Chapter summary:
Peter concludes his remarks on submission by looking at the marriage relationship (3:1-7). Then he returns to his major theme: suffering unjustly. While this does happen, God is constantly observing us so that He might bless our righteous deeds (vv. 8-12). If suffering should come even though we do good, we are not to fear, being conscious of Christ's lordship, and keep on doing good (vv. 13-17). We are also to remember that Jesus Himself suffered despite doing only good—and that God through Christ's suffering brought us to God. The object of this analogy is to show that when we suffer unjustly, we can expect God to have some good purpose in mind (vv. 18-19).
In another analogy Peter reminds us that as Noah was carried through the floodwaters of judgment to be deposited in a new world, so we too have been carried safely past the danger of judgment and, through our union with Jesus, lifted up into heaven with Him (vv. 20-22). Christ's suffering involved injustice, yes. But what glory His patient suffering won for Him and for us.
The believer’s personal application: Trust God to bring good out of your pain.
Textual Insight
“Submission in marriage” (3:1-6):
Peter includes marriage in his discussion because this too is "Situational" submission. That is, wives are to relate to their husbands as is deemed appropriate in the society. This is particularly important where husbands are not believers (v. 1).
“Real beauty” (3:3):
Peter is not launching a tirade against makeup. He is reminding us that what counts is a person's inner rather man outer beauty. A beautiful spirit in a woman will do far more to win a husband's admiration and allegiance to Christ than a provocative outfit!
Husbands show consideration and respect (3:7). Don't mistake the Bible's references to women's voluntary submission in marriage for divine grant of male domination. Peter reminds us that marriage is a partnership, not slavery.
"Live in harmony" (3:8-13):
Peter describes the "good life" that God looks for and blesses—under normal circumstances. The quote of Ps. 34:12-16 describes the usual case: God watches over the righteous and punishes the evil.
“Response to unjust suffering” (3:14-16):
What if we are "eager to do good," but still suffer harm? Peter gives these guidelines: (1) Do not fear. (2) Remember Christ is Lord. (3) Remain hope-filled and willing to explain why you are still positive about life. (4) Keep on doing good so you will have a clear conscience, and your enemies will be ashamed. (5) Remember, it's better to suffer for doing good than if we were suffering because we had committed some wrong. It's strange but true; in our faith, the victim is the victor, and the persecuted triumph.
"Christ as Lord" (3:15):
We are to remember that Jesus is the sovereign power in this universe. Nothing can happen without His permission. And anything He permits to happen to us is filtered through His love.
Here are four types of submission:
1)“Functional”: a distinguishing of our roles and the work we are called to do.
2)“Relational”: a loving acknowledgment of another's value as a person.
3)“Reciprocal”: a mutual, humble cooperation with one another.
4)“Universal”: an acknowledgment by the church of the all-encompassing lordship of Jesus Christ.
Submission is voluntarily cooperating with anyone out of love and respect for God first, and then secondly, out of love and respect for that person. Submitting to nonbelievers is difficult, but it is a vital part of leading them to Jesus Christ. We are not called to submit to nonbelievers to the point that we compromise our relationship with God, but we must look for every opportunity to humbly serve in the power of God's Spirit.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 2)
Chapter summary:
The Christian's quest for maturity calls for cleansing from sin and an eager desire to "grow up in your salvation" (2:1-3). We are "living stones" in a spiritual temple God is constructing on the foundation of Jesus (vv. 4-8). As God's chosen people, called out of darkness to glorify the Lord, we are to live as aliens in this world, such clear examples of heaven's citizens that even the hostile will see our good deeds and when Jesus returns be forced to admit our deeds were good (vv. 9-12).
One way we exhibit our heavenly citizenship is to obey earthly laws, submitting to rulers and doing good (vv. 13-17). Similarly slaves are to submit even to harsh masters, for Jesus subjected Himself to injustice and we are to follow His example (vv. 18-23). Having been redeemed by Jesus we renounce sin and commit ourselves to live for righteousness (vv. 24-25).
The believer’s personal application: Enduring injustice isn't weakness; it is strength.
Textual Insight
"Pure spiritual milk" (2:2):
Most believe the "spiritual milk" is the Word of God (cf. Heb. 5:11-14). Peter reminds us that as we turn from evil, we will develop a hunger for spiritual truth.
"The living Stone" (2:4):
The "stone" here is a gem of great value, a symbol in the O.T. and Jewish thought of the Messiah. "Living" reminds us of the Resurrection, which demonstrated "with power" that Jesus is "the Son of God" (Rom. 1:4).
