Study: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Peter's epistle reminds us continually that believers are resident aliens in this world. As such, we should not think it "to be a strange thing" when the residents of this world treat us as our Lord was treated. Resident aliens had no rights, they could not expect fair justice in the land of their sojourn. The were not treated in the same manner as citizens of the land.

Last evening, we had a wonderful time of fellowship around the Word as we discussed these things. This passage reminds us that there are many throughout history and throughout the world even today who undergo fiery trials. As we saw in our text last Sunday, we see here in 1 Peter 4:19 as well that this suffering is by the will of God. Therefore, there is comfort. The strange and sometimes fiery trials are not beyond the scope of God's power, but as the nations rage against the Lord, our God takes note and our vindication is sure. If this world persecutes us, if they judge us and bring persecutions upon us from a small degree to large persecutions, their judgment awaits. As Peter puts it, if judgment has now begun upon the house of God by the unbelieving people of this world, what will their fate be when the Judge condemns them for their disobedience to the Gospel?

Therefore, as believers, we are to conduct ourselves with confidence and know that we ought to glorify God in the midst of whatever suffering this world will bring to us for the name of Christ. As we discussed last night, let us entrust ourselves to our faithful God, with Christ ever-present in our minds as our example, who entrusted Himself to God as He bore our sins to heal us by His wounds.

How sweet and wonderful is the Great Shepherd and Guardian of our souls!

Study: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Last night we met and looked at 1 Peter 4:7-11. It was good to be together again on a Wednesday night...we have missed the last two weeks do to illnesses.

The text led us into a very honest discussion of the seriousness of this life. As the passage says, we are to be sound in judgment and sober minded for the sake of prayer, especially in light of our duty towards one another as fellow resident aliens in this world.

Therefore, we must exercise fervent love for one another. We must view our lives as critically important and use our speech and our deeds to build one another up, knowing that we should reflect the power and the glory of Christ through our conduct towards one another. Hence, the passage ends the exhortation to this godly conduct saying that our lives must glorify Jesus Christ in this manner to show forth the glory of His power and His dominion.

Let love therefore cover our sins. Let us not give up on one another. Let us not turn from one another, feeling betrayed, feeling as if others have failed us. As we discussed last night, such love is beautiful and it ought to be the desire of our heart to seek this godly love which will carry us forth while we are still pilgrims in this land.

This text has led me to consider the blessings in my life through those in the Church that have shown me and my family hospitality; who have served and ministered to us in our times of need and throughout our lives. May God be praised for the power of His Spirit in the Church!