The previous study dealt with how we are to represent Christ in various relationships. Jesus taught the disciples, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Remember, love is action, accompanied by feeling; it's how we treat each other and how we behave. Be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling; turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” [Isaiah 8:12] 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. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:13-17)
Regardless of how others may treat us, "whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31) Therefore, "do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) We as Christians aren't supposed to change our beliefs and behavior to deal with others, but we are supposed to help lead others to Christ, always 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. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:21)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. [Genesis 6-9] There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer 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, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (I Peter 3:18-22)
Let's not misunderstand the text, baptism does not save us. Baptism is an outward showing that we now have a good conscience toward God. How do we have that good conscience? Through confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead... (Romans 10:9) “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) In other words, we have to believe the Word of God, And the Word became flesh... (John 1:14), Christ Jesus! That's what Noah and the ark symbolized, even though it had never rained, didn't look like it was going to rain, and everyone picked on him for building the ark for 120 years, Noah obeyed God, and his wife and their three sons and their wives obeyed God; therefore, they were saved, eight souls, were saved through water.
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles [unbelievers]—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (I Peter 4:1-6)
It's not easy to change! It's not easy to live differently than we used to live. It's not easy to still be in this world and around the same people we used to be around, and not go the places we used to go, or hang out with the people we used to hang out with, or do the things we used to do. That's why God filled us with His Holy Spirit, to empower us to study His Word, understand it and apply it to our lives. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) We can't allow ourselves to give into temptation and go back to doing the things we did when we were unbelievers and unsaved.
Everyone will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead, even those who died during the flood. That's why He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. We don't have to worry about whether or not everyone will have the opportunity to hear the gospel and make a decision for salvation or not. God is more than able and capable to make sure ALL hear the Truth, because “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Isaiah 45:23)
We need to be more concerned with whether or not we are right with God, and if we are sure that we are, then lead as many as we can to Christ, not only by our word but by our actions. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” [Proverbs 10:12] Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:7-11)
No comments:
Post a Comment