Home | Choose Life Everlasting | Truth Letters | Truth Music | How God Stuff Works - archives | Truth Blog
1 Peter 2
Led to be a Marvelous Light by a Merciful God
(New Jerusalem under construction in a fallen world)
|
Chapter Two Outline |
|
Born by the Word and Grown by the Word
VERSE 1-3 (1)
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,
all evil speakings, (2) As newborn
babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (3) If so be ye have tasted that the
Lord is gracious.
Here, Peter lists a spiritual progression in reverse order: Tasting the Lord as gracious refers to receiving God's words 'unto salvation'. After that, the way of salvation is one of growing in Christ while the old man, with his sin and lusts, shrivel up.
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,all evil speakings"
The deeds of the old nature will crowd out spiritual growth unless they are pulled out of our heart and mind, like weeds from a garden.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. Ja. 1:21 [In James 1:13-16, we see that when we receive the lusts of the flesh (filthiness) the result is sinful deeds of death (wickedness), Therefore we are to focus on receiving the word so we won't obey the lusts of the flesh]
Q. What do we notice about the sins listed in verse one?
They are all hateful sins of the heart as opposed to sins of the lusts of the flesh. The former category always follows the latter---they rise up in man's heart as he walks in the way of the flesh.
Q. How do we "lay aside" these sins?
1) By remembering that we have died to sin in Christ
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Rom. 6:11-13
2) By setting our hope and affections above and not on the earth.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Rom. 13:14
|
Your heart is a garden...weed it! |
"As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"
Those who 'eat' the gospel unto salvation will continue to feast on God's word unto sanctification. The Bible uses many symbols for the word---seed, bread, water and light are some common ones. In verse two we see milk as a picture of God's word.
Q. What is it about milk that makes it an appropriate metaphor of the word in this passage?
|
God's word is like a mother's milk |
"if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious"
God's bitter words of judgment become sweet and full of grace when we receive the gospel by faith.
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into thewilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he
threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made
for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. Ex. 15:22-25 [Water is a type of the word. The bitter waters speak of God's words of judgment (also see Ps. 69:1-2. The tree is a picture of Christ who was cut down and suffered under God's punishment for man's sins. Now, all who receive the gospel enter into a sweet fellowship with God and His word.]
After we escape the curse through faith in Christ, God's words become a place of sweet blessing
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Ps 34:8
|
The bitter-sweetness of God's word |
Our Oneness with Christ
VERSE 4-5. (4) coming to Him, [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed
by men, but chosen by God, [and] precious, (5)
you also, as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
"coming to Him"
Continuously
drawing near…as on a path. We are born again by God's word, and thereby enter the gate of salvation, Once inside the gate, we walk down the path of Christlikeness. This is a similar idea to verse two where drinking the milk causes believers to grow in Christlikeness.
|
A believer's destiny is to be like Jesus |
as to a living stone, rejected indeed
by men but chosen by God, and precious"
Jesus came into the world to build God's house and be the Cornerstone of that house. But the Jews rejected Jesus after examining His words because they didn't fit in with the traditions they had built that was suitable for the lusts of the flesh (see verses 6-8).
"you also, as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ"
Those who accept the words of Jesus by faith become part of Him in order to be his servants. Jesus became like us so we might be like Him and serve Him (see verse 9).
Salvation Step 1:
Jesus was sent from heaven to live and die for man...
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:6-8
Salvation Step 2:
...So we might die and live in Him
Beloved, now we are children of
God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He
appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1Jn. 3:2
Three pictures of our oneness with Christ:
1. Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides
in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do
nothing." John 15:5 [We Abide in Him and we bear His fruit]
2. Jesus is the Head and we are the body
But I want you to understand that Christ is the
head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the
head of Christ. 1Corinthians 11:3 [We serve Him by doing the Work He gives us]
3. Jesus is the Cornerstone upon which we are the living stones
And Jesus said to him,
"Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal
this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "I also say to you that you
are Peter (petros), and upon this rock (petra)
I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matt.
