Examine Your Life (1 Peter 4:15-18)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

4/2/2012 3:34:51 PM

            As I was looking at my Spiritual Diaries for the books of first and second Peter I noticed that some of them were missing and so I have decided to finish the book of First Peter and then fill in what is missing in Second Peter.  This is the first of those Spiritual Diaries.

            Let me begin with stating that Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on 1Peter is entitled “Be Hopeful, and in the introduction to the tenth chapter in his commentary, which he entitles “Facts About Furnaces and it covers 1Peter 4:12-19, he states the following in the introduction:  “Peter gave the believers four instructions to follow in the light of the coming ‘fiery trial.”  The first trial was covered in previous SD’s which was entitled “Expect suffering” and then the next main point was entitled “Rejoice in Suffering.”  This SD will begin with the next main point from Dr. Wiersbe’s outline which is entitled “Examine Your Life.”

            Examine Your Life (1Peter 4:15-18):  “15  Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16  but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17  For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18  AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?”

            We must remember that Dr. Wiersbe entitled this chapter “Facts about Furnaces,” and being an old foundry man for 35 years I do know a bit about furnaces too, so that will make it easier for me to understand this section better.  I remember that Dr. Wiersbe has said that when we are in a fiery trial that it is God who controls the thermostat.  We will see in this section that it talks about judgment and Peter writes that judgment begins with the household of God.  In the 9^th chapter of the book of Ezekiel we can see an OT version of judgment beginning with the household of God.  It is a short chapter of only ten verses that helps us understand better what Peter is writing about.

            Steve Green is a wonderful singer of Christian music and one of his songs is entitled “The Refiners Fire and at this time I wish to put those lyrics on this SD.

There burns a fire with sacred heat

 White hot with holy flame

 And all who dare pass through its blaze

 Will not emerge the same

 Some as bronze, and some as silver

 Some as gold, then with great skill

 All are hammered by their sufferings

 On the anvil of His will

Chorus:

 The Refiner's fire

 Has now become my souls desire

 Purged and cleansed and purified

 That the Lord be glorified

 He is consuming my soul

 Refining me, making me whole

 No matter what I may lose

 I choose the Refiner's fire

I'm learning now to trust His touch

 To crave the fire's embrace

 For though my past with sin was etched

 His mercies did erase

 Each time His purging cleanses deeper

 I'm not sure that I'll survive

 Yet the strength in growing weaker

 Keeps my hungry soul alive

Chorus

            Why am I suffering? (v. 15): 15 “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;”  We can look at some of the more prolific saints in the Word of God and see that they suffered because of disobedience to the Word of God.  Moses did not enter the Promised Land because of disobedience.  David lost four sons because of disobedience.  Peter was miserable because He denied the Lord.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “Let’s be sure we are suffering because we are Christians and not because we are criminals.”

            Am I ashamed, or glorifying Christ?  (v. 16):  “16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”  Not being ashamed is something that is negative, while glorifying God is a positive.  Hebrews 11:16 states, “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”  “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren (Hebrews 2:11).”  Hebrews 12:2 states, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

            Dr. Wiersbe writes “It was the determination not to be ashamed that encouraged Paul when he went to Rome (Rom. 1:16), when he suffered in Rome (Phil. 1:20-21), and when he faced martyrdom in Rome (2Tim. 1:12).”

            Am I seeking to win the Lost (vv. 17-18):  “17  For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18  AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?” 

            I think that it is wonderful how Dr. Wiersbe brings in witnessing from these two verses, for when one first reads them witnessing does not seem to be what Peter is talking about.  Dr. Wiersbe writes that “Instead of being concerned only about ourselves, we need to be concerned about the lost sinners around us.  Our present ‘fiery trial’ is nothing compared with the ‘flaming fire’ that shall punish the lost when Jesus returns in judgment.”  Now let’s take a look at what will happen when the Lord returns from the writing of the Apostle Paul as he writes to those in Thessalonica in 2Thes. 1:4-10, “4  therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

    “5 ¶  This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7  and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8  dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9  These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10  when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-for our testimony to you was believed.”

            John MacArthur writes the following from his Study Bible on verse 18:  “Quoted from the LXX of Proverbs 11:31, and reinforces the point that if the justified sinner is saved only with great difficulty, suffering pain, and loss—what will be the end of the ungodly?”  The end of the ungodly is described in the verses in 2Thes.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  It was just last night in our church service that the guest Pastor was preaching on verses in Hebrews 12:1-3 and then in 1Peter 4.  One of the things that stuck into my mind from his message was not being ashamed of Christ for in Hebrews 12:2 it tells us that Jesus despised the shame and as he was talking about that section of the verse it was as if I had not seen that before, but I know that I have.  He went on to talk about as believers; we are not to despise the shame when doing something for the Lord.  I took out of that, that we should not be ashamed in doing the work of God.