“Believers as a temple” (2:5):
The New Testament teaches the living personality of the believer replaces the cold stone of the temple as the focal point of God's presence (1 Cor. 3:16). In calling the church a "holy temple" Peter reminds us that God is now present in the world in us—and that together we are to display His beauty in holy lives.
“A holy and royal priesthood” (2:5, 9):
The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words notes that "Our identity [as priests] enables us to 'declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light.' While some take this as mediating Christ to the world, it is more likely that the reference is to worship. We as a holy priesthood are to offer 'spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 2:5). The other three references—and in Revelation—have a similar emphasis (Rev. 1:5; 5:10; 20:6). With direct access to God through Jesus, we who are God's priestly kingdom are freed to worship Him continually."
“Submission” (2:13, 18):
Submission is subjecting or subordinating oneself to someone or something else. Christians are called on to submit voluntarily to every authority instituted among men (Rom. 13:1). This includes accepting one's role in society, without making judgments about the validity of an institution such as slavery. That is, believers commit themselves to doing what is deemed right according to the norms of one's own culture, assuming of course that what society calls "right" does not require a direct violation of God's commands.
“Christ's example” (2:20-22):
Our natural response to injustice is to fight it, rebelling angrily. This passage deals with "Situational submission" (i.e., submission that is mandated by the society in which one lives). In this case we are to do what is right and if, like Christ, we are treated unjustly anyway, we are to submit.
“An example of meekness” (2:21-25):
Meekness is a gentle attitude, shown in patience untainted by malice despite provocation. When we suffer for doing good, we commit our cause to God as Judge and trust Him to bring good out of injustice. He did this for Jesus. He will do it for us.
The Christian's quest for maturity calls for cleansing from sin and an eager desire to "grow up in your salvation" (2:1-3). We are "living stones" in a spiritual temple God is constructing on the foundation of Jesus (vv. 4-8). As God's chosen people, called out of darkness to glorify the Lord, we are to live as aliens in this world, such clear examples of heaven's citizens that even the hostile will see our good deeds and when Jesus returns be forced to admit our deeds were good (vv. 9-12).
One way we exhibit our heavenly citizenship is to obey earthly laws, submitting to rulers and doing good (vv. 13-17). Similarly slaves are to submit even to harsh masters, for Jesus subjected Himself to injustice and we are to follow His example (vv. 18-23). Having been redeemed by Jesus we renounce sin and commit ourselves to live for righteousness (vv. 24-25).
The believer’s personal application: Enduring injustice isn't weakness; it is strength.
Textual Insight
"Pure spiritual milk" (2:2):
Most believe the "spiritual milk" is the Word of God (cf. Heb. 5:11-14). Peter reminds us that as we turn from evil, we will develop a hunger for spiritual truth.
"The living Stone" (2:4):
The "stone" here is a gem of great value, a symbol in the O.T. and Jewish thought of the Messiah. "Living" reminds us of the Resurrection, which demonstrated "with power" that Jesus is "the Son of God" (Rom. 1:4).
“Believers as a temple” (2:5):
The New Testament teaches the living personality of the believer replaces the cold stone of the temple as the focal point of God's presence (1 Cor. 3:16). In calling the church a "holy temple" Peter reminds us that God is now present in the world in us—and that together we are to display His beauty in holy lives.
“A holy and royal priesthood” (2:5, 9):
The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words notes that "Our identity [as priests] enables us to 'declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light.' While some take this as mediating Christ to the world, it is more likely that the reference is to worship. We as a holy priesthood are to offer 'spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 2:5). The other three references—and in Revelation—have a similar emphasis (Rev. 1:5; 5:10; 20:6). With direct access to God through Jesus, we who are God's priestly kingdom are freed to worship Him continually."
“Submission” (2:13, 18):
Submission is subjecting or subordinating oneself to someone or something else. Christians are called on to submit voluntarily to every authority instituted among men (Rom. 13:1). This includes accepting one's role in society, without making judgments about the validity of an institution such as slavery. That is, believers commit themselves to doing what is deemed right according to the norms of one's own culture, assuming of course that what society calls "right" does not require a direct violation of God's commands.
“Christ's example” (2:20-22):
Our natural response to injustice is to fight it, rebelling angrily. This passage deals with "Situational submission" (i.e., submission that is mandated by the society in which one lives). In this case we are to do what is right and if, like Christ, we are treated unjustly anyway, we are to submit.
“An example of meekness” (2:21-25):
Meekness is a gentle attitude, shown in patience untainted by malice despite provocation. When we suffer for doing good, we commit our cause to God as Judge and trust Him to bring good out of injustice. He did this for Jesus. He will do it for us.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 1)
Chapter summary:
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus, and promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith, and will result in praise, and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9).
