Peter's pen 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5: 12-14

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.   ESV

In closing, two points:

1.  This is the true grace of God.
2.  Stand firm in it.

As I have throughout this series, I highly recommend the works of John Flavel, John Owen, William Gurnal, Thomas Watson and other great Puritan preachers.

I'll also take a chance on a book just published that I haven't read (I am waiting for the digital edition).  It is titled A Puritan Theology; Doctrine for Life.  Right now it is available at a really big discount (print version) at:

http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/8650?utm_source=A_Puritan_Theology&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cover_image&utm_campaign=A_Puritan_Theology

NOTE:  I finished reading  A Puritan Theology and I highly recommend it.  I also recommend The Marrow of Theology William Ames as a primer in Refomed eoloy, docine and pracice.

God bless and keep you all -- Next series???  Don't know yet.   Any suggestions?

Peter's pen 1st Peter 5:10-11

1 Peter 5: 10-11
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  ESV

Suffering?  Yep!  We are knocked off course, doubtful, weak and wobbly.  We will be as He restores, confirms, strengthens and establishes us.  Welcome to following Jesus!

Being His and not yet being with Him is suffering.  Get it?  All the threats, dangers, turmoil, trials, tribulations and persecutions are here, not there.  The greater our longing to be there - the more we sense that separation and suffer here.

Now, that's a left-handed blessing.  It is our suffering here, not yet with Him, that confirms we are His.  Who else would care?  For whom else would it even be an issue?  Yes, non-believers "suffer" here, but having no hope of heaven they suffer normally.  We, on the other hand, should sense an keener edge on our suffering.  We yearn for that time, that promised and assured time when:

Rev. 21:3-5
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  5 And he who was seated on the throne said,

 “Behold, I am making all things new.”  ESV

Peter's Pen 1 Peter 5:5

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”   ESV

There's the kicker, "be subject to the elders."

How?

"Clothe yourselves, ALL OF YOU (elders and young ones) with humility toward one another."

"Humility" = In this case I prefer the definition: a deep sense of one's moral littleness.

Remember, we are saved graciously so that no man may boast.  We are kept graciously as well and hence no man may boast any moral superiority over another.  In Christ we are all in the same state.  Our gifts and callings may and do vary, our responsibilities and authority will and does vary.  Our knowledge, understanding and maturity varies.  In Christ we are all utterly powerless and utterly dependent upon Him - all the time.

We are all utterly morally dependent.  There is no good in any of us save that which He provides.  Humility should not be hard - but it is.  Which is probably why Peter finished that admonition with the warning that God opposes the proud.

The proud man or woman does not acknowledge all their inability and neediness.  The proud man or women does not yield to or depend upon God.

Note that God "opposes" the proud.  The sense here is that God engages the proud in battle.  it is not some passive disapproval but rather the active providence of God to humble the proud under His hand.  It is needful that we consistently examine our heart for traces of pride.  I have been His for over 40 years and yet I can not say I have won that battle.  Paul's pride was of such great potential that God gave him a constant reminder it the "thorn."  If God will do such for Paul will He do less for us if needed?

I like the phrase, "gives grace."  It's kind of redundant because grace implies a gift.  Perhaps God gives and gives to the humble because they know their need and battle pretentious pride.  We can not - we will not receive (accept) what we don't believe we need.  So it may be that pride keeps us from opening our hands in admission of our neediness and hence we do not take what it offered - that is just silly - unfortunately it is also too common.

Note however - we do not submit to "man" in submitting to the elder/shepherds.  Our submission is to God who has called these men to serve us in a ministry of care and oversight.  We are trusting God to work through His elders/shepherds.  They may and will at times fail us - but He will never do so.  And, if they are indeed his humble servants they will accept His rebuke and take the appropriate action to correct their error and restore the relationship.

But we must all accept our moral littleness - we must all allow Him to make us and keep us humble - before Him and toward one another.

Peter's Pen 1 Peter 5:1-4b

1st Peter 5:1-4  B

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.   ESV

1 Tim. 3:1

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  ESV

"Aspires" = to stretch ones self out to grast or aquire something.

This word forces me to consider that being and elder/shepherd requires first that the individual understands that the position/role is way beyond his ability to fulfill.  He has to stretch himself towards it.  Of course - he has to be submitted and dependent upon the Lord for it and in it as well.

