Well, the sickness has let up, and I finally got back to work today. It's good to get back into the swing of things again, and I enjoyed reading through the book of 1 Peter today. It talks about suffering in every chapter, and assumes that we will go through hard times, but always from a perspective of purpose and hope.
Why does Peter say we face trials, and to what end? To test and prove our faith (1:7); to follow Christ's example and be commended by God (2:19, 21); because there's a blessing in it (3:14, 17); so that we are done with sin and live for God (4:1-2); God will restore us in time (5:10). Chapter 4, verses 12-19 also talk about it. The important thing to note is that the reason for these trials, and the end result of them, should be the same. They come because we are serving God, living for Christ, and doing good, for His glory. By the end of them we should still be serving God, living for Christ, and doing good, for His glory.
Peter includes many wise words on how to live this way, suffering or no suffering, which we ought to take to heart, whatever situation we find ourselves in. Chapter 1, verses 13-15 say, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. / As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. / But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;" and verse 22 of the same chapter talks about loving each other with a sincere, heartfelt love. Verse 1 of chapter 2 says, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." and verse 11 goes on to tell us to abstain from sinful desires, because they're waging war against our soul. What may seem like a tempting promise of pleasure or comfort is really a vicious attack, and should be seen as such. Rather than considering it, and saying, "No, I don't think I'll do that today," we ought to rebuff it strongly. Those sinful desires are not an option if I want to live as a godly man. As a godly man, they hinder everything that I am about, and destroy good work that I could be doing. Chapter 3, verses 8-9, say, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. / Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." Then verses 15-16 instruct us to always be ready with the reason that we have this hope, yet to do it with gentleness, respect and a clear conscience. Chapter 4, in verses 7-11, talks about having a clear mind and self-control, love, hospitality and service, and to use God's strength and authority as we do His work, so that the praise will go to God. Chapter 5, verses 8-9 again speak of self-control, being alert, and resisting the enemy.
One other thing I wanted to focus on is Peter's talk to husbands and wives in chapter 3. I'll start, as I ought to, with the part that I ought to take notice of for the future - his words to husbands. God calls us men to be considerate and respectful to our wives. Why wait until marriage to be considerate and respectful? I'm not only calling myself, but all aspiring godly men to follow Christ's example in this area, and in this way we will help the ladies 'not to give way to fear' (verse 6). The other side of Peter's talk is to wives. There is a huge amount of beauty in pure, reverent lives. I believe that while a godly man can certainly appreciate outward adornment, the true beauty, and the deepest, most captivating attraction, comes from exactly what Peter says in verse 4, "Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." For this reason, the 'wife of noble character' spoken of in Proverbs 31 is truly a treasure, and is the kind of woman I aspire to marry. As Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
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