MasterTruth

A New Focus for 2014

God has equipped us to be like Christ, which is the theme of 1 Peter (be ye holy for I am holy). Peter spends this whole book explaining how to be like Christ. As you look forward to 2014, don’t lose sight of the fact that, in this life, you are first of all a Christian—a little representation of a big Christ.  

First, at the end of 2013, look back at the end of Christ’s life. He prayed a prayer to God that you get to listen in on. He discusses what his life was all about. Read it this time through the lens of you as a Christ representative. Whatever focus Jesus shared with the Father is also your focus. With those lenses firmly on, read this:

Joh 17:4-8  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.  (5)  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.  (6)  I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.  (7)  Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.  (8)  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Now in 2014, it will be your turn to glorify God, finish His work, manifest His name and give out His words, all for God’s glory through Christ. How do you do it? Peter tells you how, and once again, keep on those lenses of you as a Christ representative: 1Pe 4:9-11  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  (10)  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (11)  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

It turns out, you have gifts, abilities and burdens that God has given you, not to use for yourself, but to channel Him to the world. Those are going to show up as either speaking or physically ministering to others, just like Christ did. He was always doing one or the other or both.

Together, let’s make that what 2014 is all about.

Love Hides Some Things

I remember in my teen years as a new believer in Christ, my greatest anguish was that I knew I didn’t love other people like I should. People. I could take them or leave them, and I feared that would be my downfall. Looking back, I know I mistakenly thought that I didn’t love others because I didn’t have warm fuzzy feelings for everyone. I couldn’t muster it when it looked like others could. 

I have two points to make about loving others that I wish I would have known then.

First, love is something you do, not something you feel. It’s a commandment. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34) It’s something you put on.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Col. 3:14) Again, it’s a decided action, not just a gushy feeling, so you actually can love someone you don’t particularly like.

Second, one of the intriguing evidences of putting on charity comes up in our study through 1 Peter.  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8) The evidence of your love for someone is that you cover their sins. That means you hide or hinder others from knowing about that person’s mistakes or offenses. You don’t repeat them. You let them go. If you can decide to do that—overlook and be quiet about their faults—you are actively loving them. Here is the same idea, worded just a bit differently:

• Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (Prov. 10:12) Don’t stir up contention or conflict over the failures and flaws you see and experience from others.
• A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. (Prov. 12:16) Not only are you showing love when you keep your mouth shut, you’re also behaving prudently.
• He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (Prov. 17:9) If that person’s name comes up in a crowd, don’t rehearse the offense. Cover it.

But let’s not be naïve. The offense of that other person may be a signal that there is really something wrong going on inside of them. But still, you are required to love them. You still don’t repeat it to others. You still cover it. But you may need to talk to and reason with that person about the offense. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Matt. 18:15) Hopefully, that will take care of the problem. And here comes love again…Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)

Joy to the World, But First...

It’s the time of year when we sing “Joy to the World.” I’ve sang it at Christmas since I was a kid. It refers to the day Jesus was born. God was bursting at the seams and sent an angel to some shepherds out in a field watching their sheep at night. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

But for the whole world to experience that joy, there had to be sorrow, for this great Saviour came to die. In between His birth and His death, there were some dicey decades. As the Saviour of the world, Jesus was on a mission to explain this salvation. But not everyone agreed that they needed to be saved. This led to personal suffering for Jesus, the Christ.

Now fast-forward to day. As we study 1 Peter, if holiness is the theme, suffering is the sub-theme. But not just any suffering. Christ’s suffering for us and thus our suffering for him. “Be ye holy for I am holy,” and so by implication, “I suffered for you, leaving you an example to suffer for me.”

Let’s connect a few verses that show this to be true: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: …and Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 3:17-18 and 4:1-2)

Neither Christ nor we suffer for suffering’s sake. It’s not just an unfortunate consequence of sharing something that some people do not want to hear. It might look that way from the outside (Christ’s death looked pretty much like cause-and-effect regarding his message on the surface). Christ’s suffering for us, and our suffering for Christ is a part of the perfection that results from submitting to it. Here’s proof: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience [compliance, submission] by the things which he suffered; (Heb. 5:8)

And back to our two verses for today: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psalms 119:67)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psalms 119:71)

I don’t know why, but suffering leads to submission—a prime quality God wants to see in us. It has ramifications in our life both now and in the future. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:17-18)

So, what about that joy the angel promised? Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5b)

Three Days in Prison

When Jesus was treated unjustly and was crucified, the plan of the ages unfolded. He, the just and righteous one, died for us, the unjust and unrighteous ones (1Pet 3:18).