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
1) As believers, we are God’s chosen people.
2) We were chosen by God’s before the Earth was ever created, making us His holy people. God’s Spirit makes us holy.
3) God wants us to obey Him; He makes us clean by the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
4) Because God has great mercy, He gives us a new life.
5) The living hope (confident expectation) of every believer is resurrection. We have this expectation because Jesus Himself was raised from the dead (resurrected).
6) We have many blessings awaiting us in Heaven, that cannot be destroyed, spoiled, or lose their beauty.
7) God’s power and our faith work together to protect us, and keeps us safe until Jesus returns for us Church. We will have every promise of salvation fulfilled at His return.
8) We will experience different kinds of trouble, test and trials that will cause us great sadness. However, we experience these troubles, test, and trails to test our faith; to make sure that our faith is real.
9) Our tested faith is invaluable; more valuable than anything. Our faith must be tested to increase its value.
11) Our tested and purified faith will bring us praise, glory and honor when Jesus returns for His Church.
10) Though we have never seen Jesus we love and believe in Him. Our love for Him fills us with joy that cannot be explained.
11) The joy that we have is full of His presence.
12) We must think clearly and have self-control, and prepare our mind to serve others.
13) The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls.
14) The prophets of old wanted to know and understand the salvation that was coming to us through Jesus Christ.
15) The prophets spoke of Jesus sufferings, and the result and glory that would come after His sufferings. However, they didn’t understand their prophecies, because the prophecies were not for that time. They are for us and our time.
16) Even the angels don’t understand the work of salvation experienced by the believer.
17) Because we didn’t understand what God desired and planned for us, we did what we wanted to do. However, we are now God’s children and desire to obey Him.
18) We are called by God to be holy; because He has made us holy, we can live holy.
19) God will judge every person’s work equally. So while we are here on this Earth let us do what’s right!
20) Our old way of living was worthless and useless, but now, our lives are valuable and significant.
21) We have been brought with the precious blood, and death of Jesus Christ, who was a pure and perfect lamb.
22) Jesus’ sacrifice for us was determined before the world was created.
23) We believe in God through Jesus Christ. Our faith and hope are in God.
24) We make ourselves pure by obeying the truth of God’s Word; now we can love each other truly and deeply.
25) The new life we have now comes from something that cannot die; from God’s Word which lives forever!
26) We are all like grass and die; however, the Word of God lives forever!
27) This is the message the Word of God gives us.
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus, and promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith, and will result in praise, and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9).
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
1) As believers, we are God’s chosen people.
2) We were chosen by God’s before the Earth was ever created, making us His holy people. God’s Spirit makes us holy.
3) God wants us to obey Him; He makes us clean by the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
4) Because God has great mercy, He gives us a new life.
5) The living hope (confident expectation) of every believer is resurrection. We have this expectation because Jesus Himself was raised from the dead (resurrected).
6) We have many blessings awaiting us in Heaven, that cannot be destroyed, spoiled, or lose their beauty.
7) God’s power and our faith work together to protect us, and keeps us safe until Jesus returns for us Church. We will have every promise of salvation fulfilled at His return.
8) We will experience different kinds of trouble, test and trials that will cause us great sadness. However, we experience these troubles, test, and trails to test our faith; to make sure that our faith is real.
9) Our tested faith is invaluable; more valuable than anything. Our faith must be tested to increase its value.
11) Our tested and purified faith will bring us praise, glory and honor when Jesus returns for His Church.
10) Though we have never seen Jesus we love and believe in Him. Our love for Him fills us with joy that cannot be explained.
11) The joy that we have is full of His presence.
12) We must think clearly and have self-control, and prepare our mind to serve others.
13) The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls.
14) The prophets of old wanted to know and understand the salvation that was coming to us through Jesus Christ.
15) The prophets spoke of Jesus sufferings, and the result and glory that would come after His sufferings. However, they didn’t understand their prophecies, because the prophecies were not for that time. They are for us and our time.
16) Even the angels don’t understand the work of salvation experienced by the believer.
17) Because we didn’t understand what God desired and planned for us, we did what we wanted to do. However, we are now God’s children and desire to obey Him.
18) We are called by God to be holy; because He has made us holy, we can live holy.
19) God will judge every person’s work equally. So while we are here on this Earth let us do what’s right!
20) Our old way of living was worthless and useless, but now, our lives are valuable and significant.
21) We have been brought with the precious blood, and death of Jesus Christ, who was a pure and perfect lamb.
22) Jesus’ sacrifice for us was determined before the world was created.
23) We believe in God through Jesus Christ. Our faith and hope are in God.
