1)\u00a0 MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous” (Kyle Pope)
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MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kyle Pope Have you ever come to a point in your life at which you asked yourself the question, What good does it do?\u2014What\u2019s the point? <\/em>Persecution can often cause this. It was persecution that led Elijah to cry out to God, \u201cIt is enough; now O LORD, take my life\u201d (1 Kings 19:4, NASB). In Peter\u2019s first epistle, as he wrote to brethren \u201cgrieved by various trials\u201d (1 Pet. 1:6, NKJV), one can almost hear underlying his words of encouragement these same kinds of questions that seek to make sense of life in Christ. The Holy Spirit, through Peter\u2019s words, offers answers to all who would ever wonder if service in Christ really matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I study Peter\u2019s first epistle, I can\u2019t help but smile when I notice that, like many of us gospel preachers, Peter says \u201cfinally\u201d when he is actually only about halfway through what he intends to say. We can see chapter three, verse eight, as the beginning of his conclusion to this epistle. This summation continues what he has already begun to address\u2014he calls them to proper behavior. If they are truly those who were \u201credeemed\u201d (1 Pet. 1:18), then they must \u201cbe of one mind, having compassion for one another\u201d (1 Pet. 3:8a). Those who have \u201cbeen born again\u201d (1 Pet. 1:23) must \u201clove as brothers\u201d being \u201ctenderhearted\u201d and \u201ccourteous\u201d (1 Pet. 3:8b, NKJV) or, as some manuscripts put it, \u201chumble-minded\u201d (ASV). Their Redeemer, when He \u201cwas reviled, did not revile in return\u201d (1 Pet. 2:23), so those who follow Him will not return \u201cevil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing\u201d (1 Pet. 3:9a, NKJV). This may be strange behavior by the world\u2019s standards, but not for \u201csojourners and pilgrims\u201d (1 Pet. 2:11). They will recognize that they \u201cwere called to this\u201d because it is through this way of life that they \u201cmay inherit a blessing\u201d (1 Pet. 3:9b). It is this promise of blessing that stands behind all of the Christian\u2019s hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the face of hardship, disappointment, persecution, and sorrow, it is a hope that one day the child of God may \u201csee good days\u201d that answers the underlying question, Why?\u2014Why keep going?<\/em> Peter paraphrases Psalm 34:12-16 to answer this question. The psalmist puts it in the form of a question: \u201cwho is the man who?\u201d (Ps. 34:12a), but Peter just asserts, \u201cHe who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit\u201d (1 Pet. 3:10). To see life and \u201cgood days,\u201d one must \u201cturn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it\u201d (1 Pet. 3:11). These \u201cgood days\u201d must not be thought of in a limited sense of deliverance in this life. Sometimes, that may happen, but \u201csojourners and pilgrims\u201d recognize that their hope rests elsewhere. If comfort and ease in this life indicated Divine approval then we would have to conclude that the ungodly, the sinful, and even those who persecute God\u2019s people, are actually approved by Him. Who are those who truly stand approved before God? Peter and the Psalmist answer, \u201cThe eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil\u201d (1 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 34:15-16). The false teaching that an alien sinner can offer the \u201csinner\u2019s prayer\u201d and by it come into fellowship with God ignores this clear testimony of Scripture. God hears the appeals of His people. Souls must first be among the redeemed so that His ears might be \u201copen to their prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only a few verses later in this same chapter, Peter touches on the point at which one does come into fellowship with God in Christ. He raises it by way of comparison with a point he had made about Noah, who was \u201csaved through water\u201d (1 Pet. 3:20). Peter declares, \u201ccorresponding to that, baptism now saves you\u201d (1 Pet. 3:21a, NASB). The baptized believer can live in the assurance that God sees and is ever conscious of his condition. While God sees, hears, and knows all things (Prov. 15:3), in a special sense, His eyes are \u201con the righteous\u201d and His ears are \u201copen to their prayers\u201d (1 Pet. 3:12). So, what good does it do to serve Christ?\u2014why are believers allowed to suffer hardship and persecution? In some cases doing what is right prevents suffering. Peter asks, \u201cwho is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?\u201d (1 Pet. 3:13, NKJV). If we do good, even to the ungodly, sometimes this will spare us from harm, but Peter continues, \u201cBut even if you should suffer\u201d (1 Pet. 3:14a). Where is the proof of this hope?\u2014How can we know in the face of persecution we will \u201csee good days\u201d?<\/em> Peter tells us the very One who redeemed us offers assurance to us of this hope and blessing. He declares, \u201cFor Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust\u201d (1 Pet. 3:18a). He suffered in the flesh but attained the resurrection, never to die again. His suffering purchased our blessing. He endured this \u201cthat He might bring us to God\u201d (1 Pet. 3:18b). What good does it do?\u2014why keep serving Christ?<\/em> These questions that seem to underlie Peter\u2019s words of encouragement are not abstract, philosophical exercises that no one ever faces. They are real questions which our hearts must confront. 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street Sunday: 9 a.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service.\u00a0\u00a0 Congregational Song Service<\/strong>: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes<\/p>\n\n\n\n evangelist\/editor:\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents 1)\u00a0 MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous” (Kyle Pope)——————– -1- MEDITATIONS: “The Eyes of the Lord […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2605,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603\/revisions\/2605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Synopsis:<\/strong> As Solomon wrestled with the meaning of life, modern-day disciples sometimes struggle with questions. Let us turn to God’s word for answers.