But what about the unjust and unrighteous folks who lived and died before Christ came? For instance, in Noah’s day, the whole earth was filled with unrighteous people, who God decided to wipe off the face of the map all at once by a flood. Did Jesus die for those unjust people too?

I’m used to hearing that if those people would have gotten in that ark with Noah, they would have been spared. But I don’t think Noah was out encouraging them to get in the ark. Their unrepentant lives were solidly wicked, and their judgment was set.

Fast forward to Christ’s death. It was then that God enacted another part of His plan that we know very little of. Remember that Jesus was “dead” for three days. But it’s not as though he laid there still and lifeless for those three days.

He went deep into the earth, where there is a sort of prison, where dead souls are bound, and he preached to them. Wouldn’t you love to know what He said and how they responded. After all, these people were dead and experiencing anguish. Don’t you think everyone would have believed and accepted him? That, we don’t know. But we know He did preach to the under-earth prisoners:

1Pe 3:19-22  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;  (20)  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  (21)  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:  (22)  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Though we don’t know Jesus’ exact words, we do know His purpose for going and preaching to them. Read these verses, and see if some don’t make a lot more sense now.

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1Pet. 4:6 )

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isa 42:7) 

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. (Isa 61:1)

How to Suffer for Goodness Sake

Who could possibly hurt you if you’re following the Lord? Surely God will protect you from evil, because greater is He that is you than He that is in the world. Right? Sort of. Remember Job? He was hurt, even though he followed the Lord. Remember Jesus? He was hurt, even though he was the Lord.

It was Peter who raised the question, And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? (1 Pet. 3:13) As it turns out, it wasn’t a question that demanded the answer no one, because the next verse goes like this: But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

There are many verses that promise God’s protection and peace. But they have to be balanced with verses like this: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Tim. 3:12)

As you know by now, the theme of 1 Peter is Be ye holy; for I am holy (1:16) We aren’t holy alone. We follow the guide. If our guide suffered for righteousness’ sake, so will we. Peter tells us how to get through it. Note though that the suffering he discusses isn’t suffering for stupid things we do. It’s the suffering that happens because the world is dark, and the children of darkness don’t think and believe like we do. They expect us to, but we don’t. So they oppose us, and that’s the suffering Peter talks about in chapter 3. Follow his advice:

• Consider yourself happy or blessed instead of terrified or troubled if you get to suffer for righteousness sake. (3:14)
• The fact that you handle persecution this well may intrigue your tormentors, and they will wonder how you do it. Be ready to give a meek answer for the reason of the hope inside you. (3:15)  
• Keep a good conscience, so their accusations against you don’t land on firm ground. If you are living a pure life, your accuser will end up looking stupid for being so petty or for lying about you. (3:16) Really, you’re suffering for their sins of maliciousness. Take it on the chin.
• It’s better that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. (3:17)

And finally, Jesus is raised as the example: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Pet. 3:18)

Jesus suffered for others’ sins to bring us to God. You are blessed if you get to suffer for other people saying unjust things about you. If you handle it in a godly way, it may be used to bring them to Jesus.

What Bullying is All About

We live in an age of incivility. But is it any worse than it used to be? Maybe not. Decades ago when I was in junior high, I had to endure mean-mouthed ridicule almost daily. It was a part of what school was all about. Only a strong kid could emerge emotionally unscarred from the years of scoffing and scorning for how fat or skinny you were, names that rhymed with your last name, the form of your teeth or how well-built you were or weren’t. The only difference between then and now is that back then it didn’t have a name. Today it’s labeled as bullying.

I accepted Christ as my savior during those years, and I remember that the very first verses I hung onto and that meant something to me were Ps. 34:12-16. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.  The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Can you see why those verses would stick to someone living through the bullying  junior high years? If my ninth grade friends will pull out their old yearbook, I’ll bet they will find that I signed it with Ps. 34:12-16.

As we’ve gone through 1 Peter, we’ve been reminded regularly that the theme is “Be ye holy for I am holy.” Peter keeps bringing up ways we can be holy, and wouldn’t you know, he quotes my verses from Psalm 34. Here, let’s compare.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:10-12)

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.  The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:12-16 )

It turns out the advice to be nice is good through the ages. Politeness was necessary in David’s day, in Peter’s day and in our day.

