encouragement

Entrusted to God; Living for Him

Think! God has entrusted you, as His child, with His Truths. This is enormous! It is the most valuable possession we can have –

In this last chapter of 1Peter, the Apostle concludes with instructions given to the elders of the church to shepherd the flock in verses 1-4. Then Peter gives specific instructions to those who are younger, and also addresses the group as a whole – encouraging them, praying for them, praising God, and reminding them to stand firm in their faith.

1Peter 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

‘Therefore’ resumes the exhortation from 1Peter 4:19, Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Peter’s message of ‘keep on keeping on with your focus on your heavenly future’ continues. It’s as if he is saying, ‘since you have entrusted your souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right’, then here is your calling. Before we get to the specifics of what they ought to do, we’ll look at who this letter is addressed to and the words the Apostle uses to describe himself.

First, the Apostle addresses those in charge – the elders among you. Peter includes himself in this group of those he is exhorting; he refers to himself as a fellow elder. These are the individuals who care for the church – the shepherds of the flock, the teachers, pastors, elders, and deacons. They may have also been elders in age considering that Peter addresses the younger men in verse five, but this does not change the exhortation to the ministers of the church. We learn something about Peter’s humility in this verse as he includes himself in the same role as the elders of the church. He was one of the twelve disciples and a witness of Jesus’ life and death, yet he does not place himself in any position except that of serving together with those he is writing to. He also spent time with Jesus under His direct teaching but notice that the direction Peter gives to these men who lead the church is for himself also. If we are worldly thinking, then who you know gives you clout. When we are Christ-minded, each of us is equal; the need for our salvation is the same; the price paid the same; the eventual fruition of God’s grace and mercy the same. Individually we have certain roles, but each person is needed and as important as another.

To exhort in this verse means to invite, to call for, to (be of good) comfort, to desire. It seems that this is not so much a command as it is an encouragement to come alongside one another in their endeavors to lead the flock. Read this as an earnest request from the Apostle to the ministers of the church to press on.

Note, Peter describes himself as a witness of the sufferings of Christ. Imagine, walking with Christ physically, in His footsteps literally. This was Peter’s experience.

Acts 1:21-22 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us – beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

The Apostle well understood the sufferings of Jesus.

Acts 3:5 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 10:39 "We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.

“He was with Christ in the garden; he was with him when he was apprehended. and he was with him in the high priest's hall. Whether he followed him to the cross we know not; … He could, however, with the strictest propriety, say, from the above circumstances, that he was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. We are all to be a witness for Christ”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

The word witness, martus, is literal or figurative, by analogy, a martyr, someone who gives his life. A witness is also someone who can give an account or record of what they have seen or heard. Read what Jesus said to the Apostles:

Luke 24:44-48 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. "You are witnesses of these things.

Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Pause for a moment and consider the Apostle who wrote this epistle. He walked with Jesus, he was friends with Jesus, shared meals with Him, and listened to His teachings. But Peter also knew what it meant to be pulled by fear, selfishness, and sin in the world. He denied the Teacher and Friend whom he loved and suffered the regret and shame of his weakness. Yet God still used him mightily. Our faithfulness may falter as we fight sin but God’s faithfulness to His children is always certain. Peter had witnessed the suffering of Jesus, he experienced His faithfulness and forgiveness, and now he was willing to suffer for Him.

Think of the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Known by the name of Saul and a great persecutor of Christians, God called him to be a witness, and his life was dramatically changed. God is faithful to His children even when they are not, His forgiveness and blessings abound. This is a good reminder to move forward in our serving and walk with God despite our failures, because He is the One holding us up, providing His strength that we might continue to glorify His name. It is also an important reminder that we should never give up on praying for those who haven’t placed their trust in Jesus. God is working in hearts even though we may not see it. There is no one He cannot save if they genuinely seek Him.

Acts 22:14-15 "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Consider what it means personally for you to be a witness of Jesus Christ. To speak truth from God’s word, we must endeavor to know it; if we are to witness by our life, we must seek to understand what God desires from us so that we can be obedient and faithful to His call.

Think! God has entrusted you, as His child, with His Truths. This is enormous! It is the most valuable possession we can have – to be purchased by our Savior’s blood, to be called by God, to be an heir of His promises.

