I get it.

The previous blog post was telling us how to live as servants. That was to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. There is a lifestyle covenant contained within it. That can help bind together brothers and sisters in love.

It also helps us to live honorably amongst outsiders. Especially given the culture’s mores, a small part of the stipulations concern gender and sexuality. Of course, these ideas will be demonized by the culture as evil. On that final day of judgment, those who do such things will give honor to God having to acknowledge the good in what we do.

The covenant knits us together as one. Us I. The sense of those who are parties to it.

It may use legal language. And that’s okay. We are to submit to those human things for God’s sake.

Rest assured, my mind has changed considerably. Enough about me.

Time is short. Let us draw near to Jesus by drawing near to each other.

Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There’s no time for selfishness, really. How can any of us hope to spur one another to love and good works by being the lone maverick?

It doesn’t work that way. One cannot serve anyone by asserting personal rights and privileges.

Take up that cross.

Suffer for doing the right thing.

Especially as we see the day of God’s wrath quickly approaching.