Peter was on a mission of holiness through civility. He encourages us to be polite and courteous various places. Remember in 1 Pet 2:1 he says Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking.

Bullying must be part of the fall. You know why? Because Satan is the father of those who don’t know the Lord, and here’s what Satan is all about: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

That’s how we know bullying won’t go away in our lifetime. But for those of us who are Christians… we are to live opposite lives Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Be holy, for He is holy.

An Important Pill to Swallow

Did you hear the report all over the news the other day? Someone has determined we don’t need all the vitamin and mineral supplements we’ve been taking. They aren’t effective. I groaned. It’s yet another report about something I don’t really need that I really do need. Wasn’t it mammograms they decided we didn’t need a few years ago? I take about 8 pills of one sort or another every day because there is some benefit to them. I don’t believe it when someone gets hold of the national microphone and says it’s not important after all.

It’s the same way with Bible truths. There’s always someone out there trying to say the Bible doesn’t really mean what it says, and the verse for today would be near the top of that list. I touched on it the other day. It’s for women, and it says, But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Pet. 3:4)

Now, if the Bible says a meek and quiet spirit is of great price to God, then that’s a pill I want to take every day. I want to be pleasing to God, don’t you? I’m going to face Him someday, and I do not want my life to testify, “I’m sorry. You asked for a meek and quiet spirit, but that just wasn’t me.” Remember, a meek and quiet spirit means a mild and tranquil disposition, which is of great price in the sight of God. How do you get it? Let’s go for it! Well, it’s a submissive thing. Truly. The next verse after the meek and quiet spirit says, For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord… (1 Pet. 3:5-6a)

First of all, let’s look at this in light of the theme of 1 Peter, “Be ye holy for I am holy.” The whole book is a how-to and why-for on holiness. The first part, “be ye holy” is our challenge and command. The second part “for I am holy” is our example, and throughout 1 Peter, we see Jesus as the example of holiness. He’s calling us to be like himself. Jesus was submissive, as we looked at in chapter 2 and will see again in chapter 3. But now, we see another example of submissive in the context of a meek and quiet spirit.

Sarah is noted as the example, being in subjection to her husband Abraham, calling him lord. When did she do that? Actually, it was in the context of God telling her when she was likely in her 90s that she was going to have a baby. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? (Gen.18:12) That word lord means master or superintendent of household affairs. She must have been used to referring to Abraham that way, because it was a spontaneous response to the news she would have a baby.

In our passage, by that reference to her husband as lord, Peter holds Sarah up as an example of a woman who adorned herself with submissiveness as a holy woman. Holy = submissive to the husband. Is that a tough pill to swallow? Sometimes it is. It is something to work on.

Submission to the Lord means you set aside your desires and plans to go along with God’s desires and plans. Wouldn’t submission to the husband be the same thing? He’s the head of the household. I set aside my desires and plans to accomplish his. Combine that with the meek and quiet spirit (gentle and tranquil) that is of great price to God. Just imagine that for yourself and what kind of a wife your husband would have if you could follow Peter’s words and what kind of a daughter you would be to God.

Hairspray for the Soul

Women have always lingered in front of the mirror. I’ll just bet Eve asked Adam more than once if her fig leaf made her look fat. If television would have been invented back then, Eve would have envied the skinny beautiful women on the screen and pointed out their features to Adam.

I know it sounds like I’m stereotyping—or shall I say “gender profiling?” But I’m really just taking off on what Peter said in around 64 AD.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Pet. 3:1-4)

In the flesh, we’re in the closet switching out tops and scarves and sweaters, deciding which looks best with what. Then we go to the mirror and mess around with our hair, a spray bottle and a curling iron. Then we’re into the jewelry box picking out the right earrings.

Peter knew how women were (surely he was married). God inspired him to write a message to us. And remember, his theme in 1 Peter is “Be ye holy for I am holy.” Chapter 3 starts with what holiness looks like for women. It begins with submission to their husbands.

Read my last post, because the theme of much of chapter 2 is submission, and Christ is lifted up as the supreme example of submission. Chapter 3 just continues on with the theme, and in light of Christ’s submission, it should not be in the least bit unreasonable that God asks women to be in subjection to their husbands.  

But let’s look at the jewel to be admired in these first few verses and its effect on everyone. The jewel is a woman with a gorgeous heart. It is described as:

• Chaste conversation, which means pure and modest conduct
• Coupled with fear or reverence for her husband (she’s in subjection to him in verse 1)
• Her heart is not corruptible
• She has an ornament of a meek and quiet spirit or mild and tranquil disposition.