16:17-18 [We rest on Him as our secure dwelling place---while he continues to build us up into a dwelling place for God]
|
Jesus was sent like us so we might be like Him |
Stumbling Over the Cornerstone
VERSE 6-8 (6)For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME" (7)This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE, (8)and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble being disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
"For this is contained in Scripture:
"BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS"
Refers to Isaiah 28:16
The Cornerstone's judgment and righteousness extends through the living stones that rest on it
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it
will not be disturbed. Judgment
also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet... Isaiah 28:16-17 [Judgment (mishpat) and righteousness (tsedaqah) appear
together in dozens of verses in the Old Testament as the two characteristics of
God that are to be evidenced in His people. The first verse in the Bible where
these two Hebrew words appear together is in Genesis 18 where God promises Abraham that through him God will bring forth a nation who will keep the
righteousness and judgment of God]
The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness [tsedaqah] and justice [mishpat], so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." Gen. 18:17-19 [When we get to the New Testament, we this promise to Abraham was about building a heavenly city which has foundations whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:10). This refers to we, the living stones, resting on Christ our Cornerstone]
How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times! Psalm 106:3
Q. What is the difference between righteousness and judgment and how do they relate to God’s word?
|
|
Judgment is kept and observed with the attitude of a night watchman. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1John 3:9 [God's word is His seed by which we receive new birth. The seed continues to grow in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, becoming our spiritual eyes to see, legs to walk and hands to serve]
Righteousness is walking and serving along the lines of God’s word---summarized as love of God and others. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1John 4:17 [The love that Jesus practiced in the world is the line of righteousness that marks the hearts of His living stones]. |
|
The Cornerstone projects its judgment and righteousness throughout the building |
"AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME"
Q. In Isaiah chapters 28 and 29, how does Isaiah describe the 'Disappointed' ones?
1. Spiritual Drunkards
They are swallowed up of wine,
they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble
in judgment. Isaiah 28:9 [In Isaiah28:1-9, God describes Ephraim’s leaders (the northern kingdom of Israel) as being drunk---unable to walk or see..Isaiah is referring to spiritual drunkenness as described in chapter 29]
(9) They become drunk, but not with wine, They stagger, but not with strong drink. (10) For the LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, (11) The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, "Please read this," he will say, "I cannot, for it is sealed." (12) Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, "Please read this." And he will say, "I cannot read." Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned. Isaiah 29:9-13 [Israel's spiritual drunkards were building their 'house' from traditions learned from men, not God's truth. Therefore God shut their eyes to the truth of scriptures]
2. Reject God's offer of knowledge and understanding
(9) "To whom would He teach knowledge, And to whom would He interpret the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast? (10) "For He says, 'Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.' " Isaiah 28:9-10 [God's gradually teaches his truth to those who have tasted that the Lord is good]
(12) He who said to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen. (13) So the word of the LORD to them will be, "Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there," That they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive. Isaiah 28:12-13 [Ephraim refused to be built up in God’s word, so God allowed them to go down a path of lies that ensnared them into destruction and captivity]
3. Preference for deceitful words of death and destruction
(15)“Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we havemade lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves...(17)and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” Isaiah 28:15,17 [All who reject God's Cornerstone are choosing a way of deception and destruction, ultimately falling under God's Judgment]
|
Christ's judgment shines through believers but crushes unbelievers |
"This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those
who disbelieve, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE
CHIEF CORNERSTONE'
Refers to Psalm 118:22
"The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief
corner stone"
Q. Who were the builders that rejected Christ?
They were the "disappointed" of verse six---spiritual drunkards that rejected God's word in favor of false words.
