Chapter summary:
Peter does not mention a particular church as addressees, but rather speaks to all of like faith (1:1-4). If anyone wonders whether he or she really is of like faith, Peter suggests two bases for confidence. First, salvation brings us resources enabling us to live godly lives. We must then "make every effort" to use these resources and develop mature Christian character (vv. 5-9). We confirm our call and election by God when we grow in grace, for we see His work within us (vv. 10-11).
Peter also draws our attention to Scripture. The truths on which we base our hope were delivered by the Son of God Himself (vv. 12-18), and His own testimony about Jesus is demonstrably true, for it is in full harmony with the words of the prophets. And these men "spoke from God" as the Spirit carried them along (vv. 19-21).
The believer’s personal application: Our own changed lives are evidence our salvation is real.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Participating in the divine nature” (1:3-4):
Salvation is a stunning gift. It provides a new and dynamic principle of spiritual life. It infuses us with power for a life of godliness. It lifts us beyond our human limitations so we can "escape the corruption in the world caused by the evil one." Yet somehow we often feel weak and powerless. How can we be sure that we are among those whom God has saved? Other passages reassure us by pointing to Christ as the object of our faith and reminding us that salvation depends on what Jesus has done, not on what we do. Peter takes a different, but very practical approach. He says, in effect, step out and use the resources God has provided!
“Our responsibility” (1:5-7):
God gives us spiritual resources, but we're responsible to use them. Thus Peter says "make every effort" to develop those qualities God's Spirit will produce in our lives. He won't work if we just sit, lethargic. But He will work in us if we do our part.
"Self-control" (1:6):
This quality is mentioned often in both Peter's letters. It is self-discipline, a refusal to give in to greed or excess. Like the other qualities here, self-control is both something we "make every effort" to exercise and a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Don't debate what part is the Spirit's and what part is the believer's. Act as if the responsibility were all yours, knowing that the fruit is all His.
"Make your calling and election sure" (1:10):
How do we develop the confidence that we are truly one of God's people? If we grow in the virtues Peter has listed, that growth itself is proof of Jesus' presence in our lives. This internal confirmation of our election is important to us all.
“Reminded” (1:12-15):
Good news bears repeating and being reminded of all we have in Christ can be of great benefit.
"Eyewitnesses" (1:16-17):
There is objective confirmation of the truth of Christian teaching as well as internal confirmation. The objective confirmation comes through Jesus' teaching—and Peter can testify as an eyewitness to His sonship and His majesty.
“The more certain word of the prophets” (1:19-21):
Peter's point is that the prophets spoke of the same things he witnessed. Thus the Scripture's testimony to Jesus confirms what he witnessed. And the eyewitness reports of the apostles confirm the fulfillment of the prophet's predictions.
“Prophecy's origin” (1:21):
How can the prophets predict with such accuracy events that will not take place for hundreds of years? Peter says that God was speaking through the prophets, expressing in their words exactly what He intended to communicate to humankind (cf. 2 Samuel 23:2; Jeremiah 1:7).
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 5)
Chapter summary:
Peter concludes his letter with a series of exhortations directed to different groups in the church. He urges elders to "shepherd" the flock, watching over them out of love rather than in hope of any gain (5:1-4). The young are to be responsive to the older and remain humble (vv. 5-7). All must exhibit self-control and resist the devil's attempts to discourage or arouse self-pity (vv. 8-9).
With a special word of encouragement Peter assures his readers that "the God of all grace" will restore and strengthen us, to His great glory (vv. 10-11).
Finally Peter says farewell, and sends greetings from his companions in "Babylon" (Rome) (vv. 12-14).