What effect does this woman have? Interestingly, the way she is doesn’t draw attention to herself as much as it does to God. In verse 1, a disobedient husband is won over by watching this woman. He’s not looking at her scarf. He’s looking at her heart, and there’s something about it that wins him to Christ. It’s because her heart is like Christ, and He’s irresistible.

But this woman also has an effect on God. All these qualities together are of great price in God’s sight.

This leads to the type of mirror women should be looking at in the morning. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:23-25)

Time in the word is so valuable in renewing our perspective and setting us right for the day. It’s hairspray for the soul. We need it everyday.

Submission in a New Light

Submitting may be the hardest thing to do. But it may be the most holy thing to do. The theme of 1 Peter is be ye holy, for I am holy (1:16). Peter weaves holy how-tos throughout the book, and he gets to submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake in 2:13.

Remember, so far in 1 Peter, Jesus was holy, so we are to be holy. Jesus was a rock, we are little rocks. Jesus was a priest, we are priests. Jesus was light, we walk in his light (and elsewhere we are told that we are lights).

Now, we are to submit ourselves, and the rest of the chapter tells us how and why. I’ll cut to the chase. Jesus submitted himself, so we are to submit ourselves. It was a holy thing Jesus did. It’s a holy thing we are to do.

Submitting is not natural. Pride and standing up for ourselves is natural. Did Jesus behave in pride, standing up for himself? If you read the rest of 1 Peter 2, you see definitely not. He is presented as the model submissive one. Just looking through the rest of chapter 2, here are some points about submission:

• You submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. (2:13) In other words, if the law says to do something, it’s the same as Jesus saying to do it, so do it for Him because He’s asking you to through that law (or that boss, or that husband).
• You put others to silence when you submit. (2:15) If you’re not acting against them, you are acting with them. They have nothing to say.
• Use your liberty in Christ to submit. (2:16)
• Submit not only when the person is easy to submit to, but when the person is wicked and unfair. (2:18) WHAT? This is where the instruction veers from “that makes perfect sense” to “that makes absolutely no sense” and thus where holiness factors in. The rest of these points take us into the ethereal, so I will number them.

1. We demonstrate graciousness when we submit to grief and wrong-doing. (2:19)
2. We are acceptable to God when we patiently submit to ill treatment. (2:20)
3. Christ submitted to wrong-doing, so we are to submit to wrong-doing. (2:21, and doesn’t that sound like further explanation of the theme of 1 Peter, be ye holy, for I am holy?)
4. Instead of threatening the ones killing him, Jesus submitted and committed himself to him who judges righteously (God 2:22), and that’s our example. That’s how you submit. You commit.
5. Jesus humbled himself and submitted to a bloody painful death (Phil 2:8) so we can live to righteousness. (2:24) Now there’s a purpose-driven life.

If there’s a purpose-driven life to be had, the purpose is to be holy like Jesus was holy. And now we know a little more of what that entails. It leaves us with a lot to think about.

I actually first studied this 30 years ago, the day a boss asked me at the end of the work day to come in the next day prepared to write down on a piece of paper what I was doing every half hour because he didn’t think I was really working. I stormed home, threw myself across my bed and cried. To pull myself together, I opened my Bible and came across these verses. It would be pleasing to God if I would submit to this unjust boss and do what he asked. And it was as if God was asking me, through my boss, to write down what I was doing every half hour. I said, “Yes Lord. For you, I would write down what I’m doing every 15 minutes!”

I couldn’t wait to go to work the next day and write down what I was going for Jesus. Remember the verse that says For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? (2:15) My boss saw me happily writing down what I was doing and got sick of it and told me to stop. I didn’t want to stop. I was doing this for Jesus. But I obeyed. Lesson learned, and I’ve never forgotten.

What is With Stumbling Over the Stumbling Stone?

A few of my most memorable vacations have been trips to Alaska. My best friend is a missionary there, and when I was 19, I went to visit her. Among our not-your-average activities was moose hunting. Another time we stood at a table at a gold mine and panned for gold.

This was during the summer. You couldn’t really do either of those activities in the winter. It’s dark all the time in winter in Alaska. You would stand a better chance of stumbling and falling than of finding a moose or gold.

There’s a related interesting point to be made about those who stumble at Christ in 1 Peter 2, Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient…(1 Peter 2:7-8)

Here you have folks stumbling over Christ. Why do they stumble? If Christ is standing in the middle of the path, why do they stumble over him? By the way, notice that the first part of the passage, they are stumbling over Christ, and the second half, they are stumbling at his word. There is such a huge correlation between Christ and the word throughout the Bible, which is tied together in John 1:1,14. But back to the reason for stumbling.

Darkness may be the most obvious reason for stumbling over things. You can’t see in the dark. And that’s where the next verse in 1 Pet 2 takes us. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)

Jesus even talked about that. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. (John 11:9-10)

It seems like the best way to keep folks from stumbling over Christ is to give them some light. While that’s obvious, people, it turns out, don’t like spiritual light. They prefer darkness.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19) That seems a bit odd. Who likes darkness more than light? I guess seasonal affective disorder doesn’t exist in the spiritual realm. The truth is, spiritual darkness is something we have to be delivered from. We won’t go looking for light on our own. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Col. 1:13)

Now as Christians, we are to walk in the light and not the darkness. But as for the world around us, they will keep stumbling over Christ because they can’t see Him. They are in the darkness. They follow their father. In his testimony, Paul said that Jesus sent him To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith … (Acts 26:18)

Jesus is the one who opens eyes. We have to shine the light of Jesus and pray that God will illumine their minds and hearts, because after all, it’s God who translates us to the light.

Standing Out in a Crowd

No one likes to be excluded and rejected. It’s something that makes kids cry and angers adults who must explain to their children that not everyone likes everyone… and whatever else they can think of to help pacify.

There’s also a lesson for adults facing the same challenge. And if you’re a growing, thriving Christian, you’re in that situation. Peter addresses it in 1 Peter 2. The book of 1 Peter is about how we are to be holy as He who called us is holy. If you live a life that anywhere resembles Christ’s holy life, others are going to be at odds with you. That may be family members, co-workers, classmates or neighbors. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8) If they stumble at Christ and his word, they are going to stumble at you while you stand for and resemble Christ. There are many things in the Christian life that are black and white. You may like to live in the gray areas, but Christ didn’t live there.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:18-20)

I know, it’s not a comfortable idea. But the truth is, not everyone will be your friend because you are not a worldling. And notice the schism between you and others isn’t caused by you condemning others and being mean and hateful to them and looking down your nose at what they do. You can be living a positive life according to the truth, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, minding your own business, standing for Christ, and that rift comes hunting for you. Peter addresses this a lot in 1 Peter.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:9-11)

So there you are, abstaining from fleshly lusts. You don’t join in with the drinking. You remove yourself from dirty conversations. You find something else to do when a bad TV show comes on that others are watching. You don’t know what they’re talking about when they discuss a violent video game.

They end up talking bad about you. You’re the one who is rejected and made fun of. But here’s the ultimate perspective. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

You aren’t living for the moment. You are living for the future. You will face God, just like they will. Only they aren’t living like they know they will face God. You know better, so learn to live with that reality.

We are Little Priests

As you get older, do you find that you are your parent? You catch yourself saying something one of your parents would have said and responding the way they would have to a situation. You gain a greater understanding and appreciation for your parents. It’s that way with Christ. Over time, we should catch ourselves behaving and responding the way He would, because we are so used to walking with Him. In fact, I’m convinced that the key verses in 1 Peter are these: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Pet. 1:15-16)

We saw earlier from chapter 2 that Jesus was a big stone, and we are little stones, just like Him. Jesus was the big temple, we are growing up together as Christians into a temple (as well as being individual temples of the Holy Spirit). As little Christs (Christians), we mimic Him in other ways too.

Remember that Jesus was a priest. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Heb 3:1; see also Heb. 4:15; 6:19-20).

As our high priest, he was able to go into the Holy of Holies and offer the sacrifice for our sins. He was the sacrifice for our sins. And now He lives to make intercession for us as our High Priest in heaven, seated at the right hand of God.

