Monday, March 12, 2018

"...to Bring you to God"

1Pet.3:18 - fundamental part of Peter's letter and what he wants to say.    Example:  Bridge

1Pet.4:1 - therefore - arm yourself .. with the same attitude which =will to suffer IF that is God's will to accomplish God's purpose

"done with sin" - does NOT mean done with the struggle with sin.
                       - it means done with service to sin.   Have come to fork in road, have to make a choice - Who is Lord??
1 Pet. 4:2-4 - "heap abuse" from ridicule to persecution.  Especially true of NEW Converts!!!!   Example:  Young people

1Pet.4:5 - "But .... they'll give account"  "to God of living and dead!"  - Heb. 10:31

1 Pet. 4:6 - whoever the "dead" are, the point is ...
       #1.  they had opportunity to choose
        #2.  they'll be judged according to that choice!! -  had to choose - God or self!

1 Pet. 4:7 - "end is near" - (later in 2nd. Pet. 3)  But the point = the end is near.... the judgment is at hand ...
THEREFORE
1Pet. 4:7-11 - Three pieces of instruction:
#1.  be clear minded and self-controlled - so that spiritual life is what it should be.
(my paraphrase = think properly and act accordingly)
OR
Give careful consideration to decisions and actions.   Make an initial response - then develop a Christian lifestyle - Isa. 1:18

Therefore #2 - Love one another deeply.
On one hand, agape is not primarily emotion (=decision/action)
Therefore - it can be commanded, can be chosen

So, "love one anther deeply" = "fervently" (earnestly, intensely, sincerely)  1 Pet. 1:22 - suggests we
should WORK on our FEELINGS.

"covers ....sins" ???  does NOT mean atone for (remove as does the cross), but = suppress/contain/smother

Therefore #3 Use Your Gifts - to serve others (compare 1 Cor. 12:7)
                                              administering God's grace   (example:  conduit, conductor)
AND - "do this in the strength God provides" - compare Gideon - Judges 6:14 - little nobody saved Israel out of the hands of the Midianites.

"So that,,,," God may be praised in all things!"  through Christ Jesus.

Closing Scripture:  2 Tim. 4:1-5


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