The believer’s personal application: The Christian life is quiet commitment.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Church leadership” (5:1-4):
Leaders, generally called elders or overseers (bishops) and deacons are to follow Christ's example and function as servants in the Christian community (Matthew 20:25-28; cf. 23:11). Their general responsibility is defined in Ephesians 4:12 and in this passage. Leaders are "to prepare God's people for works of service" as ministering members of the body
(1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 10:8). And leaders are to "shepherd" (guard, and guide) the local community of faith (cf. Hebrews 13:17). Leaders must be people who are equipped for these tasks, in part by gift, but essentially by character (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Leaders in fact "shepherd" by both teaching (Titus 2) and by modeling, or serving as an example (1 Timothy 4:11-16; Titus 3:10, 14).
The shepherding ministry does not mean leaders exercise control of believer's behavior. It does mean they focus on nurture, encouraging maturity so that believers' acts of service will be an expression of love-motivated desire and Holy Spirit enablement. When leaders do shepherd, and do so because they want to serve rather than for financial gain or status, Christians will mature.
“Shepherd” (5:2):
The context involves protecting, leading, guiding, feeding, and generally watching out for the well-being of the church, and its members.
"Be submissive" (5:5):
Here as earlier in this letter Peter calls for voluntary submission. But this is interpersonal rather than situational submission. What makes interpersonal submission easy, whether in marriage or in the church, is the respect won by husband or leader through love and example. If we are sure a leader loves us, it is far easier for us to be responsible to his guidance. If we are also confident the leader is a godly person, whose example has won our respect, it is easier still.
Let's apply this in our relationships. Rather than demand children or others obey because of our role, let's win their respect by love and example.
“Why be humble?” (5:5):
Not just because it's right. We should be humble rather than arrogant in our relationships with others because, according to Prov. 3:34, God "gives grace to the humble." If we want to grow, and have strength to overcome despite suffering, we must remain dependent on God.
“Casting anxiety on God” (5:7):
"Casting" is a decisive act. It means to take the load we've been carrying and literally throw it on Jesus. What a relief when we do and realize He is willing to be responsible for the things we are anxious about.
“Not flight but fight” (5:8-9):
Firm resistance is the way to deal with Satan's attacks. But we resist in Christ's power, not our own. Revelation 12:11 describes the victory over Satan in these terms: "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."
“What God will surely do for us” (5:10):
Four emphatic results encourage us:
• "Restore" means to make complete.
• "Make you strong" means to enable to stand fast.
• "Make you firm" again emphasizes strengthening.
• "Make you steadfast" means to place on a firm, secure foundation.
Peter concludes his letter with a series of exhortations directed to different groups in the church. He urges elders to "shepherd" the flock, watching over them out of love rather than in hope of any gain (5:1-4). The young are to be responsive to the older and remain humble (vv. 5-7). All must exhibit self-control and resist the devil's attempts to discourage or arouse self-pity (vv. 8-9).
With a special word of encouragement Peter assures his readers that "the God of all grace" will restore and strengthen us, to His great glory (vv. 10-11).
Finally Peter says farewell, and sends greetings from his companions in "Babylon" (Rome) (vv. 12-14).
The believer’s personal application: The Christian life is quiet commitment.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Church leadership” (5:1-4):
Leaders, generally called elders or overseers (bishops) and deacons are to follow Christ's example and function as servants in the Christian community (Matthew 20:25-28; cf. 23:11). Their general responsibility is defined in Ephesians 4:12 and in this passage. Leaders are "to prepare God's people for works of service" as ministering members of the body
(1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 10:8). And leaders are to "shepherd" (guard, and guide) the local community of faith (cf. Hebrews 13:17). Leaders must be people who are equipped for these tasks, in part by gift, but essentially by character (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Leaders in fact "shepherd" by both teaching (Titus 2) and by modeling, or serving as an example (1 Timothy 4:11-16; Titus 3:10, 14).
The shepherding ministry does not mean leaders exercise control of believer's behavior. It does mean they focus on nurture, encouraging maturity so that believers' acts of service will be an expression of love-motivated desire and Holy Spirit enablement. When leaders do shepherd, and do so because they want to serve rather than for financial gain or status, Christians will mature.