That’s Jesus. Now what about us? It says two times in 1 Peter 2 that we are priests. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Pet. 2:5, 9)

What does a priest do? Our first verse says a priest offers up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This begs the question, what kind of acceptable sacrifices do we offer up?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Heb. 13:15-16)

Another thing a priest does, and Jesus did and does as our high priest, is to intercede to the father for us. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:24-25) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Rom. 8:34)

Now let’s jump together. We’re left on earth as Christians to be priests through whom Jesus operates, because remember our earlier verse says of us… an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

We are to intercede for others. It’s part of our priesthood duties. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Tim. 2:1)

I think it’s interesting that God has chosen to work this way. Jesus is in heaven making intercession for us, and we are on earth making intercession for others. One thing I know from reading to the end of the Bible, God takes intercessory prayers seriously. It’s a duty of ours that He prescribed, and He doesn’t forget. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. (Rev. 8:3-4) Notice the altar, the golden censer and the smoke of the incense. Those are all part of the Old Testament priestly scene, and the smoke of the incense way back then pictured the prayers of the saints, which will be effectual in the future. It’s all something to think about. But for now, it appears that our intercessory prayers are to be a vital part of our Christian lives, and once again, our life isn’t just about us. What kind of priest are you?

Different Shades of Christian

What is a Christian? The word is used three times in the Bible. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). So by the time the Bible was finished being written, the term Christian was well established. It meant something in those days. It was a new religion applied to those who followed Christ and His teachings.

Let’s look at it a bit today in 1 Peter. One of the three times the word is used is 1 Peter 4:16. We won’t get there today, but the idea of being a Christian comes across in a few different shades before chapter 4.

The theme of 1 Peter is being holy, and especially in light of suffering persecution.  We are Christians—little Christs—so we are to be holy like He was. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Pet 1:15-16) We know God the Father was holy, as this probably refers to. But Jesus was also. It’s a fact that even Satan acknowledged (Luke 4:33-35).

God and Jesus are holy. So are Christians to be holy—making it a part of what it means to be a Christian.

Another thing that Jesus referred to himself as was a temple. Remember, Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…But he spake of the temple of his body. (John 2:19, 21)

And so, as Christians, our bodies are also temples. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Cor. 3:16)

But in 1 Peter, we go deeper into this idea of the temple. Not only was Jesus a temple, and we are a temple, together, we make up another big obvious temple of which Jesus is the cornerstone. Here’s the best summary of that idea: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:20-22)

If, in this case, we have a big temple and Jesus is the cornerstone, we are little stones that all together are built into a temple. That’s what we see in 1 Peter. Speaking of Jesus, Peter said To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (1 Pet. 2:4-7)

People stumbled at Christ then, and they still stumble today. They try to live smooth lives of their own, but when they are confronted with Christ as Savior, they trip. So we are the little stones that are part of that temple, and we remind them of the corner stone they stumble at. They don’t want to look at the temple. As long as we are around being little stones in the big temple, they are going to keep stumbling. It’s part of our roll as Christians. And here we thought it was all about us and our happiness. No. Being a Christian is about Christ.

Live Inside Out

After I accepted Christ as my savior in high school, I became a conspicuous Christian. By that I mean that when everyone else wore blue jeans, I didn’t. If everyone went to movies, I wouldn’t. Most of my peers went to school dances. I didn’t. I carried my Bible and plastered my notebooks with Jesus bumper stickers, and I always wore a cross.

Finally, an unsaved classmate in my English class piped up and told me that all that outward stuff didn’t mean anything to him. What really counted was if I had it all on the inside.

He made me think. And I’m still thinking. It’s easy to develop a Christian lifestyle full of dos and don’ts, but what about the heart.

1Peter is about the heart. After pondering it for a few weeks now, I’ve concluded that the key verses are But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16) The rest of the book outlines the why and how of being holy. I don’t think we even need to go outside the book of 1 Peter and look at Greek words and find all the places the word holy is used in the Bible. Just grasp and live the principles in 1 Peter, and holiness results.

1 Peter 2:1 provides a short list of what holiness of heart looks like:  Wherefore laying aside all malice (ill-will), and all guile (deceit), and hypocrisies (acting), and envies, and all evil speakings,

That’s a short outline of what internal holiness is. But Peter gives an example of it a little later in chapter two as he describes Christ’s response to suffering. Look how Christ modeled inner holiness: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:22-24)

Back to verse 1. Jesus didn’t have malice or ill-will towards those who crucified them (remember He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”) He had no guile or deceit, according to our passage. He wasn’t a hypocrite, just acting like He loved people and God. He showed no envy, and he didn’t speak evil as he was hanging on the cross. It says he didn’t threaten anyone.

Surely His mind wasn’t blank when He went through that. What does a holy person think when suffering unjustly?  He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Holiness prays. Holy people commit themselves to God and let Him work it all out. It’s completely an inner relationship that breathes communication with God.

Holiness avoids sin on the outside by avoiding it on the inside.