Q. What were these "builders" building?
A house made of traditions of men.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition…Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Mark 7:9,13
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1Peter 1:18
Q. Why did they reject Christ?
His words did not fit with their building. They preferred words that appealed to the flesh. God's word builds up the new man, false words puff up the flesh.
|
Man's word puffs up but God's word builds up |
"and, 'A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE' for they stumble being disobedient to the word"
Refers to Isaiah 8:14-15
The Lord
spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of
this people. “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call
conspiracyf;
do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. He said:. Sanctify
the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for
a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and
be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. I
will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face
from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Here am I, and the
children the Lord has given me. We are
signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion .
who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. Isaiah
8:11-18 [Both
houses of Israel did not walk in God’s ways. They did not fear the Lord. If they
had feared the Lord they would have received His words and entered God’s
spiritual sanctuary. Isaiah says that God’s face (i.e. His truth) would be
hidden from the nation until the coming of the Messiah, who as the Cornerstone together with the foundational living stone disciples (Heb. 2:11,13), would deliver God’s truth to the Nation of Israel. But when the Messiah eventually arrived, the Jews would not
receive these words of righteousness by faith---preferring to establish their own
righteousness (Rom.10:1-4)—causing them to stumble and fall over the Cornerstone]
"and to this doom they were also appointed"
|
Two Destinations Prepared and Set by God |
The Marvelous Light of a Merciful God
VERSE 9-10 (9)But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10)You once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY
Refers to Deut 7:6
For thou art an holy people unto
the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth... The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose
you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the
fewest of all people:But because the LORD loved you, and because he
would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD
brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of
bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love
him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deut. 7:6,9
1) The unity of God's people
"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION"
2) The work of God's people
"so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light"
Light is symbolic of the truth and way of God; as displayed by word and deed.
a) Serving under "Melchizedek"
And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." Heb. 5:4-6 [Christ was sent into this world as the Son of God by the will of the Father. Similarly, Christ did not honor himself by proclaiming himself to be a king-priest, he was anointed so by the Father]
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Heb.6:20 [Christ is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Those in Christ are 'little Melchizadeks' in the sense that, as the body of the Head, we assist Jesus in his work both as High Priest and King ]
Serving as priests under our High Priest
Q. How
does the body of Christ function as priests?
We serve and offer up spiritual sacrifice and service, in fulfillment of the OT shadow of the tabernacle priests: We see the trimming of the
wick of the golden candlestick as the service of eliminating whatever
uncleanliness impedes the light of Christ in His church. The table of showbread
held twelve loaves which represents God’s ministered to his people . And the golden altar of incense was for the sweet smelling
incense of prayer offered up through Christ, our Head.
Trimming the Wick
Therefore Iurge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good
and acceptable and perfect. Rom.12:1-2 [God’s
light will only shine in his church if our affections are set above, not on the
earth---this is like the trimming of the wick by the OT priests in the
tabernacle. Paul then goes on to describe the operation of our gifts in
building up the body of Christ on earth---the work of the ‘priesthood’]
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Eph 4:11-13 [This is a similar passage to the Romans 12 passage, but here the emphasis is on building each other up by ministering God’s word to each other through our gifts]
Serving as rulers under our King
Q. How does the Body of Christ function as royalty?
The
churches role as a ruling prince under our King awaits a future time when we
receive the scepter that He receives from the Father to rule the nations. Until
then, believers have no authority over the earth. And the authority among
believers, is to humbly minister to each other while proclaiming the truth of God in the darkness.
Ministering His word over the nations
He who overcomes, and he who keepsMy deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE
SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO
PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; Rev, 2:26-27
[The Father gives ruling authority over the nations to Jesus who passes that authority to His Body, the Church. ]
Ministering His word among His church
But Jesus called them unto him,and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them,
and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so
among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Matt. 20:25-27
[Jesus demonstrated that we are to lead the members of his body by example and by humbly ministering the word each other rist as a household
of priests when He washed the feet of the disciples during the Last Supper]
3) The purpose of a merciful God
"You once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY"
Q. Why and How does God use the marvelous light of his church on earth:
1) To offer his mercy and truth to a people dwelling in a dark and dying world
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt 5:14-16
2) To serve each other in the light so the light of Christ might grow even brighter
…the one who says he abides in Him
ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. The one who says he is
in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one
who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling
in him. 1Jn. 2:6, 9-10
3) As vessels to display God's mercy and the love while offering praise to God
|
|
(click to read something marvelous)
|
Be a marvelous light of a merciful God |
End of Doctrine and Beginning of Practical Application
1Peter 2:12-20 - Rightly Judging our Relationships
Rightly Judging Our Flesh
VERSE 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
Believers are to be ever mindful that our citizenship is in heaven, and while on earth we have an enemy who seeks to sift us like wheat, which he will do if we are walking around without our spiritual armor.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God [idolatries that attract the flesh of a believer are ripped down by the word of God], and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, [the thoughts of the flesh are displaced by thoughts of and about Christ as his Spirit engages his word in us] 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Q. What else besides the flesh is at war against the soul?
