Christ's Law

[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 3:14b . . And do not fear their intimidation, nor be shaken,

Peer pressure, mob rule, cultural influences, group-think, censoring, ostracism,
changing customs, and political powers are always at work seeking to manipulate
Christians and tone down their moral values.

This is especially true in communist countries like North Korea and China. Their
governments do not tolerate attempts to correct their unholy management
practices consisting of cunning, duplicity, bad faith, theft, dishonesty, cruelty,
abuse, thought control, unjust legal practices, gulags, murder, beatings,
kidnapping, political prisons, media control, and dissent suppression.

In addition: Christianity seeks to unify families whereas communism seeks to
splinter them, even to the point of family members spying on each other and
reporting each other to the authorities. Christians value God as an ally, whereas
communism regards God as an enemy of the State who despises their way of doing
things and wants them taken down.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 3:15a . . Dedicate your hearts to The Lord God

A word not commonly heard in Christian circles is loyalty; variously defined by
Webster's as allegiance, faithfulness, and fidelity.

This goes much further than just merely believing in God; it includes following His
instructions.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

The Greek word for Lord in that passage is a title that applies to just about anybody
considered a superior and/or an authority figure. People often called Jesus "master"
and sometimes "rabbi" which refers to teachers, especially spiritual counselors.

We might paraphrase Luke 6:46 to say: If you are convinced that the words I
preach are true and reliable, then why are you not complying with them?
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 3:15b . . Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a
reason of the hope that is in you.

The only requirement there is to always be ready; we are not required to always
give an answer. In point of fact Christ restricts our responses to sincere folks rather
than any John Que and/or Jane Doe pumpkin that happens along.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they
may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." (Matt
7:6)

Anyway: the Greek word for "hope" in that passage basically pertains to
expectation, viz: it isn't wishful thinking, nor crossing your fingers; no, this kind of
hope is a confident looking forward to taking possession of something that's already
in the bag, viz: it's an anticipating hope, i.e. it doesn't pray for the best, while in
the back of its mind dreading the worst.

When people are uncertain what the future has in store for them-- if there is even
the slightest anxiety or unease --then of course they can't possibly comply with
Peter's instructions for the simple reason that the hope that is in them, if any, is the
wrong kind of hope.

"Rejoicing in hope." (Rom 12:12)

People have absolutely no cause for rejoicing when they're unsure of their afterlife
destination, no, but they do have plenty of cause to fear the unknown.

* Know-so hope is a calling.

"You were called to one hope when you were called" (Eph 4:4)

FAQ: What is this so-called one hope?

REPLY: One of its components is a new body. (Acts 2:26-27, Acts 23:6, Rom 8:23
25, and 1John 3:2)

Having a new body to look forward to is comforting, and helps me cope with my
current one's deterioration. Death is bad enough, but the aging process to my
thinking is worse. Thank heavens we only have to get old just the one time and
never again.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:1-2 . .Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also
with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from
sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but
for the will of God.

The Greek word for "flesh" basically pertains to the meaty parts of either man or
beast; i.e. the body. The meaty parts of course consist of not only muscle and fat;
but also the brain, the blood, and nervous system along with the body's chemistry,
e.g. its hormones and such; and according to 1John 2:16, our bodies are listed
among the three of mankind's worst enemies.

The "lusts of men" is speaking of lusts that are common to human nature. (cf. 1Cor
10:13)

The Greek word for "lusts" basically pertains to longing, defined by Webster's as a
strong desire, i.e. a craving.

Cravings aren't necessarily bad. Problems arise when we let our cravings rule us to
the point of acting contrary to good scruples and/or our better judgment especially
when it comes to making God frown upon our conduct as unbecoming, i.e.
inappropriate for His son's followers.

NOTE: It offends some Christians to even so much as suggest that Christ might've
had human longings just like everybody else. They truly believe he should have
been above all that-- he wasn't. Much of Jesus' suffering in the flesh came from
suppressing his body's natural cravings. (Heb 5:7-8)

The Word in heaven above knew by omniscience that it's not easy to live the life of
an h.sapiens down here on the ground; but now he knows for himself as a human
being by personal experience just how tough it is because the Word didn't come to
Earth in the likeness of divine flesh, rather, in the likeness of Jewish flesh. (cf. Rom
8:3, Heb 2:16 18, Heb 4:15)
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:7 . . The culmination of all things is approaching; therefore be serious, and
watchful in your prayers.