“Shepherd” (5:2):
The context involves protecting, leading, guiding, feeding, and generally watching out for the well-being of the church, and its members.
"Be submissive" (5:5):
Here as earlier in this letter Peter calls for voluntary submission. But this is interpersonal rather than situational submission. What makes interpersonal submission easy, whether in marriage or in the church, is the respect won by husband or leader through love and example. If we are sure a leader loves us, it is far easier for us to be responsible to his guidance. If we are also confident the leader is a godly person, whose example has won our respect, it is easier still.
Let's apply this in our relationships. Rather than demand children or others obey because of our role, let's win their respect by love and example.
“Why be humble?” (5:5):
Not just because it's right. We should be humble rather than arrogant in our relationships with others because, according to Prov. 3:34, God "gives grace to the humble." If we want to grow, and have strength to overcome despite suffering, we must remain dependent on God.
“Casting anxiety on God” (5:7):
"Casting" is a decisive act. It means to take the load we've been carrying and literally throw it on Jesus. What a relief when we do and realize He is willing to be responsible for the things we are anxious about.
“Not flight but fight” (5:8-9):
Firm resistance is the way to deal with Satan's attacks. But we resist in Christ's power, not our own. Revelation 12:11 describes the victory over Satan in these terms: "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."
“What God will surely do for us” (5:10):
Four emphatic results encourage us:
• "Restore" means to make complete.
• "Make you strong" means to enable to stand fast.
• "Make you firm" again emphasizes strengthening.
• "Make you steadfast" means to place on a firm, secure foundation.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 4)
Chapter summary:
What does it mean for the believer to be carried through the waters of judgment and, like Noah, deposited in a new world (3:19-22)? It means we do "not live the rest of [our] earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (4:1-6). Because the end is near, we are to commit ourselves to loving and serving one another, faithfully administering God's grace (vv. 7-11).
We shouldn't be surprised that such a lifestyle involves suffering (v. 12). In fact we should expect to participate—and rejoice—in Christ's suffering. There is no shame in suffering as a Christian. When we do we are simply to commit ourselves and our cause to God, and keep on doing good (vv. 13-19).
The believer’s personal application: Praise God if you suffer for doing good.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Suffering in the body” (4:1):
The thought is better, "suffered in the flesh." Christ's attitude of determination to obey God led to suffering and ultimately death. If we arm ourselves with the same attitude, we'll accept any pain caused by denying our own "evil human desires" in order to likewise do the will of God.
“Pagans in perspective” (4:2-5):
Before conversion we had all the spiritual and moral insights that pagans possess—and spent our lives "doing what pagans choose to do." Pagans cannot understand Christian self-discipline and rejection of sinful pleasures, and actually abuse and ridicule us.
But what we understand is that human beings must give an account to God for their moral choices. Our sharing of the Gospel makes their judgment more severe, for their rejection of Christ fully demonstrates that their bent is toward evil.
“Our commitments” (4:7-11):
Peter has described the pagan's choice: to satisfy their human desires. He now describes the lifestyle that pagans can make no sense of, but which reflects the will of God for His people. This includes: self-control, prayer, mutual love, unstinting hospitality, using gifts for the benefit of others, serving wholeheartedly and "with the strength God provides," seeking in all things to win praise for God through Jesus.
Selflessness makes no sense to selfish people. But to those of us who have been taught to love by Christ, it is the only way to be.
“Love covering sins” (4:8):
Love covers sins not in the sense of winning forgiveness for them, but in that our love for others keeps us from either broadcasting other's faults, or being so angry with others that we refuse to accept or forgive them.
“Participating in Christ's sufferings” (4:13):
Jesus suffered for doing the will of God rather than from any fault of His own. When we suffer despite doing good we share deeply in his kind of suffering. This same thought is expressed in {Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 1:5-7, and Philippians 3:10}. How encouraging to sense a closeness to Him and to realize that our suffering too is purposive.