Do you seek to be a faithful witness of God’s word in your speech and in your serving? If so, how – what does this look like?
Is the desire of your life to be an ambassador of the Truth? Is your answer backed by action?
When others look at your life, do they ‘see’ Jesus; do they know there is something different about you? If asked about Jesus, do you respond as a witness of who He is and what He has done?

More than once, after sharing the Gospel with someone, I have heard their response of, ‘I know I need to do this but I’m not ready’. There are examples written for us of those who were called by Jesus and immediately left what they were doing and followed Him. There is an urgency to respond to Him, tomorrow is not guaranteed. In and of ourselves we would never be ready to bow before Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. It is God’s work in us – when we respond to His call, it is His power which changes our thinking, our behavior, and all the ‘things’ in our lives that need attention.

Everything else in our lives is secondary to our walk with Jesus. We are to be striving to become increasingly like Him, to give glory to God through our testimony of His truths. Being a Christian, a follower of Christ, is not something we add to our life – it becomes our purpose for living, our mode for serving, and our focus for the future.

Today, what is your purpose? How will you serve? Where is your focus?

Along with being a witness of the sufferings of Christ, the Apostle associates himself with being a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed. He shares in the praise and worship of Christ for the hope that is promised to those who follow Him. A believer’s inheritance is Heaven!

Do you anticipate your home in Heaven where you will be in the presence of God’s glory?

I have sweet memories of spending time with my dad in the weeks before he passed away. He wanted to hear about heaven. He was not afraid of death, instead he looked forward to his future. I remember his eyes lighting up when we read the description of the holy city, Jerusalem, found in Revelation Chapter 21.

Imagine. The hope we have of heaven is absolutely certain. Those who have placed their trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins become heirs in God’s Kingdom. Not because we have earned it but because of His grace.

1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

John 17:19-24 "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 8:17-18 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Our purpose is to be a witness for Christ.

Our promise is Heaven.

Psalm 73:24-5 With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

Some questions for application –

Are you willing to check your priorities? Specifically, what causes you to neglect reading your Bible and praying?

If you are in a Growth Group or Bible study, are you committed to attending and serving in your group or do you make excuses to not attend each week?

Think – when we are committed to something, we are faithful. This means if we attend a Growth Group, or Bible study, or go to church on Sunday, then we hold those commitments as a priority, not purposefully making other plans at those times, or only attending when we feel like it or when it fits into our busy schedule. If our pattern is one of being too tired or too busy to commit to fellowship and encouragement of others, this should cause us to re-think our priorities.

Do you attend church services or go to a GG or Bible Study or church event to be served or to serve?

We are encouraged when we encourage others. We can easily take for granted our ability to meet publicly, let’s remember this is an incredible blessing – one which many believers in parts of the world do not have. Lord, increase our understanding of Your blessings!

Help us to take seriously our witness of Christ; help us to live focused on our hope of Heaven.

Honoring God With Our Speech

Does your understanding come from God’s holy word? Do your lips speak of His truths? Is He honored by your speech?

1Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Previously, in Chapter 4, Peter had reminded his brothers and sisters in Christ to live for the will of God, using Christ as their example. Last time we were in this section of scripture, we read verses 8-10. Peter gave some direct instructions in these verses –

Keep fervent in your love for one another (v.8),

Be hospitable to one another (v.9), and

Serve one another using the gifts God has given (v.10).

Peter had finished with the command to serve one another with whatever gifts they had. Now, he specifically addresses our speech and ministry to others. We will look at the first part of verse eleven in this study.

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God.

Speaking includes talking, teaching, and preaching; basically, anytime you open your mouth. Most commentaries agree this instruction is more specifically directed towards teachers and preachers; however, this does not mean if you are not teaching, you are off the hook with your speech! But if you do teach there is an even greater responsibility to be careful to represent the Word correctly. We are to be careful with how we represent God’s word in all circumstances.

Think of your own speech. According to several sources, women speak an average of 16,000 to over 20,000 words per day, in some cases up to 25,000! Consider how many of your words are spoken from a heart which represents Christ. Our every utterance does not need to be a quote from the Bible, but it does mean that we are mindful to assess our words; that they encourage others in Truth. Kind and careful words can bless, while careless words can harm and discourage.

Colossians 4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Grace-filled speech results from God’s influence upon our heart. It is a reflection of His work in our lives. The book of Colossians was written by Paul to the church towards the end of his first imprisonment in Rome. Prayer was instrumental in his own ministry and that of others. In the verse above, notice his prayer was for the purpose of sharing Truth. He asked that his words be filled with the mystery of Christ, and that his words would be sensitive to those who would hear. He reminded the church to use wisdom in how they responded to each person.