In 1 Timothy Paul lays out the "qualifications" of the elder/shepherd.  Thay are not arduous but they are utterly dependent upon the candidate's relationship to and with the Lord.  The criteria must not be watered down - not can it be taken on face value.

Of all the criteria, verse 7 is the most fascinating and perhaps misapplied.

1 Tim. 3:7

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.  ESV

Note - "outsiders" need to think well of him.  Now - this has to be seen in direct association with the prospective elder's confession of faith.  He is well thought of as a believer by outsiders.  Not just popular or powerful nor merely moral - but rather it is the standing of his confession (or profession if you prefer) that is in sight here.  Is he known as a believer - a faithful believer - a consistent believer?

Imagine - a man desires to be an elder/shepherd and lets the session know.  The session interviews him and members of the fellowship and then asks him for the names of three unbelievers whom they might interview concerning his fitness for the role.  OUCH!!!!   But - that is a requirement and how does one confirm that he meets it?

One other consideration.

Peter says that and elder/shepherd should not serve, "for shameful gain."  Now the key here isn't "gain" it's "shameful gain."  There is no reason that the expenses of an elder/shepherd should not be borne by those he serves.  If he serves to the degree that he is unable to pursue employment then he should be well supported and provided for by those he serves.

The prohibition goes to motive.  No man is qualified to serve as an elder/shepherd if his motives are shameful gain.  That would be a a motivation to fleece the flock not serve it.  

Ezek. 34:2-6

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. 6 My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.   ESV

Any questions?

Peter's Pen 1 Peter 5:1-4a

1st Peter 5:1-4  A

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.   ESV

There's a lot in this passage to think on.  But I want to focus on elders and shepherding.  

"Elders" (presbuteros) are those who preside over the assmbly(ies) of believers.  They are "overseers."  They are also referred to as bishops is some translations.  Regardless of the title used, these are older men, mature in the faith and able to teach - disciple - believers.  They act as the guiding authority for individual assemblies of believers.  

Historically, it has not been a rare thing for elders of one individual assembly to confer or associate with elders of another assembly for the sake of fellowship, unity and consistency.  Though we like to see "denominations" as abominations, they are (or at least should be), in actuality, an association of like-minded and like-believing elders who confer together and draw from the collective experience, wisdom and knowledge to guide multiple assemblies.

For instance, when Paul addresses his missive to the "Church at Ephesus," it is not beyond considering that he was addressing multiple assemblies in that place.  The "church building" and the mega-church being conventions yet to come, it would not be surprising to find several "assemblies" of believers in one locale.  That being a possibility, it would follow that the "elders" in that place over those individual assemblies would work together for the good of all.

BUT - it is the role of the elder as shepherd that most touched my heart.  I was mentored by older pastors back in the day when doctors made house calls and elders did too.  These "shepherds" took seriously their obligation to care for the flock - from the greatest to the least.  They considered it their obligation to stay informed and involved with those under their care.  These men were in no way "professionals."  Even those ordained as "pastors" or "teaching elders" who had received training and education at seminary for that specific ministry did not consider themselves professionals but, rather, merely servants.

Interestingly, shepherds have not really had a good reputation in history.  They have been characterized as sneaky, lazy, shiftless, etc.  So, of course, we have to be amazed that David was a shepherd and that the angels came to the shepherds with the good news of the incarnation.

Let me take a different perspective, one we have unfortunately (and probably intentionally) lost.  The sheep are under the authority and care of the shepherds.  There is an intrinsic obligation laid upon the sheep to submit to the shepherds.  Now for sheep-sheep, there is little question of who is in charge; but for people-sheep or sheeple, it seems we have rejected that aspect of the relationship - much to our harm.

We have made the position of the shepherd (elder) one of status and prestige.  We have little problem letting them "care" for us as long as that care is within our comfort zone.  

What we do have a problem with is the authority of the shepherd - their obligation and right to "rule" over us.

Paul writes to Timothy:

2 Tim. 4:2

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.   ESV

Now, we have little problem with the preaching part - as long as it doesn't get too personal.  We even tolerate the exhortation part as long as it doesn't exhort too much.  

But we have a real problem with the reprove and rebuke part of their role.  This is an all too common disconnect in our assemblies.  We don't mind preaching and exhorting but the other smacks too much of meddling.

