Bible Study: December 18, 2007
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"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress." (Psalm 71:1-3)
It is Tuesday December 18, 2007 and today we are beginning our studies on the book of I Peter. Please read, I Peter 1 -- 2. In Today's Reading we will learn about the call to Christian dedication; the proper use of Christian liberty; and the example of Christ's suffering.
The book of I Peter was written by the apostle Peter to the Exiles (those banished) who were being persecuted for their Christian faith. The purpose of this letter was to warn believers of the dangers of persecution from those outside of the Church. "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:1-5)
Peter referred to Christians as elect, those who are chosen through sanctification of the Spirit, and by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. "Sprinkling" alludes to the blood which was sprinkled on the Brazen Altar as a symbol of the people's obedience to God, as well as on the people as a symbol of God's acceptance of them (See Exodus 24:1-11).
As Christians, we look forward to the inheritance reserved in heaven for us. And although we have this promise during our brief lifetime in this world, Peter urged that since we are strangers and only spend a brief moment of our lifetime on earth that we should abstain from the fleshly desires that cause us to war against our own soul."But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (2:9-12).
Peter continued to remind us of the importance of living a holy life, saying: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1:13-17) "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (21-25).
Since the Bible is our one complete source of guidance and strength, Peter urged believers that as babies (new converts) we desire to be fed the milk of the Word so we may grow more Spiritually. Peter points out that the nourishment of the Word is essential if we are to live as obedient children. Our desire to know the Bible in order to do the Lord's will is always in our very best interest.
Seeing that you have purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit explains how surrender to the Lord's authority and the power of His Word transforms lives. Peter describes Christians as a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Each of us is a sacred temple for the indwelling Holy Spirit. In addition, we have been chosen to chosen to represent God therefore we are to show praises to Him for He called us out of the darkness and into the light. Praise God that you are a chosen one.
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with a new day here on earth and thank you for the many blessings you have given me today. You are worthy of all praise so today I will spend this time only praising You. Thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad. Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, my colleagues, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey. Thank you for giving me strength to overcome adversity, to do what's right for the benefit of the greater good, to rise above negativity. Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love. In Jesus' name, I praise You.....Amen.
Have a wonderful and joyful day/night.
God bless,
Christina
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