Titus 2:1-8 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

The book of Titus was written by Paul to Titus who was most likely converted to Christianity by Paul’s ministry. These were Paul’s instructions to Titus and the church. Look at the emphasis placed on speech. Make sure your words represent truth from the Bible; not being a slanderer but teaching what is right. We can only speak what we know and understand. It is so important for each believer to search God’s word for direction.

Think! Does your understanding come from God’s holy word? Do your lips speak of His truths? Is He honored by your speech?

Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

David wrote these words when he had fled from Saul’s persecution to Gath. King Achish’s servants recognized David to be the one who killed Goliath, so David acted like he was insane to protect himself. Then David escaped to the cave of Adullam in Palestine. All the while, throughout his fleeing for safety, the Psalmist was still more concerned with honoring God. He knew God was his protection, and living in righteousness was his goal. In Psalm 34:13, he addresses the area of speech – keep your speech from evil, from mischief, from deceit.

Recognize, the rules do not change dependent on the circumstances. It is easy to use kind and encouraging words when someone is pleasant toward you. What happens when someone is inconsiderate or just mean with their words? Do you then revert to unprofitable communication?

Consider. Do you need to share everything? Do your words seek to damage another? What is the result when you are not careful with your words? Others are hurt, slandered, injured, and discouraged. Conveying someone else’s faults or shortcomings to another person, only seeks to pull down another while making yourself look better. Psalm 34:13 says keep your lips from speaking deceit; add to this flattery and false promises. Say what you mean with careful restraint, be certain your words are true and necessary. Always have the goal of encouraging another in holiness. We need to hold our tongues! There is a saying, ‘bite your tongue’. This is an idiom which means to stop yourself from saying something that might upset somebody or cause an argument.

If your relationship with God is right, your speech will be righteous.

In other words, if you are being conformed to the image of His Son through Jesus’ death and resurrection, desiring to be used by Him, seeking to carefully follow His commands, then your words will be characterized by His holiness.

Read this commentary on Psalm 34:13. “Keep thy tongue from evil. Guard with careful diligence that dangerous member, the tongue, lest it utter evil, for that evil will recoil upon thee, and mar the enjoyment of thy life. Men cannot spit forth poison without feeling some of the venom burning their own flesh. And thy lips from speaking guile. Deceit must be very earnestly avoided by the man who desires happiness. A crafty schemer lives like a spy in the enemy's camp, in constant fear of exposure and execution. Clean and honest conversation, by keeping the conscience at ease, promotes happiness, but lying and wicked talk stuffs our pillow with thorns, and makes life a constant whirl of fear and shame”, Treasury of David.

Don’t miss the illustration above. Try stuffing your pillow at night with thorns and see how restful your sleep may be!

Matthew 12:35-37 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Careless words are those that are useless, idle, and have no real purpose. They are based on trivial matters, and often unwarranted. Careless words lack a sense of restraint and responsibility.

James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

We are to be ready to listen and understand – we cannot be good listeners if we are always interrupting; we are to be slow to speak – this is the opposite of being quick to respond; it does mean taking the time to ponder what is being shared and then being careful to base your reply on Truth. We are to be slow to judge – not quick in assessing wrong-doing or fast in our reaction towards another, instead we are to be ‘dull’ or soft, not responding from emotions, but rather from gentleness. If only we would seek to see others through the eyes of Jesus!

James 3:5-6 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

This is a strong warning! Consider how quickly forest fires spread and the destruction left behind. Our speech can spread information to others which can either bless or destroy. We need to be willing to ask ourselves what our purpose is, in sharing information about another person or circumstance. Are we spreading something that will hurt someone’s character? Are we conveying thoughts about a situation that have no merit or fact? Are you careful with the source of your information? It is not always necessary or profitable to share how others may have hurt or injured you.

1Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

According to the verse above, where should our attention be given?

Speaking the utterances of God. What is the content of your speech? Are your words grounded in God’s Holy Scripture? Does your speech represent God? It may be prudent to consider the message you are trying to get across when you open your mouth. This is important for those who might be preaching or teaching, and for all those who claim to follow Jesus. Our words matter! Think! Would you speak the same if everyone were listening? Would your words change if God were standing next to you? HE IS.

Submission to Authority

What thoughts enter your mind when you hear the word submission?