Now consider:

Eph. 4:11-14

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.   ESV

How are they to do this if we refuse to accept their reproof or rebukes?  Well, they can’t.

The sad part is that we are not rebelling against men but against God.  "He" gave these roles and responsibilities.  These elders are His means for accomplishing His will for His saints.

Ok - let's get it out there.  There are some really poor and even evil "shepherds" out there.  But it is our obligation to discern the quality and character of those we would follow, those whose authority we would submit to.  So we can't claim to be victims.

Placing one's self and one's family under the care and authority of any man or group of men is never something to be done lightly.  We are not to be spectators or mere consumers.  

When we are considering joining an assembly or fellowship, it is our responsibility to check out the leadership and just as diligently the statement of faith or mission statement.  It is our obligation to ask tough biblical, even theological questions of the leadership before we prayerfully seek to make a decision.

I've been a part of a fellowship whose shepherd(s) were mere position and status holders.  They were shepherds based upon their congeniality and popularity.  There was little hope of sound care or guidance from them.  The fellowship we are now a part of was thoroughly "vetted" by both my wife and myself before we decided to place ourselves under the care and authority of the "session" (elders).  

One "test" was whether the "teaching elder" (most would call him the Pastor or Preacher) was willing to correct, rebuke and/or reprove AND, if the context and content in which he did so was biblical.  Of course, it was kind of a ringer because I had, years ago, mentored and discipled one of the elders of this fellowship, so we went in with a greater level of confidence of being satisfied.

Are you safe in the care and oversight of your shepherds?  Do they actually shepherd the flock according to the biblical model?  Do you submit to their authority with comfort and confidence or do you just ignore that part of the relationship?

When shepherds are not faithful, the wolves eat well and the shepherd ultimately feeds upon the flock.

More on this next time...........................

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:17-19

1st Peter 4:17-19

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

 “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.   ESV

Some key points:

Judgment begins with the household of God.

That being the case, consider the plight of the ungodly and the sinners.

If you suffer here and now - according to God's will - trust God and keep serving Him.

A powerful contrast for us to consider.  Judgment of us and judgment of "not us."  

Judgment is a scary thing - period.  Well it should be.  Having known the conviction of the Spirit concerning out condition outside of Christ we can extrapolate what it will be like at the throne.  

Note Peter writes:  "If the righteous is scarcely saved . . . ."  That ought to get our attention.   "Scarcely" means "with much work," "with difficulty."  Let me give you a picture of this:

Eph. 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.    ESV

We can never rightfully conceive of the cost God paid for our redemption.  Certainly He chose a manner of death for His Son that demonstrates the pain and horror of that price but we will never comprehend the true meaning or the agonizing experience of those moments when Christ called out:

Mark 15:34

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  ESV

One has to wonder how hard it was for God to put His Son through that.  I know, I can't know the mind of God - and I don't want to humanize Him - but though the suffering of crucifixion is mind boggling - being abandoned - even for a nano-second - by God with whom He had experienced intimacy and glory is utterly beyond my ability to comprehend - or even attempt to comprehend.

We can not afford to ever view our redemption as a minor thing.  If we ever do we must know that our hearts have grown hard and calloused.  Somehow we must keep in the front of our minds the fact of the cost of our redemption.  Think brother and sister, He suffered the punishment for our sin - indeed He became sin for our sake and took upon Himself the whole wrath of God that was rightfully ours to bear.

While Peter's "therefore" is to admonish us to trust our souls to God when we are suffering it is also to turn our minds from our suffering to the great grace and mercy of God poured out for us through Christ.  It is a, "remember," admonishment.  If indeed God has saved us from His wrath why would we doubt Him when we suffer?  Why would we "go on strike," or cease our exercise of our duties just because it's hard?  

The truly "hard part" involves another - we are just the blessed recipients.  We could do nothing and were not asked to do anything in order to be redeemed.  Not only that but we are not required (as if it were possible) to do anything to stay redeemed.  We are simply admonished to trust God and continue to do good (His good).  Certainly - not the hard part!!!!!!!  

2 Cor. 4:17-18  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

Peter's Pen 1s Peter 4:12-13 Oops out of order

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:12-13

I Peter 4: 12-13:  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.   ESV

I'd like to paraphrase this verse - just to give some flavor -- "Beloved, when  the flames of persecution lap about your knees (and they will), don't say nobody told you, don't even wonder why, expect it all the time!!!!"