“Blessed” (4:14):
Jesus expressed this in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:11-12). There is more than one reason for this blessing. In Matthew the source of happiness is the reward such earthly suffering wins for us in heaven. Here the source of our joy is the fact that in our extremity the Spirit of God rests on us in power, to sustain us and give us a sense of the glory such suffering wins.
“Suffering as a Christian” (4:16):
When others persecute and ridicule us for bearing the name "Christian" we shouldn't hang our heads. Not at all. We can lift them up and praise, for we are proud to identify ourselves with our Lord.
“Committing ourselves to God” (4:19):
Why to Him as "faithful Creator"? Because we remember that He is the power who shaped and sustains the universe itself. Trusting ourselves to Him completely, we are free to "continue to do good."
What does it mean for the believer to be carried through the waters of judgment and, like Noah, deposited in a new world (3:19-22)? It means we do "not live the rest of [our] earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (4:1-6). Because the end is near, we are to commit ourselves to loving and serving one another, faithfully administering God's grace (vv. 7-11).
We shouldn't be surprised that such a lifestyle involves suffering (v. 12). In fact we should expect to participate—and rejoice—in Christ's suffering. There is no shame in suffering as a Christian. When we do we are simply to commit ourselves and our cause to God, and keep on doing good (vv. 13-19).
The believer’s personal application: Praise God if you suffer for doing good.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Suffering in the body” (4:1):
The thought is better, "suffered in the flesh." Christ's attitude of determination to obey God led to suffering and ultimately death. If we arm ourselves with the same attitude, we'll accept any pain caused by denying our own "evil human desires" in order to likewise do the will of God.
“Pagans in perspective” (4:2-5):
Before conversion we had all the spiritual and moral insights that pagans possess—and spent our lives "doing what pagans choose to do." Pagans cannot understand Christian self-discipline and rejection of sinful pleasures, and actually abuse and ridicule us.
But what we understand is that human beings must give an account to God for their moral choices. Our sharing of the Gospel makes their judgment more severe, for their rejection of Christ fully demonstrates that their bent is toward evil.
“Our commitments” (4:7-11):
Peter has described the pagan's choice: to satisfy their human desires. He now describes the lifestyle that pagans can make no sense of, but which reflects the will of God for His people. This includes: self-control, prayer, mutual love, unstinting hospitality, using gifts for the benefit of others, serving wholeheartedly and "with the strength God provides," seeking in all things to win praise for God through Jesus.
Selflessness makes no sense to selfish people. But to those of us who have been taught to love by Christ, it is the only way to be.
“Love covering sins” (4:8):
Love covers sins not in the sense of winning forgiveness for them, but in that our love for others keeps us from either broadcasting other's faults, or being so angry with others that we refuse to accept or forgive them.
“Participating in Christ's sufferings” (4:13):
Jesus suffered for doing the will of God rather than from any fault of His own. When we suffer despite doing good we share deeply in his kind of suffering. This same thought is expressed in {Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 1:5-7, and Philippians 3:10}. How encouraging to sense a closeness to Him and to realize that our suffering too is purposive.
“Blessed” (4:14):
Jesus expressed this in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:11-12). There is more than one reason for this blessing. In Matthew the source of happiness is the reward such earthly suffering wins for us in heaven. Here the source of our joy is the fact that in our extremity the Spirit of God rests on us in power, to sustain us and give us a sense of the glory such suffering wins.
“Suffering as a Christian” (4:16):
When others persecute and ridicule us for bearing the name "Christian" we shouldn't hang our heads. Not at all. We can lift them up and praise, for we are proud to identify ourselves with our Lord.
“Committing ourselves to God” (4:19):
Why to Him as "faithful Creator"? Because we remember that He is the power who shaped and sustains the universe itself. Trusting ourselves to Him completely, we are free to "continue to do good."
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