What examples of submission are practiced regularly?

Let’s pick up our study in 1Peter 3 posted on January 24th. Recall in 1Peter 2, we read the command to submit to those in authority (v.13). We then moved from a general application of submission to more specific applications. Servants are commanded to submit to their masters (v.18). Our example of submission is Christ to His Father’s will (v.21-24). In 1Peter 3 we were given another specific example of submission – wives to their husbands (v.1). In all instances, submission in a believer’s life stems from obedience to the word and is a reflection of the heart.

1Peter 3:7 now addresses the specific role of husbands to their wives. Fulfilling any role or command in Scripture is a picture of submission to God as our Head. His is the ultimate authority and we glorify His name when we willingly follow His word.

1Peter 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with [your wives] in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

A husband is to live with his wife in an understanding way.
A woman is a weaker vessel.
A husband is to honor his wife as a fellow heir.
The result is unhindered prayer.

‘Likewise’ tells us to look back. The same principle of submission and obedience to the word from the heart is applied to the husband. His submission is to Christ; He is to follow the commands God put forth to a husband. You could say, ‘In the same way’, or ‘In the same manner’. 1Peter 3:7 says husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding way, or according to knowledge in the KJV.

Think! What must one do to live in an understanding way, or according to knowledge?

To live according to knowledge, implies that something is known. I am unable to understand and apply information I am unaware of. So, we must seek knowledge with a desire to understand. This knowledge then is more than information stored, it is information applied. In order for us to begin to try and fulfill the commands God has set forth for us in specific relationships, we need to be able to answer some questions. Since marriage is addressed, this is where we will focus our thoughts. What does God’s word say about the marriage relationship? What does God’s word say about the roles of husband and wife? What is God’s design for husband and wife? It would seem reasonable that the answers to these questions would be the basis to living in an understanding way with one another.

Consider the importance of authority or leadership in any role to a believer – this responsibility requires a careful regard for the encouragement and care of those you are leading. God made a woman as a helper to man – it is wise for him to encourage his wife who is specifically designed to help and support him.

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:23-24 And the man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Think for a moment of encouraging those in leadership. Many of you have worked in the education system. You may have experienced students who follow leadership and direction eagerly, and students who disregard authority. How does this affect the classroom? Is it encouraging or discouraging to those in charge?

What are you called to do when you don’t agree with those in authority or leadership?

In 1Peter 3:7, we read the words, ‘as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman’. In our world and culture today, these words totally do not fly! You could not be more politically incorrect! To be called a weaker vessel because you are a woman is considered demeaning and oppressive. I fear you would have woman’s rights advocates pounding on your door if you verbally promoted this! However, this is what God’s word says, so it is important. It is truth (whether we like it or not or agree with it or not) and must be addressed. But let’s make sure we understand the definition of a weaker vessel. We can jump to conclusions and easily take offense without truly understanding what is meant by a weaker vessel.

What comes to your mind when you think of something being weak?

Weaker, from asthenes, means strengthless – literally, figuratively, and morally. It carries the idea of being feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, and weak (-er, -ness, thing).

Obviously, the definition above seems to be a gut punch. This is quite opposite of the words from the 1996 song, “I Am Woman”, sung by Helen Reddy. You probably recognize some of the lyrics – “I am woman, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore … I am strong, I am invincible”. This song actually became relevant in the feminist fight for equality.

I looked up the word weaker in WordWeb and twelve definitions were listed. Among them:

Wanting in physical strength; “a weak pillar”
Wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings; “I’m only a weak human”
Deficient or lacking in some skill

And my favorite:

Lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality; as in “a weak old woman”

Personally, I’m not offended by this, perhaps because I am able to relate!

If you google the question ‘Are women physically weaker than men?’, you will find that an overwhelming percentage of answers say yes. In general, women are physically weaker, they are anatomically different. It is no secret that our world is broken – it is imperative that we seek to share truth at every opportunity. It has become vogue for women to decide they are men and men to decide they are woman. Society, in their own demise, has coined a practice called gender reassignment; we ignore God’s perfect plan of creation and have instituted our own. Part of the process of a woman becoming a man, at least physically, is to pump her full of testosterone. Testosterone is the “key male sex hormone that regulates fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production”, according to MedicalNewsToday. All this to say, we know there is a difference between sexes, and we know that men are generally larger and stronger. This is not a ‘put down’, it is a fact. On average, women are smaller – they are shorter and weigh less. Consider why there are separate national sports leagues for men and women, and why they compete in most Olympic games separately, having teams of men and teams of women.