Get the drift?  Don't act dumb or do a "poor little me" when the world, the flesh and/or the devil turns on the burners!!!  From Jesus' own mouth we have been well warned that persecution isn't a "maybe," it is a, "oh- yeah!"

It is not about you and me, it's is about Him and the fallen one's hatred for Him and all that is His.  No whining!  No shock!  Rather, an, "I was expecting that," would be most appropriate.

But let me wander from the "Big One," to the issue of being prepared for the, "Big One."

We are never NOT under attack - never - not ever - no way - no how!

TV shows, politics, commercials, movies, magazines - all of these are attacks upon our hearts which incite our affections and lead to a fight for our consciences and holiness.  Whatever the "world" or Satan throws at us - no matter how minor, no matter how subtle, no matter how apparently innocuous is an attack, anything that conjures the idea that Christ is not utterly sufficient and/or that God is not utterly providential, is an attack.

Subaru is my favorite example.  Do you know that if you buy a Subaru, you will have "love" in your life?  That's what their ads say.  Watch for the little "love" graphic on their ads.

What about Victoria's Secret?  Why do I (or you ladies for that matter) need to see half naked women in their underwear?  Will this underwear make you a better person?  They want you to think so. [Maybe not so much being better - - but definitely more desirable]

What about sporting events hype?  Does it really matter who gets the funny ball to the end of the cow pasture?  Is this an important event or is it just a way for sellers to present you with the proposition that if you buy their stuff you will be a good person?  Why are cheerleaders half-naked?  Does that make the team better?


We have to accept that what the world (and the devil through it) offers us is nothing but temptation to be dissatisfied with our state.  Whether it's a car, underwear, the latest digital gizmoe - they all want us to feel we NEED their product to be - well - at least normal.

The problem is we blow off these little trials, ignoring their cumulative effect on our hearts and minds.  I believe that the more sensitive we are and appropriately responsive we are to these things, the less we will be shock by the "Big One."  I mean really, how "real" are the oh so popular "reality shows?"  Is that what He says is "real" life?  It may be for the unredeemed but for us it is a lie right out of the very pit of hell.

If we have been paying attention, it is clear that little by little the culture, indeed even our political and judicial systems, are slowly eroding our freedom to live as His.  Whether they do it via proclaiming some sin is a right or a norm, or through chipping away at our freedom to express - even raise our kids according to - our faith; they want to destroy us.

If the "powers that be" forgot their differences in Christ's day and conspired to kill Him, what makes you think they're not doing the same thing about us today?  Are you that naive?  Our battle is not a cultural battle nor is it a political battle - it's not even a religious battle.  It is a battle for His glory and honor as displayed by our active and faithful service in this world.

If you think I've gone off the deep end into the weirdness of "conspiracies and cabals," you haven't read much of your Bible lately.  Who are our enemies?  Who is "out to get us"?  That would be - the world - the flesh and the devil.  Hello-----anybody there?

So many believers are going to be shocked out of their socks when the "Big One" begins.  They're going to proclaim how nice they were and how they can't believe what's happening and how they've not bothered or hurt anybody.  They are going to feel "betrayed" by the "world" who has always been cooperating with the devil and working on the flesh for their destruction.

I am growing more and more convinced that because of the -- ok this is a tough one - the whoring of the church - the pimping out of the Gospel - we have lost our focus, which is for each individual believer - with the help, encouragement and support of every other believer - to grow more conformed to His likeness every moment.  How does that work when you can't wait to get out of church to see "the game"?  How does that work when we are as engaged by the world's "entertainment" offerings as the non-believer is?  How does that work when we make the accumulation of material things just as much a priority for ourselves as the world does for itself?

Dearest ones, how have we gotten so immured, so numb to the little, pernicious and persistent evils?  How have we come to tolerate - in our homes and even in our churches - the pandering of (and to) the world's standards, goals and priorities?  How have we come to be insensitive to evil - for that's what it is – evil?  We have refused to say "No," to the world - unless it's what we see as a ''big sin."  We have learned to wink and nod at evil because if we didn't, we would be weird - strange creatures - subject to vilification and finger pointing and marginalization ---- Oh, wait, isn't that happening anyway?

But, we will ever, I fear, be willing to feed the beast that seeks to consume us.  We will feed it until there is nothing left for it to eat but - well - us.  When we run out of treats for the beast, we will express shock and dismay when its teeth sink into our throats.

OK - one example.  The big thing right now is buying precious metals - hedging our wealth against the potential financial crisis.  What makes us think that when it finally hits the fan, we'll be allowed to keep any of it?  All that has to be done is for us to be found to be even a quasi-criminal enterprise and they can come and take it.

What part of the following are you refusing to accept?
John 15:19:
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.   ESV

What part of that is a lie?

What about:
James 4:4:
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  ESV

Hello!!!!!!!!  Anyone home?

In the second verse of our passage, Peter admonishes us to rejoice when we suffer for Christ or suffer as Christ's.  Yeah, like that's gonna happen.  I fear that we're trying so hard to be "friends" with the world that we will resent any suffering imposed upon us.  Why?  Because we refuse - absolutely refuse - to "take up our crosses," and follow Him in the little everyday compromises offered us by a world that wants to destroy us.

Just let me ask,
What's on your TeVo or your DVR?  What "shows" are your shows?   What is it in your world that you just can't do without, just can't miss, gotta see, hear, have ............?

If we can't take up our crosses, we will not rejoice when trials and persecution are imposed upon us.  Not only that but, if we can't or won't recognize and accept that a lot of what we hold should rightfully be laid down, I don't know how much we'll rejoice when He returns.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 1:13-16 (D)

1Pe 1:13-16  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (14)  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,  (15)  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  (16)  since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NASB

Whenever we are convicted of our sin, we need, of course, to repent.  Repentance has been described as doing a 180 degree turn.  That’s not a bad description.  But there’s more to it within that description.  But, we’ll look at repentance later.

If this passage has made you concerned about your walk with Him, it’s supposed to.  It was written to believers just like you and me.  They were no less gobsmacked by this than we are.

I know that when I read passages like this, passages that call me to a holy life – holy living, I’m confronted with all the ways I fail to do so.  How about you?

That’s why planting Eph. 2:8 firmly in your mind and heart is so very important.  It is all about what He has done, is doing and will do for us.

I struggle with what feels like and is a battle between what He says I am and what I do (or don’t do) – my sin.

Dear brother and sister – feel the conviction but keep in mind it is for our good not our harm.  God is gracious and merciful and loving enough to keep us sensitive to our sin.  When we are convicted, we need to rejoice that we are able to be convicted.  Yes, we need to understand that having a conscience that is oh so sensitive is a sure sign that we are indeed His.  It is only in Him that is matters.

In Hebrews we read:

Heb 12:5-6  and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;  (6)  FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

Heb 12:11-13  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.  (12)  Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,  (13)  and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

The passage ends with, “but rather be healed.”  This is the goal of our Lord’s discipline, our healing. 

Sin is toxic.  Sin builds barriers between us and our Lord.  Sin hurts!  We need to be healed not only from the sickness of the soul that sin brings but sin itself.  And so God, in His mercy and grace provides, for us a medicine – a disciplining - that we might be healed. 

One thing I would have you note is Vs. 12 of the Hebrews passage.  As I read that I am reminded not only of my desire for my weakness and feebleness to be healed, but that I also have a responsibility in your lives, as I can, to be a part of that strengthening.  WE are to minister to one another as we walk in the Way. 

But, alas, we are so prone to hide our need for strengthening.  We are so prone to hide our weakness.  This is so very heartbreaking.  Yes, we go before the Lord with our needs and seek His kind care.  But we, His people, are called to minister His grace and mercy to one another.  As a young person once said to me, “I need Jesus with skin on.”  That is the ministry we have to one another.  To be His hands, feet, ears, eyes, arms and hands to our brothers and sisters.  But for that to happen we need two things.

First, we need the heart to walk into the messiness of sin in the lives of our brothers (as well as the heart to have them walk in ours).  We need to pray that we will be willing to do what we can – even if it is just being there -  regardless of the circumstances to strengthen our brothers and sisters (and of course to be strengthened by them).

Second, we need to pray that we will cease to hide our weakness, our needs, whatever they are.  We need to trust Him that we might cry out to our brothers and sisters expecting only that He is in control and He will be with them and us. 

I think that if we plant the banner of Eph. 2:8 firmly before us, we will be able to do both. 

Paul writes:

Rom 12:15-16  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  (16)  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly (those who are cast down, depressed, distressed). Do not be wise in your own estimation.

If what Paul says is true:

Rom 8:38-39  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  (39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Then let us pray that we will not allow sin to separate us from the ministry and care of His people.  By His grace, wisdom and power we are able to do His work not only in “the world” but in the church as well.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 1:13-16 (C)

1Pe 1:13-16  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (14)  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,  (15)  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  (16)  since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 

V14

Note please the “as.”  It’s not easy to obey – especially as we grow up considering ourselves to be savvy and smart, thinking we can figure it out. 

But we are not asked to obey as grown-ups but as children.  This word translated “children” carries the idea of dependent, student, disciple.  Thayer, in his definition, writes this:

. . . the name transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship

formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust,

just as between parents and children, . . .

This is not the same word that Jesus uses in the gospels when He says to allow the “little children” to come to Him.  Is the difference really important?  In a way, yes.

When we “come” to Him, we come as little children – as infants.  We come utterly dependent upon Him (which we always are).  As we grow in Him, we learn to make use of all the graces and mercies He has given us.  We learn to read the Word, to pray, even to do works of ministry.  Though we look to Him as infants, He grows and matures us so that we are of wider use.

So, Peter is recognizing that we are growing-up in Him and Peter enjoins us to obey Him in the maturing relationship we have.  And, Peter has a particular aim for this obedience –

do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, v. 14

Now here is a Peter/Paul moment -  Paul writes in Romans:

Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let’s take a look at this “conformed” thing.  Both men use the same word:

συσχηματίζω    suschēmatizō

Zodhiates writes in reference to the Romans passage:

An expanded rendering might read, ‘Stop being molded by the external and fleeting fashions of this age, but undergo a deep inner change by the qualitative renewing of your mind.’ Such a transformation can be wrought only by the Holy Spirit.

Of the 1^st Peter passage, John Gill writes:

. . . to be fashioned (conformed) to the lusts of it is to indulge them, to make provision for them, to obey them, to live and walk in them; which should not be done by the children of God, . . .

So we have a “don’t” here in 1^st Peter and a clearer “but” that fits with it in Romans.  The “but” here in 1^st Peter, at least for me, is overwhelming.

Now I’ve heard and read a lot of things that dance around this and try to weaken it, but it says what it says!  “Be holy as He is holy.”

OK – REMEMBER >

Gal 3:11  Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."

Rom 4:5  And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Eph 4:24  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Peter has been laying the foundation for your assurance in Christ – I think the Spirit did this because this verse is a whopper.  For me it highlights my sinfulness and unless I see my sinfulness through the blood of the Savior, I will have no hope.

Faith – no matter how weak is sufficient to be His. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Peter calls us to “holy conduct.”  That means in your mode of living. 

I’ll do one more on this passage - 

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 1:13-16 (B)

1Pe 1:13-16  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (14)  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,  (15)  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  (16)  since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Now, “and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Sober-minded can well apply to physical drunkenness but here, not so much.  Here it has the meaning of being watchful or circumspect. 

John Gill writes about this:

being inebriated with the cares of this life, which choke the word, and make it unfruitful, and lead men into temptation, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, and from the faith of Christ; and likewise to a being intoxicated with errors, and false doctrine, which lull men asleep, and render them incapable of serving Christ, and his church;

Ok – been there, done that and may be again.  The cares we have for those around us, the circumstance we are in, our needs and our fears as well as our hopes and dreams can easily “inebriate” us.  Peter is Not telling us to just blow them off, rather he’s telling us to keep them in their proper perspective – under God’s sovereignty.  It isn’t easy – we all know that – but we can work on it. 

How can we work on “sober mindedness”?  Peter answers that.

“set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Notice, it’s about where we put our hope.  Our hope is in His grace and in His return.  The words here are directing our gaze to Him and His return.  That’s the biggy.  He will come.

Peter wants us to hang on to the very Words of Jesus, Himself:

Joh 14:1-3  "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

This is a great verse to commit to memory.  It is the all encompassing promise, the fulfillment of all God labors for us.  It can and will help us, “set our hope,” and be “sober-minded.”

Oops – did I say commit to memory?  Yes, I did – but not all of us are really good at that, so jot it down on a card and stick it in your wallet – God bless you and keep you all!