Satan and his demons
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [the devil's objective is to cause us to 'fall' into sin. To 'stand' means to not sin] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph. 6:10-12
The world and its systems
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1Jn 2: 15-17 [the world systems are like a magnet for the flesh, pulling the it toward destruction as encouraged by the deceitful words of Satan]
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course [aion = fads, things that come and go] of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience [apeitheia = non believers]. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Eph 2:1-3
Rightly Judging Our Walk Among Unbelievers
VERSE 12 - Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
"so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers"
Q. How was Jesus slandered as an evildoer?
Among other things, Jesus was accused of sedition, or having designs to overthrow Caesar. And given Peter's teaching that believers are a holy nation and a royal priesthood, it is easy to see how those words could be twisted to mean a movement against Caesar and the local ruling authority.
"they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God"
Q. In what ways do outsiders glorify God as a result of a believers good behavior.
As they acknowledge God's work among His people; for example in Luke 7:12-17 where Jesus raised a grieving woman's only son from the dead:
The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A
great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!" Luke 7:16
The can be drawn to God's truth and enter His salvation, thereby being counted among the righteous in the day of judgment.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Ps. 1:5-6 [God's word is the way of God that marks the righteous from the wicked who walk in ways that perish]
"as they observe them" = epopteuo = to watch, to view intently
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 1Peter 3:2
"in the day of visitation" = episkope = appointment, oversee. God visits people in various ways at appointed times, such as in judgment, conviction of the Holy Spirit, OT visible visitations (e.g. Abraham under the tree on the plains of Marah) and OT fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus.
When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. "For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, Luke 19:44
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, Luke 1:68
All mankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their visitation they will perish. Jer. 51: 17-18
Rightly Judging Governmental Earthly Authority over us
VERSES 13-15 - (13)Therefore submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, (14)or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (15)For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
God has established and given authority to earthly rulers so that he might direct their hearts and so order certain events. For believers to rail against earthly authorities is to wrongly judge how God's will is accomplished through them.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. Forthere is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Rom. 13:1-2,
Q. Why is this passage appropriate here?
Because it would be natural for believers to ask to what extent our being a people of God, a holy nation and royal priesthood trumps the laws of man.
Q. For what purpose does God's use earthly kingdoms and kings?
To administer justice against evil doers and to enable us to dwell peaceably
..for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Rom.13:4
He controls the hearts of kings in order to control history
The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Pr. 21:1
Q. Will Christians ever have authority over the world?
Believers are a holy nation and royal priesthood, but our kingdom is not of this world. However, there will come a day when we will assist Christ in his direct rule over the nations Rev.2:26-27
Q. What now is the downside of Christians bucking the earthly Governments
1) It will derail the testimony of Christ
2) Believer will not dwell peaceably
3) Since we know it is God's will for us to obey the Government authorities, our conscience should convict us.
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. Rom.13:5
Rightly Judging our Earthly Authority Over Others
VERSE 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Many free men had servants they treated as second class citizens. But Christian free men were to treat their servants mindful that they were servants of Christ.
And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Eph 6:9
Q. What did Jesus say about being set free?
Freedom in Christ is freedom in multiple ways
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet
been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become
free'?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you." Jn 8:31-37 [the truth is the gospel which when received into the heart remains there as the seed of God and bears fruit---the Spirit not only giving life but enabling a the heart to walk in freedom from the power of sin. Furthermore, receiving the truth redirects our eternal destination to where Jesus is and not where those who reject Christ go when they leave their house (their bodies)].