Does being a weaker vessel mean woman are incapable?

Not at all! Both male and female are vessels for God’s glory. Think! Do you consider less of a child because they are physically weaker than an adult? Of course not, it is expected because they are a child. How about someone with a disability who cannot perform the same tasks as others? It is acceptable that we are weaker than others in some areas. Any strength we do have either physical, moral, or emotional, comes from God. Whatever is accomplished by us is because of God.

2Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;

2Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

God did create male and female differences – biologically we are different, our hormones are different, and we have been given different roles in the area of reproduction. Men and women, in general, are also different in the way they think, how information is processed and related.

Think again about a vessel and its purpose. From the Greek word skeuos, it is an implement, equipment, or apparatus – “specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband”. This supports the truth that each gender has been created for specific roles. Neither is more important; however they function differently with unique abilities. Consider how sports teams are organized. Each player has a specific position and purpose. If they all work together, they are successful. Some positions are seemingly unimportant, yet without their cooperation and contribution, the team would not do as well.

God is the one who set up the team of husband and wife. Look back to Ephesians 5:22-33. Therefore, He knows how we work best together for His glory.

Consider this example. I want to plant something in my garden, I need to dig a hole, and I have a hose and a trowel available to use. What would I use?

Obviously, I would use the trowel to dig a hole. Does it make the hose any less important? Of course not, in fact without the water delivered from the hose, my garden would die. Both are necessary to accomplish the goal; they are used differently but work together and are equally important to the success of my garden.

Our last few studies in 1Peter 3 have specifically addressed roles in marriage. What if you are single? How does this text apply? Being single does not mean a person is incomplete or missing out on something. In fact, remaining single has its own strengths and opportunities. Each of us are to set our eyes on Jesus to accomplish His will in our life. Some He has destined to marry; some He has destined to singleness. Both relationships, if founded in Christ, will glorify Him. Contentment whether we are married or single, for whatever reason, will cause us to trust God for His direction.

1Corinthians 7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

Whatever relationship we are in, servant, master, single, or married, we are to walk according to God’s commands seeking to please Him through our obedience.

1Corinthians 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.

In 1Peter 3:7, we read another role of husband to wife is to grant her honor. Honor, time (tee-may’), gives something value; it means a high degree of esteem. This word is also used to describe something as precious, as in having high worth or being treasured. Each of us is to regard others as God’s creation, having value because of Him.

1Peter 2:17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Husbands are reminded that their role is to protect, care for, and lead their wives. We have different roles but the same reality in Christ – fellow heirs of the grace of life – God’s riches, His forgiveness through Christ, His promise of a future with Him. Race, gender, age, abilities, and so forth, may separate our roles or importance in an earthly sense. However, in Christ, we are heirs of the same riches of eternal life.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him] in order that we may also be glorified with [Him.]

Ephesians 3:6 [to be specific], that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Titus 3:7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.

The husbands’ instruction is to live in an understanding way, and to grant honor to his wife as someone who shares in the same standing in Christ – so that his prayers may not be hindered. The intent is that through obedience of the heart, the husband is right with God. As he seeks to live in an understanding way with his wife, honoring her as a fellow heir of Christ, he will be blessed. Obedience, understanding, care, and honor, are universal to all relationships in the body of Christ. Christ died for all; each life bowed before Him is precious.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear;

John 9:31 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

In a marriage relationship, there is the blessing of co-laboring as husband and wife towards the same end. Right leadership of a husband requires the heart of a servant. Sin, in any form or thought, will hinder, or exscind, prayer.

Ephesians 4:29- 32 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

1Peter 3:7 is an exhortation specifically to husbands, yet we can apply these principals in a general sense regardless of our specific role in life.

We can live in an understanding way with those in our lives. This might require showing more grace and forgiveness, developing a heart of compassion and care, accepting the strengths and weaknesses of others, seeking at all times to be an encouragement to others in their relationship with Christ.
If we are married, we can help our husband fulfill his role by willingly following his lead. We can show gratitude through our words and actions for his efforts to care for us. We can accept with joy that God has appointed our husband as head of our family. Ladies, if you are married the single most important thing you can do for your husband is to faithfully pray for his relationship to grow in the Lord. Then trust that God is working in both of your lives. If you are single, you can encourage your friends who are married to submit to their husband.