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nIntroduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Behavior of the Redeemed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Whom Does the Lord Hear?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Baptism Is Necessary for Salvation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since the Protestant Reformation, many have rejected the idea that baptism has anything to do with salvation or is necessary (in any way) for us to enjoy fellowship with God. This was likely due to false doctrines that arose before the Reformation that distorted the scriptural teaching on baptism. Men were falsely taught that baptism could be a sprinkling or pouring of water. In the New Testament, baptism is always an immersion symbolizing burial (Rom. 6:1-7). Then, just as now, men improperly baptized babies. The New Testament teaches baptism is for those capable of belief (Mark 16:16).
Over Christendom\u2019s long history, baptism has (in some cases) been forced upon people, regardless of whether or not they believed in Jesus. In the New Testament, baptism and faith are both necessary for one to \u201cput on Christ\u201d (Gal. 3:26-27). Peter leaves no doubt that baptism is essential for salvation. Not because it is some meritorious work that earns salvation, but because it is \u201can appeal to God for a good conscience\u2014through the resurrection of Jesus Christ\u201d (1 Pet. 3:21c, NASB).<\/p>\n\n\n\nSuffering for Doing Good<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Remember, our condition in this life is not a guarantee of God\u2019s approval. We may suffer, and actually \u201csuffer for righteousness\u2019 sake\u201d (1 Pet. 3:14b). Is that a curse or a punishment? No. When it happens, actually \u201cyou are blessed\u201d (1 Pet. 3:14c). Peter says, \u201cit is better\u201d when and if this should happen \u201cto suffer for doing good than for doing evil\u201d (1 Pet. 3:17). The criminal deserves his punishment. When the relationships of the ungodly are shattered, their behavior may well have merited the consequences brought upon their lives. However, when the Christian does good, and suffers for it, one day all will be vindicated. The persecutors of Christians will one day \u201cbe ashamed\u201d (1 Pet. 3:16c), while the Christian who lives with a \u201cgood conscience\u201d (1 Pet. 3:16a) can know that he will one day \u201csee good days\u201d (1 Pet. 3:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Suffering of Christ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Peter challenges the reader to recognize a different perspective on the flesh and spirit. Jesus was \u201cput to death in the flesh\u201d (1 Pet. 3:18c), but this ultimate demonstration of persecution could not rob Him of the ultimate blessing\u2014He was \u201cmade alive in the spirit\u201d (1 Pet. 3:18d, ASV). Christ\u2019s spirit (like our own spirit) lives beyond the death of the flesh.
Christ\u2019s Deity made it such that His spirit was active not only after His death, but before His life on earth. Earlier in the book, Peter told the brethren concerning the prophets that it was the \u201cSpirit of Christ who was in them\u201d (1 Pet. 1:11) who allowed the Old Testament prophets to declare those things that would come about.
It was this same \u201cspirit of Christ\u201d who Peter now explains was working through Noah when \u201cHe (i.e., the spirit of Christ) preached to the spirits in prison (i.e., those now held in Hades awaiting judgment)\u201d (1 Pet. 3:19). Jesus didn\u2019t preach in Hades\u2014there is no opportunity for repentance in that realm (cf. Luke 16:19-31). Jesus preached through Noah \u201cin the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared\u201d (1 Pet. 3:20b) to the disobedient rebels before the flood.
What does that show us about suffering and the flesh versus the spirit?<\/em> Jesus\u2019s spirit was alive before and after His suffering. He saved His people \u201cthrough water\u201d before His life and suffering on earth. Likewise, He saves us \u201cthrough water\u201d after His life and suffering on earth. This can demonstrate to those who experience hardship in the flesh that it is more important to look at our spiritual condition than the condition of our flesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReady to Give an Answer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Peter challenges the Christians to whom his first epistle was written to \u201csanctify the Lord God in your hearts\u201d (1 Pet. 3:15a). He calls them to prepare so that they may \u201calways be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you\u201d (1 Pet. 3:15b). Some, instead of \u201cdefense,\u201d translate this \u201canswer\u201d (KJV, ASV, NIV). We need to be able to answer religious error. We need to be prepared to explain why we have \u201chope,\u201d despite life\u2019s conditions. Yet, if we genuinely sanctify God in our hearts, our preparation to give an answer may not just involve questions posed by others, but even the questions that we face within. This preparation can help us through persecution\u2014it can help us hold onto \u201cthe hope that is in you with meekness and fear\u201d (1 Pet. 3:15b).
\u2014 Via Truth Magazine,<\/em> Volume 65, No. 1, January 2021
https:\/\/truthmagazine.com\/kindle\/2021\/2021-01-jan\/00_TM-TOC.htm
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong>\u00a0in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/strong>
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>(This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but <\/strong><\/strong>with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)
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