Wednesday, April 17, 2019

The Apostle Peter's Encouragement – Part 2



1 Peter 2:6-8 “Built up as living stones we will not be disappointed.  However unto those who don't believe the cornerstone Jesus Christ will be a stumbling stone. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: where unto also they were appointed.” As living stones we're built up to offer spiritual sacrifices holy unto God.

Michael continues that although Christians are in this world, we are not of this world. (John 15:18-19 and John 17:14-16). The wealthier the culture becomes, the more the people will worship the almighty dollar and the idol "blessings" of this world. When true Children of God preach the Word of God, the world will persecute them and ostracize them for speaking against what the God-rejecting world system considers “politically correct”. The secular world does not realize that the true blessing is to pursue the Blessor (Creator God) and not the blessing. Therefore, Peter reminds us that we are God's building, His holy temple and that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the firm foundation.

According to 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” The Lord chose us before we chose Him. He chose us before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. We're a royal priesthood with direct access to our Heavenly Father. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. We, who have been born from above, are an holy nation. We're citizens of Heaven, having been born again, not of corruptible seed (of Adam) but of incorruptible (of God) by the Word of God which lives and abides forever.

Continuing in 1 Peter 2:11, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”. To win the spiritual battle, we must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” The two offensive weapons in our spiritual arsenal are the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and prayer. We're aliens and foreigners in a sinful world of darkness. We're citizens of Heaven. 

To bear up under suffering, we must understand that this world is not our home; we're just passing through. If we hold on to the things of this world, John said, the love of the father is not in us. In a hostile world, Jesus said, "Blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven."  As the Apostle Paul said, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The love of God defeats the hatred of the adversary (Satan) and his minions.  According to Romans 12, “be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.”  

Let's conclude Michael's message on Peter's encouragement in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

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