We all have authority to submit to in relationships, and each individual answers to the ultimate authority of Christ. You can purposefully choose an attitude of submission towards those in leadership over you. You can promote peace by concentrating on being a woman who honors God in all things.

Jesus our Foundation

Without Christ, there is no church. “The church’s grace, the church’s peace, the church’s consolation, the church’s salvation, are all upheld and maintained by Him”.

Christmas was celebrated in the United States a few days ago. It is timely that our next study in 1 Peter which began in May of this year, is centered on Jesus being the foundation of living faith. Without His birth, death, and resurrection, our faith would be pointless. Trust placed in any person or thing other than Christ is empty and has no eternal value.

1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God

The Olive Tree Bible App, in its introduction of 1 Peter states, “The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith. Peter exhorted them to stand strong, repeatedly reminding them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in Him, and the hope of His returning again to take them to heaven. Peter explained how Christians should respond when they suffer because of their beliefs”.

Transport yourself to the time and culture this was written. The metaphor of ‘Christ as a living stone’ made sense to these Christians because they had previously placed their hope in elaborate stone temples of worship. Unlike a non-living object, Christ is the foundation of the church. Church is not a building; it is a person – Jesus Christ. He is not only life itself but gives life to all those who believe in Him. Adam Clarke’s Commentary says Christ “is the source of life to all His followers, and that it is in union with Him that they live, … the stones of a building are of no use but as they occupy their proper places in a building, and rest on the foundation”.

The temple was the center of worship in the Jewish religion. It was where God was approached and sacrifices for the atonement of sin were made. In contrast to these magnificent stone temples, Peter reminds the converted Jews and others, that Jesus is the foundation of living faith, their source of spiritual life. The stones of a building have no use other than to support a structure, and once placed, the job is done. Christ offers a secure foundation, and life everlasting. The truth of who He is, what He has done, and salvation in His name alone, continues to reach throughout the world as His church is built to completion. Without Christ, there is no church.

All across the world, there are magnificent buildings erected to represent religion. St. Peters Basilica or the Vatican City is said to be the largest church covering over 110 acres. In the United States, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City is 121,000 square feet with a roof height of 177 feet, (source - Wikipedia). However elaborate and beautiful these structures may be, they offer no special connection to a true lasting faith.

Jesus is the foundation of true saving faith. Read William Burkitt’s New Testament notes, “the corner-stone supports the whole building, the church’s grace, the church’s peace, the church’s consolation, the church’s salvation, are all upheld and maintained by Him”.

Coming to Him by faith, those addressed were to throw off the way they used to act and instead seek to be transformed by God’s word. Christ was to be their strength and protection. “Christians are called “living stones”, not like the inanimate things of the material temple, but living men built up on Christ, the living and chief corner stone”, The People’s Bible Encyclopedia 1924.

Your focus at work, at home, at school, in relationships, the things you pursue, the importance you place upon worldly ideals, and your response to worldly thinking should be in great contrast to those who do not follow Christ. Although we may not suffer because of our faith as the audience Peter wrote to, there are choices we make that will set us apart, and in that context, friendships, family, and relationships are often affected. The exhortation remains the same – we are to worship Christ, to draw near to Him.

Stones make up a building which rests on a singular foundation for support. People make up a spiritual family which rests on Christ as their foundation and purpose. Christ gives spiritual life to all who believe in Him. “Like no earthly rock, He lives and gives life”, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary.

The beginning of 1 Peter 2:4 uses the phrase “and coming to Him”. The NIV translation reads, “As you come to Him”. These words denote a direction forward, towards Christ. The Christians being addressed can move towards God because He has called them to be alive in Him.

Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [clean] from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water”.

This relationship opens the door to approach and come near to Him in worship. Imagine how important this truth was to Peter’s audience for encouragement as they found themselves rejected by others because of their faith. Peter reminds them that Christ was rejected by men, but chosen and precious in the sight of God. Men did not choose Christ, in fact, they scoffed at Him and eventually crucified Him.

John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

Luke 9:22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day."

Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner [stone.]

Read Peter’s testimony of Christ in Acts 4:11-12, "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, [but] WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNER [stone.] "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."

Isaiah 28:16 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.

