Jesus is coming and we don't know when....the reason He hasn't come yet is that He desires that all would come to Him.
But have no doubt -- He is coming and when He does nothing will ever be the same. In the meantime, we are to "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."
Friday, February 21, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
2 Peter 2 -- False Teachers...Don't Be One
We are assured in this chapter that false teachers will be among us, introducing destructive heresies. The challenge is to know when those false teachers and their destructive heresies are around. Certainly Peter warns us so that we can be on guard against the false teaching, not following the false teachers into their "depraved conduct". Reading the rest of the chapter, this is not a path one would want to travel.
Those who follow the evil false teachers will receive severe punishment. There's no getting around this, and verses 13-22 are pretty uncomfortable to read. The best defense against all this ugliness is undoubtedly found in the person of Jesus Christ. We are safe in Him. We are welcomed into His arms when we come with sincerity of heart. There is no condemnation for those in who are in Christ. For those who willingly pretend to be but are not, it apparently isn't pretty.
Those who follow the evil false teachers will receive severe punishment. There's no getting around this, and verses 13-22 are pretty uncomfortable to read. The best defense against all this ugliness is undoubtedly found in the person of Jesus Christ. We are safe in Him. We are welcomed into His arms when we come with sincerity of heart. There is no condemnation for those in who are in Christ. For those who willingly pretend to be but are not, it apparently isn't pretty.
Friday, February 7, 2014
2 Peter 1 -- Everything We Need
Sometimes it feels like I'm so poorly equipped to live the life God calls me to. Without Him, I am. I can't win. In Him, I can't lose.
Verse 3: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
The power isn't mine. It is God's. And yet, I tap into that power that resides inside me by putting forth effort. I have to work and train at it. It doesn't happen magically.
Verse 5: "For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness; knowledge;"...and the list goes on from there.
But I have to make the effort. However, the effort I put forth comes not from my own resources but from the divine power within me through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who enables me to put forth the effort directed toward growing in godliness in the first place.
Walking through the process described in this chapter is a big deal with very tangible results. We are assured that we will avoid being ineffective and unproductive (v. 8) as members of His family.
Verse 10b-11: "For if you doe these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Lastly, there are plenty of people in the world who question the historical accuracy of the Bible. It's certainly impossible to prove to someone who doesn't want to believe that the Bible is believable. At the same time, historians have little argument that Peter was an early leader of the church. And Peter himself was there with Jesus and was executed for his role in the spread of Christianity.
He writes in verse 16 about how he was an eyewitness of the majesty of Jesus. If he didn't buy into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, why in the world would he waste his life building the church? Why would he be willing to die for something he knew to be untrue? That stance makes no sense.
Verse 3: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
The power isn't mine. It is God's. And yet, I tap into that power that resides inside me by putting forth effort. I have to work and train at it. It doesn't happen magically.
Verse 5: "For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness; knowledge;"...and the list goes on from there.
But I have to make the effort. However, the effort I put forth comes not from my own resources but from the divine power within me through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who enables me to put forth the effort directed toward growing in godliness in the first place.
Walking through the process described in this chapter is a big deal with very tangible results. We are assured that we will avoid being ineffective and unproductive (v. 8) as members of His family.
Verse 10b-11: "For if you doe these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Lastly, there are plenty of people in the world who question the historical accuracy of the Bible. It's certainly impossible to prove to someone who doesn't want to believe that the Bible is believable. At the same time, historians have little argument that Peter was an early leader of the church. And Peter himself was there with Jesus and was executed for his role in the spread of Christianity.
He writes in verse 16 about how he was an eyewitness of the majesty of Jesus. If he didn't buy into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, why in the world would he waste his life building the church? Why would he be willing to die for something he knew to be untrue? That stance makes no sense.
Friday, January 31, 2014
1 Peter 5 - He Cares
To the elders - be shepherds.
You who are younger - submit yourselves to your elders.
All of you - clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
Cast all your anxiety on him BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.
Be alert and of sober mind.
Resist your enemy, the devil. He prowls like a lion, looking for someone to devour.
God will restore those who suffer.
He will make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Peace to all in Christ.
Whenever I read something written by Peter, I am taken back to the roller coaster ride that was his days of walking with Jesus. Incredible highs, crushing lows. He was called a "Rock". He was told to care for the early believers. He was also called Satan by Jesus himself. That's a pretty broad range of experiences.
When my life feels like a roller coaster ride, or when I feel like God couldn't possibly use me because of things I've said or done, I think of Peter.
You who are younger - submit yourselves to your elders.
All of you - clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
Cast all your anxiety on him BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.
Be alert and of sober mind.
Resist your enemy, the devil. He prowls like a lion, looking for someone to devour.
God will restore those who suffer.
He will make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Peace to all in Christ.