Q. What are the requirements to become spiritual servant of God?
Having hearts and minds that have been set free to walk by His word.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn yourfreedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Gal 5:13-14
Rightly Judging Everybody
VERSE 17 - Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
"Honor" = timao = rightly value
Q. Why are all people honorable?
Because God so loved them that he gave His only begotten Son to die for them.
Q. Why is the king honorable?
Because they are given authority by God in order to accomplish His purposes
"love the brotherhood"
Q. Should we love the brotherhood more than our unconverted neighbor?
The body of Christ is called foremost to serve the body; the better job we do at serving each other through our gifts, the more we shine his marvelous light in the darkness where the unconverted dwell; the more we serve other believers, the more we attract unbelievers.
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Eph. 4:15-16
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Gal. 6:10
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the {child} born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 1 Jn 5:1-2
"fear God"
Q. What does it mean for His children to fear God?
1) Fear God not man, or the flipside of the coin, care more about pleasing God than pleasing man or yourself.
2) As His children, we should have a healthy fear of the chastisement of a Father that loves us
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Heb 12:11
Rightly Judging those with Authority Over Us in the Workplace
VERSES 18-20 - (18)Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to the harsh. (19)For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. (20)For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. Eph. 6:5-8
Q. How should believers today apply this passage?
We are to view our earthly service to earthly masters (e.g. our superiors at work) within the greater context of our service to our heavenly Master who is pleased when we show humble service to those who we owe service to. This is similar to God's command to subject ourselves to Governmental authorities, but Q, how is it the same and how is it different?
Christ Our Example of Being Led
VERSES 21-23 - (21)For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, (22)WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; (23)and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow
in His steps"
Christ is the marvelous light who we have been called out of darkness are being led to reflect. We are led by His word.
But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. John 3:21
"WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"
By the light of God's word we are led on the path of holiness.
Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; he one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1John 3:7-10 [Christ was the Word of God made flesh--the exact personification of the word of the Father. That word comes out of the mouth of Christ like a seed offering new spiritual life to whosoever believes. Believers are to increasingly reflect that seed as it grows like a fruitful branch of the Vine in our heart and mind. To the extent we reflect unrighteousness (that which has its roots in our fallen nature with its connection to hell where Satan is -- James 3:6) we are to confess the sin in order to keep our fellowship with the Word of Life fruitful 1John1:1-10]
"and while being reviled, He did not revile in
return; while suffering, He uttered no threats but kept entrusting
Himself to Him who judges righteously"
Our Great Shepherd leads us just as He was led by the Father; and trusted His Father just as we are to trust Christ. Sheep don't take matters into their own hands, they look to the Shepherd.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7 [Sheep are best cared for when they patiently and trustingly wait under the watchful care of the shepherd. He is leading us to be marvelous lights]
|
Our Great Shepherd was led by the Father |
Healed from Sin to Follow Him
VERSES 24-25 - (24)and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the
cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (25)For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
The penalty of sin is death, and the power of sin in our flesh was blindness, deafness, lameness and restlessness in relation to God's ways of righteousness. God's remedy for both the power and penalty of sin is Christ's work at Calvary. Many words are used to describe the benefit to sinners of Christ's work (e.g. cleaned, saved, justified, forgiven, reconciled etc.). In this passage, the description is that we have been healed.
"and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed"
Q. How healed?
We are healed by Christ's work at Calvary.
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Rom 6:6-7 [Christ's work at Calvary not only cancelled our sins but crucified the flesh so that we might be able to walk in freedom from its powerful lusts]
"For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls"
Q. Why healed?
We are healed so that we might walk in the ways of God
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Rom 6:17-18 [receiving the gospel by faith is the beginning of our walk of faith. It is the gate to walk in newness of life]
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Rom. 6:11-14 [The righteousness of God is His word that marks the way for our hearts and minds to go and to be. Straying like sheep means walking where God's word isn't. As a Shepherd he leads us, John 10:4 ...as a Guardian he feeds us, Acts 20:28]
|
Jesus was wounded so we might be healed |
|
© 2012 by Steve Popovich |