Meditate on these truths for a moment. We have an incredible position in Christ because of God’s love. In Christ, He has chosen you to be His child, forever to be alive in Him. These truths excite the heart to know all is well – regardless of outside circumstances and of how we might be perceived by others. Thousands of years ago, these same truths were used by the Apostle as a reminder to those who were struggling. And today, these truths continue to be an encouragement to stay the course. God’s purpose and plan will not be thwarted!

“Men may rail at us, as they did at Him, but God has chosen us, and we are precious in His sight, even as Jesus is; hence we desire to live as consecrated persons, in whom God dwells, whose whole business is to present sacrifices unto the Lord”, Spurgeon Devotional Commentary. In faith, we can approach God. “And coming to Him” is present tense. This is not our one-time conversion but a daily coming to God as we exercise our faith and trust in Him.

Do you continually seek God? How?
What is your security? What is your strength?

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

A Voracious Appetite

The Bible is not a course we take and complete, it is a life-giving, life-sustaining gift from the very mouth of God. It is to be treasured, pondered over, and used frequently.

Ps 119:131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments.

This is a very descriptive set of words. It paints a picture for us of the great desire the Psalmist has for Truth. You might even want to start at the beginning of Psalm 119 and mark each time God’s word is mentioned. There are several references used for the word: law, way, testimonies, commandments, precepts, word, judgments, statutes, and saying.

Below are the Hebrew definitions from Strong’s Concordance for a few of the words we’ll take a closer look at.

opened <pa’ar> to yawn, open wide

mouth <peh> can also mean mind, speech

panted <sha’aph> to inhale eagerly; desire earnestly, devour

Let’s remember the writer of this Psalm. David endures imprisonment, accusation and persecution because of his love for God. Throughout this entire Psalm, the love he has for God’s word dominates. David recognizes his need for Truth at all times in his life, whether he is in adversity or prosperity. In all circumstances, the Psalmist calls upon the word of God for his sustaining comfort and encouragement.

“I opened my mouth wide and panted” is something we can readily picture. Think of inhaling eagerly, desiring earnestly, and devouring – these words are indicative of serious need and want. Picture this: a newborn baby who has slept for six hours (probably 3-4 is a more realistic time ) then wakes with an insatiable hunger for its mother’s milk. It is impossible to appease the infant with anything but what is desired. There is nothing else that will fill its need!

Picture a puppy inhaling its food. It seems as though it just can’t get enough and the only thing on its mind is to eat. One of our dogs, Lily, is a French Bull Dog. The picture at the beginning of this blog is from Halloween a few years back, complete with a skull and crossbones tattoo – I couldn’t help myself! As sweet as she is, she is not at all loyal to any one person, rather, the hand that fills her dish becomes her temporary best bud. Food is her obsession. It is evident in the noisy way she eats, (I’ve often thought we should have named her piglet), and with the gusto she uses to inhale her food. When she was a puppy, we would have to put a rock in the center of her bowl in order to slow down her gulping the contents. Her appetite has never waned, it is still voracious! This behavior would not be welcomed in anyone of us, but when related to our appetite of God’s word, it is a good thing to desire.

David explains his words to us. Why did he open his mouth and pant? Because he “longed for” God’s commandments. His desire for God’s truth is strong. Think of the word yearning. I love this word used in connection with God’s word because it describes a prolonged desire or need, a need that is never completely filled. Let me explain: We can never get enough of the Truth. There is always more. More insight, more encouragement, more instruction, more conviction, more knowledge of God’s love for us and how unfathomable it is! Heaven forbid we ever get to the place where we think we are finished studying God’s truths or have it all together or don’t need more input. The Bible is not a course we take and complete, it is a life-giving, life-sustaining gift from the very mouth of God. It is to be treasured, pondered over, and used frequently. It is quite different than any other book we might have.

Textbooks are used for a time, learned, memorized, spit out on a test and forgotten. They also frequently become outdated as new versions are published. Cookbooks may be used frequently but most of us use them for quick reference then put them away. We don’t ponder what they mean or how a recipe can change our life! Storybooks or novels are read for amusement, for recreation. The Bible is always relevant, not meant to be forgotten and shelved, and hopefully referenced so often that it is always handy. It is meant for us to ponder and it absolutely changes lives as God opens desiring hearts to know Him.

Clickhttp://thensingsmysoultothee.com/in-god-alone/ for more study…

Tag: encouragement

Entrusted to God; Living for Him

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Honoring God With Our Speech

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Submission to Authority

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Jesus our Foundation

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A Voracious Appetite

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