24) We make ourselves pure by obeying the truth of God’s Word; now we can love each other truly and deeply.
25) The new life we have now comes from something that cannot die; from God’s Word which lives forever!
26) We are all like grass and die; however, the Word of God lives forever!
27) This is the message the Word of God gives us.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 1)
Chapter summary:
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus and which promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith and will result in praise and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9.
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
The believer’s personal application: Aliens are always aware they do not really fit in the society where they live.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
"Strangers in the world" (1:1):
This theme is important to Peter. A Christian's home is heaven. Our hopes are not centered in what will happen to us in this world, but the inheritance we will receive when Jesus returns (v. 4). Our values are heaven's values and in conflict with the values of human society (v. 14). When we truly orient our lives to heaven we see our trials in an entirely different way, not as unmixed evils but as purifying fires intended to strengthen us and win even greater glory (v. 6). Only if we see ourselves as strangers here will we be sustained by hope and joy.
“Shielded by God's power” (1:4):
God is on double guard. He keeps our inheritance secure in heaven and He shields us here on earth. God will bring us to heaven and heaven to us.
“Refiner's fire” (1:6-7):
Miners refine gold not to harm it but to purify it and make it more valuable. When you experience troubles, don't think, "God is punishing me." Like the refiner, God's intent is to purify your faith, to make you even more valuable to others and to Him.
“Joy in the unseen” (1:8-9):
How many look hopefully for joy in the Lotto numbers printed each week in the newspaper! As for us, we've already won! We have Jesus, and though He is unseen He brings us inexpressible joy.
“Time and circumstances” (1:10-12):
Old Testament prophets spoke of Jesus, but could not put together the dues in their own writings to understand how the suffering and glory of the Messiah could possibly fit together. Looking back on the Cross and the Resurrection we know. We learn in this life that suffering and glory are not at all incompatible. We suffer now; glory follows.
"Conform" (1:14):
Strangers refuse to let an alien society squeeze them into its mold.
“Holiness” (1:15):
Old Testament holiness called for Israel to separate from everything ritually or morally impure. New Testament holiness calls for living morally pure lives despite the fact that we must live in sinful human society. We are to be holy in all we do, "abstain from sinful desires," and live "godly lives" among the pagans around us (2:11).
“Alien” (1:17):
In the Roman Empire aliens were subject to the state and paid heavy taxes, but were viewed as subject to their own national laws. We cannot expect concern for our "rights" from pagan society. But we can live as citizens of heaven, subject to its laws and protected by God.
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus and which promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith and will result in praise and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9.
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
The believer’s personal application: Aliens are always aware they do not really fit in the society where they live.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
"Strangers in the world" (1:1):
This theme is important to Peter. A Christian's home is heaven. Our hopes are not centered in what will happen to us in this world, but the inheritance we will receive when Jesus returns (v. 4). Our values are heaven's values and in conflict with the values of human society (v. 14). When we truly orient our lives to heaven we see our trials in an entirely different way, not as unmixed evils but as purifying fires intended to strengthen us and win even greater glory (v. 6). Only if we see ourselves as strangers here will we be sustained by hope and joy.
“Shielded by God's power” (1:4):
God is on double guard. He keeps our inheritance secure in heaven and He shields us here on earth. God will bring us to heaven and heaven to us.
“Refiner's fire” (1:6-7):
Miners refine gold not to harm it but to purify it and make it more valuable. When you experience troubles, don't think, "God is punishing me." Like the refiner, God's intent is to purify your faith, to make you even more valuable to others and to Him.
“Joy in the unseen” (1:8-9):
How many look hopefully for joy in the Lotto numbers printed each week in the newspaper! As for us, we've already won! We have Jesus, and though He is unseen He brings us inexpressible joy.
“Time and circumstances” (1:10-12):
Old Testament prophets spoke of Jesus, but could not put together the dues in their own writings to understand how the suffering and glory of the Messiah could possibly fit together. Looking back on the Cross and the Resurrection we know. We learn in this life that suffering and glory are not at all incompatible. We suffer now; glory follows.
"Conform" (1:14):
Strangers refuse to let an alien society squeeze them into its mold.
“Holiness” (1:15):
Old Testament holiness called for Israel to separate from everything ritually or morally impure. New Testament holiness calls for living morally pure lives despite the fact that we must live in sinful human society. We are to be holy in all we do, "abstain from sinful desires," and live "godly lives" among the pagans around us (2:11).
“Alien” (1:17):
In the Roman Empire aliens were subject to the state and paid heavy taxes, but were viewed as subject to their own national laws. We cannot expect concern for our "rights" from pagan society. But we can live as citizens of heaven, subject to its laws and protected by God.
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