I think we can safely apply some of the parable of the ten virgins to this passage.
(Matt 25:1-13)

The big mistake made by the five foolish virgins was abandoning their watch to go
in pursuit of something far less important than the arrival of the bridegroom.

Seeing as how nobody knows either the date or the hour of Christ's arrival spoken
of in 1Thess 4:13-17, then everyone would be well-advised to avoid getting too
absorbed in worldly pursuits lest the Lord suddenly appear unexpected right over
their heads yelling: All aboard! and they be unprepared to go with him;
consequently getting themselves left behind.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:8 . . Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love
hides a large number of sins.

A person easily provoked is not a loving person.

One Saturday morning I and another man at church were moving some furniture
from one place to another inside the main building where, completely unknown to
us, a wedding rehearsal was being conducted.

The woman in charge of organizing the wedding came out into the hall and began
scolding us for talking and making noise. When I pointed out that there were no
posted signs in the hallway indicating a function in progress on the other side of the
door, she became sullen, and tightened her lips and narrowed her eyes in anger.

Had that lady exemplified the love about which Peter wrote, she would have
handled her inconvenience with a little more tact and sensitivity, i.e. diplomacy.

BTW: That same lady was also in the choir, and sang doxologies in front of about
2,000 people every Sunday morning. She was good at musical harmony, but
obviously in sore need of some training in the civil kind.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:10 . .As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The Greek word for "manifold" basically means motley, i.e. varied in character. All
that’s really saying is that the gifts of God are multifarious; viz: having a number of
different aspects or characteristics. (cf. Rom 12:5-8, 1Cor 12:1-11)

Unfortunately, people with natural aptitudes generally make up the majority of
those in church capacities for which is supposed to be required a spiritual gift from
God. They may look like they're "on fire" for The Lord, but really all they are is
ambitious.

Now, the important thing is: good stewards of the manifold grace of God use their
gift not for showing off, nor for a feather in one's cap; rather, for the benefit of
others.

Paul encourages gifts (1Cor 12:31) and I would add to that by warning to exercise
restraint because the Greek word translated "serving" refers to attendants, waiters,
and hosts. In other words, if you're not comfortable with the thought of seeing to
the needs of others, then you may not enjoy the life of someone entrusted with a
spiritual gift, i.e. they're not achievements, rather, they're a serious responsibility
with accountability to go along with it. (1Cor 3:11-15)
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:11a . . If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God.

I don't see standing in for God's voice as a privilege; to me it is a heavy
responsibility, and incumbent upon the speaker to experience a very high degree of
confidence that his comments and remarks are not only acceptable, but also
infallible and free of sophistry and natural wisdom.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:11b . . Whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God
supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Serving in the strength which God provides consists of not exceeding that strength,
i.e. stay within your limits because by doing so, you will serve the Lord's best
interests rather than their own.
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[Olde Tymer]

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● 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, don't be perplexed by the fiery trials you are going
through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad--
because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and
afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed
to all the world.

The USA has recently undergone a period of cultural, political, economic, and
religious disintegration in the hands of some very demonic people. I didn't like it,
but I had to live thru it as best I could; always keeping in mind that for Jesus'
followers; these kinds of disagreeable circumstances are conditioning us to better
associate with Christ.

It's easy to think of his sufferings as only those that occurred on the cross and the
night of his arrest. But it's important to remember that Christ lived on this earth for
about 30 years prior to his public appearances; and during those years did not lead
a sheltered life; in point of fact, during those 30 years he underwent a sort of boot
camp.

● Heb 5:7-9 . . During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and
petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and
he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he
learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the
source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

There aren't many of Jesus' impassioned prayers in the Gospels. The place to look
for those is the Psalms where David did quite of a bit of ghost writing for him. (cf.
Luke 24:44-45)

The Bible says there is no trial taken you but such as is common to the entire
human race (1Cor 10:13). Jesus wasn't shielded from any of those. The Word not
only came as a man, but he also lived as a man.

● Heb 2:17-18 . . It was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his
brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before
God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is qualified to help
us when we are being tempted.

● Heb 4:15-16 . .This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced
all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the
throne of our gracious God. There we will obtain mercy, and find grace to help us
when we need it.

So then, when we meet with Christ around the table in God's home, I don't expect
to meet a stranger to my way of life; no, I fully expect to meet a man who's been
around the block a time or two. Not only will he be able to relate to my stories, but
I in return will be able to relate to his. Sharing in Christ's glory would have the
nature of an entourage if not for the fact that I will have the satisfaction of knowing
that Christ, in a manner of speaking, came from the same neighborhood as I to get
to where he is today.
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