Whenever I read something written by Peter, I am taken back to the roller coaster ride that was his days of walking with Jesus. Incredible highs, crushing lows. He was called a "Rock". He was told to care for the early believers. He was also called Satan by Jesus himself. That's a pretty broad range of experiences.
When my life feels like a roller coaster ride, or when I feel like God couldn't possibly use me because of things I've said or done, I think of Peter.
Friday, January 24, 2014
1 Peter 4 -- Living For God
What does this chapter tell us about what it looks like to live for God? Plenty.
Arm yourselves with the same attitude as Christ (v. 1).
Be alert and of sober mind (v. 7).
Love each other deeply (v. 8).
Offer hospitality without grumbling (v. 9).
Use whatever gift you have to serve others (v. 10)
Remember to do all these things in the strength God provides, because you cannot do them in your own (v. 11).
Rejoice when you suffer, because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ (v. 13).
Arm yourselves with the same attitude as Christ (v. 1).
Be alert and of sober mind (v. 7).
Love each other deeply (v. 8).
Offer hospitality without grumbling (v. 9).
Use whatever gift you have to serve others (v. 10)
Remember to do all these things in the strength God provides, because you cannot do them in your own (v. 11).
Rejoice when you suffer, because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ (v. 13).
Friday, January 17, 2014
1 Peter 3 - Be Prepared
Plenty of good stuff in chapter 3. Wives, treat your husbands well. Husbands, treat your wives well. Repay evil with blessing. The list goes on.
Probably the one that jumped out most at me comes from verse 15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,...".
It's wonderful to identify ourselves as follower of Jesus. It's far better to advance God's Kingdom by living in a way that inspires other people to at least become curious about what it means to live the Christian life. Be prepared to give an answer -- it feels like there are plenty of Christians who are ready to do that. Not all, but many. But out of those who have their answer ready, how many deliver that answer with gentleness and respect. I dare say if the population at large was asked to describe vocal Christians, that gentle and respectful would not be words that come to mind.
Is it not possible to stand for something, and yet do it in a way that is respectful to others, even those who disagree? I absolutely believe it is.
Probably the one that jumped out most at me comes from verse 15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,...".
It's wonderful to identify ourselves as follower of Jesus. It's far better to advance God's Kingdom by living in a way that inspires other people to at least become curious about what it means to live the Christian life. Be prepared to give an answer -- it feels like there are plenty of Christians who are ready to do that. Not all, but many. But out of those who have their answer ready, how many deliver that answer with gentleness and respect. I dare say if the population at large was asked to describe vocal Christians, that gentle and respectful would not be words that come to mind.
Is it not possible to stand for something, and yet do it in a way that is respectful to others, even those who disagree? I absolutely believe it is.
Friday, January 10, 2014
1 Peter 2 - Who We Are and More About How to Live
v. 3 The Lord is good.
v. 9-10 Those in Christ are chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession. We are called to declare His praises. We are His people who have been brought into the light and have received His mercy.
v. 11-12 We are called to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against our souls. That's a big deal. I certainly ought to avoid things that wage war against me. And yet, sometimes I am drawn to the very sinful ideas that are designed to destroy me. Lord have mercy on me.
v. 13-17 We are to submit to human authority out of respect for God.
v. 18-25 We are to submit to human authority, even when the result is suffering, following in the example of Jesus. The commonly stated caveat to this is that we must submit to authority unless it directly contradicts God's Word. Then I read verse 23 it makes me wonder where that line is. Jesus did not retaliate or threaten. He simply suffered. And those under whom He suffered were surely not operating in accordance with God's Word. Verse 21 says that He is our example in this. I am thoroughly convinced that I cannot idly stand by and allow others (especially those who have no voice) to suffer unjustly. But perhaps I am supposed to consider myself differently, being willing to suffer unjustly if necessary. Interesting. Lord, please show me what these verses mean.
v. 9-10 Those in Christ are chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession. We are called to declare His praises. We are His people who have been brought into the light and have received His mercy.
v. 11-12 We are called to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against our souls. That's a big deal. I certainly ought to avoid things that wage war against me. And yet, sometimes I am drawn to the very sinful ideas that are designed to destroy me. Lord have mercy on me.
v. 13-17 We are to submit to human authority out of respect for God.
v. 18-25 We are to submit to human authority, even when the result is suffering, following in the example of Jesus. The commonly stated caveat to this is that we must submit to authority unless it directly contradicts God's Word. Then I read verse 23 it makes me wonder where that line is. Jesus did not retaliate or threaten. He simply suffered. And those under whom He suffered were surely not operating in accordance with God's Word. Verse 21 says that He is our example in this. I am thoroughly convinced that I cannot idly stand by and allow others (especially those who have no voice) to suffer unjustly. But perhaps I am supposed to consider myself differently, being willing to suffer unjustly if necessary. Interesting. Lord, please show me what these verses mean.
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