Epistle - 1 Peter 1-3
November 5, 2009 by: JoyousConcerto
Peter wrote this letter to boost the morale and strengthen the faith of the Christians who were suffering because of the ill-treatment and ridicule of those who did not share the same faith. Let’s read 1 Peter 1-3:
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 1-3
Houston, we have a problem…
When we are faced with a problem, the problem usually commands a large portion of our attention. It balloons in our minds, sometimes to proportions bigger than it really is. At these times, we need to see clearly the direction we’re heading and re-focus.
The Christians Peter was addressing were facing various kinds of trials in their lives then (1 Peter 1:6).
These trials impacted their lives to various extents. Like them, we struggle when we experience trials because we believe in keeping ourselves pure (1 Peter 1:22) and upholding our faith (1 Peter 1:7). Good and evil are opposites. If they were to be placed on the ends of a pole, one on each side, and were both pulling us toward themselves, there exists a struggle if we want to be on one side but not the other.
Soul at stake
In spiritual trials, the stakes are high. Our faith will be put to the proof.
I draw a mental word cloud as I read through the verses. I pick out these words which are associated with ‘evil’ - malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1), disobedient (1 Peter 2:7), fleshy lusts (1 Peter 2:11).
It is very likely that the trials we meet with will consist of one or more of these listed above. Do we suffer in silence? (1 Peter 3:15) How do we deal with each of them?
Returning good for evil, even amidst persecution, is central to Peter’s theme too.
What are these ‘good’? Let’s draw another word cloud: sober, obedient, holy (1 Peter 1:13-16), honour, love, fear (1 Peter 2:11), submissive, endure (1 Peter 2:18-19), tender-hearted, courteous (1 Peter 3:8), meekness, sanctify (1 Peter 3:15).
How do we combat evil with good? Sounds noble! Can we do it?
1 Peter 1:9 prompts us to re-focus and reminds us of our purpose - we hold fast to our faith no matter what happens so that at the end of it all, our souls can be saved.
And the winner is…
In schools we have tests, assignments and examinations.
In the workplace, we attend courses for personal development and to enhance work performances. Sometimes, at the end of the course, there is an assessment to gauge the knowledge acquired or the level of competency attained to perform a certain job function.
All these various forms of performance evaluation are needful to track the skill set and level of expertise of the student or staff.
God sometimes allows trials to come our way so we can be tested and polished to be fine Christians (James 1:2-4).
Food for thought:
We thank God if today we are able to recognise a trial for what it is and are putting up a fierce struggle to do right and to stay on course!
The stakes are weighty as it involves our soul.
Let’s ponder: Will this trial I’m going through right now produce a shiny precious gem or an uncut, rough piece at the end of the day?
I’ll leave you with Hymn 366 Have Faith in God (Mark 11:22):
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely
He sees and knows all the way you have trod
Never alone are the least of His children
Have faith in God, have faith in God
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered
Your earnest plea He will never forget
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient
Have faith in God, He’s answer yet
Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow
His heart is touched with your grief and despair
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him
And leave them there, oh, leave them there
Chorus:
Have faith in God, He’s on His throne
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own
He cannot fail, He must prevail
Have faith in God, have faith in God.
For those who would like to have music accompaniment as you sing this hymn, here is it….
November 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am
When we trudge through difficult times, our perceptions and sense of understandings may be impaired one way or the other. If we are strong emotionally, it will see us through. If we are not, it may throw us into a depressive state and other forms of physiological and psychological problems. In the secular world, most cases can be dwelt with.
But the big question for Christians is - how can we remain spiritually intact and not lose sight of God when we lose our sense of being and are besides ourselves? No matter how strong our faith may be, it’s not safe to walk the journey alone. We need helping hands from God’s people. While praying companions is the main answer to all, some need additional TLC (tender loving care) and non-judgmental understanding.
Most of us can cry with those who cry. But, for how long? Can we endure with the sufferers till they heal? It may be a long road to recovery! While the sufferers plunge into self-doubt, self-pity, bitterness and negativeness, the “helpers” suffer from lack of empathy, lack of unconditional support and perseverance to forebear with the sufferers’ weaknesses. We tend to leave them alone after some time of counselling with the reason that “we have done all we could” or “we don’t know what else to say”. If we had been a sufferer and had tasted the bitter pill before, we will know that it’s not all about the quantity of words said. Rather, will you be there for me when no one understands me? And let me whine about my situation but not get irritated with me? Will you not judge me that I have brought this upon myself (even if it’s so)?
My conscience is pricked with guilt as I reflect on this. May we pray earnestly for a heart of God, a caregiver’s heart filled with His compassion and unconditional love for others. May we strive to be our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
BRC’s Companion…Hear Hear!
As i read your comment, im pricked by my guilty conscience too.
I just did a dictionary search for the word ‘friend’ and besides usual definitions, the word history states that a friend is a lover, literally.
The old English word for “friend,” was simply the present participle of the verb frēon, “to love.”
Are our friends really our friends? Do we really love and treasure them? Have we forgotten how much they have done for us in the past? Do we truly understand what ‘to love’ means?
Remember how they prayed for us earnestly or cared for us when we were having troubles? Remember the happier times? Remember how great a friend he or she was?
Sometimes we might be too caught up with our own busy lives that we forget about them, or, sad to say, in my case, push their sad faces to the back of my brain and file it for a later date.
Humans tend to gravitate to ‘happier places’ and that is perfectly understandable.
But i remember one of Pr CAQ’s sermons regarding the complete word..and that is, to be able to laugh and also to be able to cry.
Let’s pray to God earnestly to soften our hearts that we treasure and love our friends UNCONDITIONALLY and not be blinded by prejudices or hearsay.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:38 am
God said these words, “Be holy because I am holy.”
1 Pet 1:15 but as He who called on you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”
Lev 11:44 “For I am the LORD your God. You shall be therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy….”
Lev 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them:’You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
Lev 20:7 “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.”
We ‘who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last day” can be holy bec we are kept by God who is holy.
The word of God is liken to milk to a baby to give us growth in our spiritual stature to consecration and holiness.
Trust the word of God and consecrate ourselves.
Always remember: God gives the Holy Spirit to help us.
Always remember: God wants us to be holy because He is holy.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Listening ears and an understanding heart…sigh, 2 of the many christian characters which i lack. Thank God i m seeing them on brethren in church.
Hi Good Mentors, keep up your good work.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:37 am
this is really good —- thats what I think. Having faith to God is all about that. I had to write this down —- because, well, it really does related to the motto, ” have faith in God” Thank God!