            Today while visiting my sick mom in the hospital, as I was leaving I saw an older man with his head bowed and his mouth moving in what looked like he was praying.  He was sitting outside a room with the curtain closed and my first instinct was to stop and put my arm around him and as if I could join him in prayer.  I did not do this and it bothered me all of the way home.  I did pray for him and the situation that he was in, but I was too ashamed or frightened to stop and I know I should have.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Not to be ashamed of Jesus Christ or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continue to learn contentment in a world that seems to be falling apart.

4/2/2012 4:49:32 PM

 

The Shekineh Glory (1 Peter 4:14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

                                                                                                Date:  02-11-04

My Worship Time                                          Focus: The Shekineh Glory

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Peter 4:14

            Message of the verse:  “14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  (NASB95)  “14 Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.”  “14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”  (NKJV)

            The NASB does not include the last portion of this verse, but the NKJV does include it and that is why I included it.  Peter is saying in this verse that if we suffer for the cause of Christ then the glory of God will rest upon us.  The Shekinah glory was the glory of the Lord that filled the Tabernacle and then the Jewish Temple.  This glory fell upon the mountain where Moses spoke to God, and it is this glory that will be given to the believers who suffer for the cause of Christ.  Stephen saw this glory when he was being stoned for the cause of Christ. 

            When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ he brings glory to the name of Jesus Christ, but the one who is doing the persecution is blaspheming the name of the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today: This section assures me that God is in control of all things, and that He does not need my help, but my obedience to what He is leading me to do.  I know that there are times when I get in the way of God and what He is doing, and this shows my lack of patience.  Just as God will give us a glimpse of His Glory when we suffer for Him, and will do it in the exact time needed, so God will always give us what we need each day of our lives.

The Word of God has been challenging to my heart as I read it this morning.

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust in the Lord with all my heart and don’t lean upon my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my path.

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 2:8,9

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

           

Rejoice in Sufferings (1 Peter 4:13)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

                                                                                                Date:  02-10-04

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  Rejoice in sufferings

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Peter 4:13

            Message of the verse:  “13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”  (NASB95)  “13 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.”  (NLT)

            The truth of this verse is hard for believers to understand, but it is impossible for those who are not believers to understand.  Why should believers rejoice in their sufferings?  Peter gives a number of reasons, and also we can see Jesus Christ as our example who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.

            First our suffering means fellowship with Christ.  “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”  “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”  (Phil. 1:29, & 3:10)  (Acts 5:41)  “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  Dr. Wiersbe says that “not every believer grows to the point where God can trust him with this kind of experience, so we ought to rejoice when the privilege comes to us.”

            Believers can take courage in the fact that God is with us as we go through these trials.  Isaiah 41:10, & 42:2 give us comfort:  “10 ¶  ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”  “2  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”

            The second thing we can see is that our suffering means glory in the future.  Peter has written about sufferings and glory throughout this letter.  The world believes that the absence of suffering means glory, but a Christian’s outlook is different.  As believers go through trials today we can be assured they will be turned into glory when Christ returns.  1Peter 1:7,8 “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”

            God does not replace suffering with glory, but He will transform suffering into glory, and Jesus gave the illustration of a woman giving birth in John 16:20-22 to show this truth.  “20  "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.  21  "Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.  22  "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The Bible says that we as believers are to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ, and as I have studied this passage I am beginning to see that one of the ways that God will do this is through the fellowship of sufferings with Christ.  The sufferings of Jesus Christ were turned into joy, and this is something that is difficult to understand, but the Bible says is true.  There is a fellowship that is in suffering.  I am not saying that I have gone through great sufferings for the cause of Christ, however He has seen fit to send a couple of trials my way, and thought them I am beginning to understand more about the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings as written about in Philippians 3:10.

The Word of God was refreshing to my soul as I read it and studied it this morning.

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to trust the Lord completely to bring about His will for Grace Baptist Church, and those who attend there.

Trials will Come (1 Peter 4:12)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

                                                                                                Date 02-09-04

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  Trails will come

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Peter 4:12

            Message of the verse:  “12 ¶ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;”  (NASB95)  “12 ¶ Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”  (NLT)

            Trials will come upon believers because we are in a war with the unbelieving world.  People can get away with being “religious,” but not with being righteous.  When I use the word religious, I am speaking of coming to God on your own terms, or the terms of a false teaching, and not the true way of coming to God through Jesus Christ alone.  Cain was a religious man, but Able was a righteous man, and that is why Cain killed him.

            Peter writes in this verse that fiery trials will come upon those who are righteous, not if they come.  He also says that they will come for our testings, so that means that God is in control of these testings, and if we submit to Him in these trials He will work them out for our good and His glory. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  These trials that come upon my family and me, have all been due to sin in believers lives, for they have not been due to being persecuted because of being righteous, like what Peter is writing about here.  With that said, they are still trials that God has brought into my life, and my families to make us better.

The Word of God was challenging to my heart as I read it this morning.

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord with the events that took place yesterday.  To thank Him and praise Him for answering our prayers, and to trust Him to use us to do the work of Grace Baptist Church that He will guide us to do for His glory.