2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Because I spent two years teaching the Precepts Ministries course on the book of Romans, God gave me an enormous gift. He allowed me to see how this book is the key that opens the door to every other one in both the OT and the NT. In a Precepts study, one is always asked to identify the key one or two verses for the entire book. For Romans, it is RO 1: 16-17, “I have complete confidence in the Gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. For the Gospel reveals how God puts people right with Himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the Scripture [HB 2: 4] says, ‘The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.’ “ Having said this, I’m sure you would like to know the key verses for the book of 1 Peter is , since that has been the subject of the latest series of devotions. They are 1 PET 2: 6-7, “I chose a valuable Stone, which I am placing as the Cornerstone in Zion; and whoever believes in Him will never be disappointed. This stone is of great value for you that believe, but for those who do not believe: ‘The Stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.’ “ In looking at this information, we see that Christ Himself and the Gospel are the key issues in God’s messages to us.
Today’s passage is 1 PET 4: 1-6, which I hope you will place in the context of what I just said to appreciate its value to us. “Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking He had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin. From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. You have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols. And now the heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you. But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, Who is ready to judge the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached also to the dead, to those who had been judged in their physical existence as everyone is judged; it was preached to them so that in their spiritual existence they may live as God lives.”
We have the choice to either sin or to suffer for our beliefs. That choice was given to us by Christ’s death on the cross and our willingness to believe in Him. Now, that might seem like a pretty negative situation, but it isn’t when viewed from God’s perspective. RO 8: 18, “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” I have often repeated RO 8: 29 in which Christ is referred to as “the First among many brothers.” There is no more poignant scene in the Scriptures than Christ’s fervent prayers in the Garden of Gesemane the night he was arrested. You will find this described in MT 26: 36-46, MK 14: 32-42, and LK 22: 39-46. LK 22: 40, 42-44, “When He arrived at the place, He said to them [His disciples], ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation’….’Father, if you will, take this cup of suffering away from Me. Not My will, however, but Your will be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. In great anguish He prayed even more fervently; His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” As Christ suffered for us, we are asked to suffer for Him and the faith He has given us following His magnificent example. We are being asked to live for the glory of God, not for the gratification of appetites of the flesh.
Two Scriptures, which bear citation here, shed light on the process by which the Gospel changes our lives. RO 12: 2, “Do not conform to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by the renewal of your mind.” 2 COR 5: 17, “When anyone is joined to Christ, he is a new being; the old one is gone and the new has come.” Making this transformation might be easy for God to accomplish, but it is not always easy for us as it impacts our personal lives. Peter’s comment about the surprised heathen who is very willing to insult the believer for turning from his worldly lifestyle is particularly painful when it comes from one’s own family or very close friends. I can witness to that first-hand. However, enduring that and staying on course with Christ is God giving one an opportunity for spiritual growth that can forward the process of sanctification. Knowing that makes the insults more bearable. I was visiting family living in Nevada at the time when a family member arranged a dinner followed by some entertainment. I was not told ahead of time what that entertainment would be, but it turned out to be one of those shows at a hotel. I can assure you that when others in our group saw how uncomfortable I was at the sexually revealing content of this show, I was given a pretty hard time about it. Seeing the difference in our values face to face like that was painful for one of my brothers and me. It led me to understand that I must spend however long God wants in prayer for the rest of that group.
The Great White Throne judgment described in REV 20: 11-15, which I hope you will read, will happen. Before the Millennium (Christ’s rule on earth for 1000 years while the devil is bound in the abyss) begins, there will be judgment of the living unbelievers. That is what Peter has in mind in (5). The wicked dead will be judged at the close of Christ’s reign on earth. Their condemnation will be proof of the righteousness of the children of God. The fate that these people will meet is a very good reason for us to endure whatever suffering for our beliefs we must to avoid that fate. It is our faith and obedience to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ that will protect us and give us victory over spiritual (second) death.
The message of (6) is one that gives me huge comfort. When we know that the Gospel was preached to the believing dead who physically died in faith, especially those martyred for their beliefs, God reveals His wonderful compassion and mercy. Their physical deaths don’t have to be in vain, because they have the chance to make the same choice to accept Christ as their Savior as we did. That probably explains why we saw such OT prophets as Elijah and Moses in the transfiguration vision of MT 17: 2-3 and why such wonderful servants of God as the OT prophets were will not be denied eternal life with the Father because they lived before Christ was incarnate. Their bodies are dead now, but they are alive in the spirit, enjoying eternal peace and fellowship with God. In fact, they are honored by God.
PRAYER: O Lord, Your love for us is made known in so many ways as we study Peter’s letter and all of the Scriptures. The power of the Gospel to transform our lives by the renewal of our minds releases us from being forced to live lives of sin and experience spiritual death. Christ’s Atonement, that one-time and sufficient sin sacrifice, must have been a painful experience for You, just as it was for Him. Through today’s passage, You reveal that wonderful and undeserved love that You have for us, Your compassion for our suffering, Your desire for us to understand its value to our sanctification, and how very just You are in dealing with those who rejected You and those who died in faith before having the opportunity to hear Christ’s teaching. The pain we must endure from the insults of those who don’t share our faith is nothing in comparison to the blessings You have prepared for us to enjoy in eternity. We dedicate ourselves to facing that suffering, reaching toward Your lofty perspective and enduring it without wavering from our faith in Your Son. We humbly offer You our thanks, praise, adoration, worship, loyalty, obedience, trust, glory, and honor. In Christ’s name, amen.
Tomorrow, we will look at Peter’s discussion in 1 PET 4: 7-11 on good stewardship of God’s gifts. We can believe that just as the angel strengthened Christ to endure the cup of suffering that was God’s will, our loving Abba in heaven is equipping us to deal with whatever suffering comes our way because of the faith we share. We need never feel alone, because He is there with us and for us. We are also able to be there for each other as well; that is His will. My husband, Peter, and I send you our love today too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn