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Tag: Christ

  • Because the days are evil – 1

    Because the days are evil – 1

    See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

    Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV

    Intro to October series on evil

    Choose any month of the calendar year and assign it to good or evil. The newness of our January resolutions seem to evoke a new good in our lives. December brings the good will of Christmas and the lights of Chanukah. In November some Americans acknowledge our thankfulness to God.

    Choose any day and you will find both good and evil. Yet if you were to choose one day most celebrated – yes, celebrated for evil – it would be Halloween. October, for this reason, may be the one month most tempting toward evil in each measured year of our mortal flesh.

    Therefore, this month I will set aside my usual serial approach to studying a single book of the Bible such as James or 1 Peter in favor of taking on the serpent in the room and his evil agenda against any who would call God and Christ Jesus Lord.

    One additional introductory thought: this series on evil will also be rooted in Scripture, rather than the cultural lore associated with the enemy of the Lord God, that fallen angel destined for destruction Satan. God-willing, I will strive to keep each topical post brief, lest the devil sway you from God’s written word.

    Ephesians 5:

    Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

    Ephesians 5:1 NKJV

    Speaking to true Christians (not just those who occasionally show up in a building with a cross somewhere), Paul writes:

    8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

    11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

    Evil is always associated with darkness, though some spirits of the dark pose as angels of light. Even Satan is a fallen angel, but more of that in a later post.

    “Awake, you who sleep,
    Arise from the dead,
    And Christ will give you light.”

    Ephesians 5:14 NKJV

    60 ק֥וּמִי א֖וֹרִי כִּ֣י בָ֣א אוֹרֵ֑ךְ וּכְב֥וֹד יְהוָ֖ה עָלַ֥יִךְ זָרָֽח׃
    2 כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֤ה הַחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙ יְכַסֶּה־אֶ֔רֶץ וַעֲרָפֶ֖ל לְאֻמִּ֑ים וְעָלַ֙יִךְ֙ יִזְרַ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה וּכְבוֹד֖וֹ עָלַ֥יִךְ יֵרָאֶֽה׃

    ישעה 60 The Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

    Walk in Wisdom

    15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

    17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

    Walk the straight and narrow path without such foolish ways toward where we all tend to wander. We crave the crowds on the left or slip into the mire of the sin on the right.

    Redeeming our time implies that we must buy back the lost time for our sin.

    But what if you cannot afford the cost of your sin? How long would it take for you to earn your way back into the eternal good of heaven?

    Beloved, our mortal days are both evil and brief.

    Do not forsake Christ as those who would sway you toward foolish rebellion against His unfailing love do so willingly.

    Jesus IS our Redeemer, because of His sacrifice for our sin.

    20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

    Receive the Holy Spirit, Paul urges believers as he cautions against common sinfulness. Your heart is the Lord’s, therefore praise Him above all. Submit to each other, as broken parts of the body of Christ who fear God.

    Do you fear God?

    “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 14:7b CSB

    Those who do evil forget their fear of the Lord. The foolish revel in their sins and mock the faith of the righteousness.

    We will be judged as good or evil

    Yet the Lord will judge good and evil, punishing the tormented souls of evil-doers while showing mercy to the faithful who would do good for God’s sake, because of Christ Jesus.

    Christ IS our Savior and Redeemer, Judge of our souls so prone toward sin.

    Do you fear God and desire grace at the mercy seat of judgment?

    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

    Ephesians 5:8

    Jesus is either your Lord or

    you must answer for your own sins without redemption.

    old man in beret kneeling at grave

    Let not your epitaph be:

    And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD…

    To be continued...
  • Judgment begins with God’s household – a letter from Peter 8

    Judgment begins with God’s household – a letter from Peter 8

    Our Attitude in these Last Days

    For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

    1 Peter 4:17 KJV

    I begin with Peter’s pointed call to account of the church and Christians from the King James Version of the Bible, judgment of our own actions first.

    Previously, Peter referred to the end of the living and the dead. He urges us:

    So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude… 1 Peter 4:1a NET Bible

    Now Peter will point every believer toward service and suffering in these last days when our attitudes must match that of Christ Jesus, as well as judgment of all for our words and actions after this brief mortal life.

    Living Stones

    Do you recall that Peter has called us; “faithful followers of Christ,” that is; living stones of the Temple of God with Christ as the cornerstone?

    If you follow Peter’s imagery of our saved souls building upon the foundation of Christ’s love, then every Christian believer in the living Church of His Body and Blood must adopt an attitude like Jesus.

    Peter has already urged us (the church):

    As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    1 Peter 2:4-5 CSB

    Therefore, Peter now tells us how we must live as holy priests representing the Lord God before an unsaved and evil world.

    End Time Ethics

    1 Peter 4:7-19

    The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.

    Be alert (pay attention). Be sober, reads the KJV; defined in this context: to be of sound mind and exercise self-control.

    What do you think of your church leaders… our local leaders… even national leaders? Do you ever wonder if they pay attention and are of sound mind? For some certainly exercise little self-control.

    Paul instructs the church not to be like those who are not sober and to ‘watch unto prayer’ – KJV

    The same Apostle to the Gentiles who often asks, “pray also for me,” urges the church to be on watch (while others sleep in this present darkness). And pray to God concerning the things yet to come, even death — even judgment of all souls.

    The Love of Christians

    Peter next begins, “Above all things; that is, what I am about to say is of superior importance to you in these last days, beloved brother in Christ.

    ἔχω ἐκτενής ἀγάπη εἰς ἑαυτοῦ
    echō ektenēs agapē eis heautou

    … fervent in your love for one another …

    … have fervent charity among yourselves…

    1 Peter 4:8b NASB, KJV

    Above all things… Maintain constant love; Christ’s fervent brotherly love between each other, my fellow ‘Christians,’ We MUST love one another as Jesus has loved us.

    Do WE do that – this agape love for each other in the church?

    Charity is a true definition of this much maligned love – kindness and tenderness, a true caring among all the family of Christ’s body, the church.

    We all sin just like unbelievers do, so Peter tells us (the saints of the church) to do this as witness of Christ’s love for His body the church.

    8 [NASB] Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

    I certainly have a multitude of sins Christ covers. Do you?

    Jesus also told us why this agape love between Christians is so important.

    And because iniquity shall abound, the love G26 of many shall wax cold.

    By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love G26 one to another.

    The words of Jesus: Matthew 24:12, John 13:35 KJV

    Serving each other

    Peter instructs us:

    9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

    And just as Peter has instructed us to watch what we say and be careful in what we do, he applies this to God’s will.

    • 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words;
    • if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides…

    Peter provides motivation for our specific service to God within the body of Christ, the church:

    … so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.

    To which the Apostle adds a praise:

    To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

    Suffering & Persecution

    Beloved – ἀγαπητός agapētos

    We see genuine examples of Christ’s agape love in all the Apostles. Although we tend to think of the tender heart of young John and of Peter as a brash follower of Jesus, here Peter addresses those he loves of the church in the same way that an older John does in his letters.

    We feel the compassion of Peter’s approach to these brothers (and sisters) who like him are persecuted for the sake of Christ.

    Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

    1 Peter 4:12 KJV

    Some versions of the Bible begin this: “Dear friends,” which we tend to dismiss so casually, as if in the salutation of an impersonal letter. This appeal of Peter’s is far from impersonal. Beloved, a true Christian attitude and appropriate translation of ‘agapetos‘ fits perfectly into the context of our relationships in the body of Christ Jesus. He IS the head, beloved, and sore wounded for our sins.

    Christ’s sufferings and ours

    13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

    Christ’s glory will be revealed to all the world when the judgement of the end has come. Will you be with Jesus then because you are for Jesus now even in your suffering?

    Once again the translation of the King James Version is more pointed in comparing our motivations now to those who suffer for doing evil.

    15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

    16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

    Judgment must begin in the house of God

    For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

    1 Peter 4:17 CSB

    It’s time for judgment!

    Judgment, you ask? Why does Peter tell persecuted Christians that the time for judgment has come? And more pointedly, what does Peter mean by saying that judgment begins with ‘God’s household,’ specifically us?

    We tend to think of judgment only as a sentence by a judge or worse, the punishment of a law-breaker; but this narrow view is not entirely correct and does not encompass Peter’s meaning.

    κρίμα {from κρίνω}

    From a greek root meaning to separate, approve, judge or resolve; Peter’s meaning here [krima] may also mean: condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others.

    Peter calls on the saints of the church to judge ourselves first. Jesus, in fact, used the same word calling for self-conviction before the accusation of others.

    “For in the way G2917 you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

    Matthew 7:2 NASB

    Peter points back to the wisdom of Proverbs 11:31, calling on us to be righteous, for righteousness in Christ is our redeemed measure of God.

    Proverbs 11:

    30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
     and a wise person captivates people. 
    31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
     how much more the wicked and sinful.

    Peter’s application of Judgment

    18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

    19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

    King James Version (KJV)
    Public Domain

    To be continued...

  • Suffer for Good – a letter from Peter – 6

    Suffer for Good – a letter from Peter – 6

    To do good or evil?

    Previously, from the background of Psalm 34 Peter urges the church to be like-minded in doing good. The Christian Standard Bible labels these verses, “Do No Evil” and the New King James Version, “Called to Blessing.” Yet just five verses later Peter calls on us to suffer.

    Our action? “Seek peace and pursue it.” [1 Peter 3:11b CSB]

    Peace, from the greek, εἰρήνη – eirēnē, is a trait of witness for followers of Christ, therefore Peter insists that we must pursue it to be Christ-like.

    Depart from evil and do good;
    Seek peace and pursue it.

    The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
    And His ears are open to their cry.

    Psalm 34:14-15 NASB

    This, too, Peter urges from the Psalm; but then he draws an application from this Psalm of David applying it to followers of Christ.

    Pursue Suffering?

    1 Peter 3:

    The CSB calls it, “Undeserved Suffering” and the NKJV heads this section, “Suffering for Right and Wrong.” J.B. Phillips summarizes Peter’s central message of his letter to the church, “Do good, even if you suffer for it.”

    13-16 [PHILLIPS] After all, who in the ordinary way is likely to injure you for being enthusiastic for good?

    It’s a question of fairness, but also one about our motives in what we pursue.

    We may sense some fairness from unbelievers when we do good. Yet those who pursue good (but not Christ) sometimes pursue evil and may turn against Christ-followers.

    The Greek idea of pursuit here, διώκω – diōkō, actually suggests:

    ‘to make to run or flee, but also, to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after or to press on.’ Metaphorically to pursue good, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire.

    Peter reminds from the Psalm that the Lord watches both those who pursue evil and those who pursue good.

    14 CSB But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.

    Peter quotes the Prophet Isaiah [8:12] urging:

    Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

    Christ, holiness in your heart

    Patiently endure suffering, for our Lord and Savior also suffered.

    The NKJV states: 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and the NASB urges: 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. What does this mean to a follower of Jesus?

    Who is Lord? Who is supreme in your life?

    Peter’s guidance to the church comes from his own personal witness.

    – excerpt from Mark 8:27-29 CSB

    Jesus had asked Peter and the Twelve, “Who do people say that I am?” He then asked the Disciples, “… who do you say that I am?”

    Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”

    Christ Jesus Lord!

    Χριστός Christos Ἰησοῦς Iēsous κύριος kyrios

    All of the Apostles (not just Peter) witnessed Jesus as the Christ to the church. John, who would have been with Peter here, also writes the Good News of their earlier calling:

    One of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon [that is, Peter] and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).

    John 1:40-41 NASB

    Have you found the Messiah?

    That is, do you have Christ [God with us] in your heart, Peter asks those who suffer for Jesus?

    Sanctify Christ as Lord

    If God is with you, then act like Jesus so that unbelievers may see the Lord in the actions of your heart.

    15-16 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

    Sanctify Him in your hearts.

    What does that mean, what must I do?

    Understand the holiness of the Lord God!

    The Creator is not like any other man or object of His creation. And the Messiah Jesus must be honored with this same Holiness.

    Sanctify – ἁγιάζω – hagiazō – from hagios, ‘sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)’ – 1. to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable [commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity] or hallow; 2. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; 3. to purify

    Some will recall Jesus’ instruction to the Apostles about prayer from the King James Version:

    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

    Matthew 6:9a KJV

    Hallow the Lord in your heart, Peter tells us. καρδία – kardia, which we recognize as the heart ‘denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life.’

    All tradition from Jewish teaching recognizes the heart not only in the physical sense, but more importantly as ‘the centre and seat of spiritual life.’

    A Model for Suffering

    Gentleness and respect begin Peter’s list here of qualities of a sanctified heart for Jesus.

    He continues with keeping a clear conscience, so that unbelievers who slander you for doing good are put to shame before the Lord.

    Suffer only for doing good, but not for doing evil as the false followers of God will claim.

    For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.

    1 Peter 3:18a CSB

    Do you realize that your suffering for Christ Jesus may lead someone unrighteous to God?

    Peter, having God’s own Spirit in his heart, puts forth Jesus as our example of both suffering and hope.

    He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…

    1 Peter 3:18b CSB

    He went and preached to the spirits in prison.

    Peter witnessed the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus! And Peter tells us more of the Lord’s victory over sin and death.

    Without Jesus’ death for our sin we would have no victory. Those who died not knowing Jesus had no victory, though they did suffer death.

    Who are these spirits in prison?

    It’s a somewhat secondary debate from the greek of Peter’s letter, but consider the events following Jesus’ death and His appearance three days later.

    The Gospel records that He yielded up His spirit [gk. pneuma].

    Matthew 27: NKJV

    Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints [ hagios or holy ones ] who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

    Peter now proclaims a cleansing of the spirit comparing baptism (permanent change possible only in Christ) to the Lord’s cleansing of the earth at the time of Noah.

    One understanding of prison as a Greek metaphor for waiting illustrates the time of one of the three watches of the night. (See Stongs’ explanation.)

    1 Peter 3:

    NIV 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

    Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

    1 Peter 3:21-22 CSB

    Why Suffer?

    1 Peter 4:

    Therefore since Christ suffered physically, Peter begins, understand why you must suffer for doing good for Him as your Lord. (Remember that these first century believers were already suffering for their faith in Jesus.)

    “Arm yourselves also with the same purpose,” the NASB reads.

    Why?

    “… because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin…

    You, beloved believer are changed permanently in Christ. For you suffer in the flesh as did our Lord AND you have ceased to sin.

    [You are] finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

    What an uplifting encouragement from Peter to the suffering church. Yet he strengthens their personal resolve further.

    What remaining time did these suffering believers have?

    Perhaps little; some only days or weeks.

    And you, beloved follower of Christ, what little time might you have left to suffer in the flesh?

    Our Former Sin

    3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

    Judge yourself, fellow sinner. Even if we have not committed some of these godless offenses in the eyes of the Lord, our flesh without Christ has coveted evil. Peter warns suffering believers to hold firm in our faith.

    4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

    And I remind us where Peter began this contrast between you or me and those who cause us to suffer for Christ.

    2 … live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

    Peter then assures us of God’s fairness and judgement.

    They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

    1 Peter 4:5 CSB

    Hope in the Gospel

    Peter speaks of Jesus preaching even to the dead. The end is near for some of the believers to whom he writes. What is the hope for those who suffer? Why must we suffer for Christ?

    For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

    1 Peter 4:6 CSB

    We were once dead in our sins. Yet God wants us to live in the spirit according to His will.

    Jesus, our Savior will judge, separating those who follow from those who will receive the justice of their own sin — punishment without the grace of God’s mercy.

    Endure in your suffering for Christ Jesus, in these last days.

    To be continued...