Be Hopefull (1 Peter 5:10-14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

6/2/2012 10:56:37 AM

My Worship Time                                                                     Focus:  Be Hopeful

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                      Reference:  1Peter 5:10-14

            Message of the verses:  The title of Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on 1Peter is “Be Hopeful,” and so that is what he has entitled the last main point found in 1Peter.  We will also look at several sub-points as we attempt to finish the book today.  I mentioned earlier that I began my study of 1Peter on 11/24/2003, but for some reason, reasons known only to God, I did not finish it or have lost the commentaries from my computer files, and so it was because that our Pastor is preaching through the book of 1Peter that I desired to finish my commentaries on it.  I can surely say that it has been a blessing from God to do this.

            In finishing this letter Peter again looks at being hopeful because he knows that God is always in control, even when we have doubts and fears that He is not, He still is.  Peter will give several reasons for having hope and having a hopeful attitude.  “10 ¶  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11  To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12  Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him),I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13  She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. 14  Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.”  (NASB-95)

            “10 ¶  In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11  All power to him forever! Amen. 12  I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 13  Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14  Greet each other with Christian love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.”  (NLT)

            We have God’s Grace.  The grace of God is most important to those who have accepter Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Ephesians 2:8-9 shows us that we have been saved by grace through faith and it also shows us that this is a gift from God that was given to us by God.  1Peter 1:10 says something similar:  “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries.”  When we look at 1Peter 1:2 we will find out that God called us before we called on Him, and this to was grace:  “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”  Notice that all persons of the trinity are evolved in the salvation process.  Now let’s look at another aspect of God’s grace:  “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”  We have tasted the graciousness of God (1Peter 2:3 (AV).  “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  In 1Peter 4, Peter speaks of spiritual gifts and in verse ten he states they come about by the manifold grace of God.

            Now there are times when we think that we need more grace because of situations that we are going through.  Let us remember that grace is God giving us something that we do not deserve, and something that we can never earn.  If we go back a couple of books to the book of Hebrews we will learn that “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  There are days when we need more of God’s grace and this passage from Hebrews 4:16 shows us that God will give us the grace that we need to get through the situations that He leads us into. Now let’s look at James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Why he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  There are two more verses on grace that I want to look at:  “12  Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him),I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”  This is part of our text from today’s SD, 1Peter 5:12.  “1 ¶  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2 also shows us along with 1Peter 5:12 that we must stand in that grace.”

            We know we are going to glory.  This also comes from 1Peter 5:10 where Peter writes that “He has called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus.”  Dr. Wiersbe writes “This is the wonderful inheritance into which we were born (1Peter 1:4).  Whatever begins with God’s grace will always lead to God’s glory (Psalm 84:11)”:  “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  If we depend on God’s grace when we suffer, that suffering will result in glory (Peter 4:13-16).  The road may be difficult, but it leads to glory, and that is all that really counts.”

            Our present suffering is only for a while.  This is also found in verse ten.  When I think about this suffering being only for a little while I have to think about the Lord Jesus Christ and the example that He has set for us.  We know from Philippians 2:5-11 that Jesus emptied Himself in order to come to earth to become a man that He might do the will of His Father in order to provide salvation for the lost.  There is a song that we used to sing that speaks of this and I want to place it in this Spiritual Diary at this point: 

“My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,

And myrrh their texture fills;

Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine

With joy my being thrills. Refrain:

Out of the ivory palaces,

Into a world of woe,

Only His great eternal love

Made my Savior go.

His life had also its sorrows sore,

For aloes had a part;

And when I think of the cross He bore,

My eyes with teardrops start.

His garments, too, were in cassia dipped,

With healing in a touch;

In paths of sin had my feet e’er slipped—

He’s saved me from its clutch.

In garments glorious He will come,

To open wide the door;

And I shall enter my heav’nly home,

To dwell forevermore.

            I think that this song says much about what Jesus Christ did for me in coming from heaven, leaving the ivory palace, to come into this world of woe in order to take my place on the cross of Calvary, taking my sin upon Himself and then giving me His righteousness to that I may someday enter the ivory place where He is again.  His example to me is that His trials brought glory and so when I go through trials that God has ordained me to go through then there will be glory later on as Peter writes. 

            We know that our trials are building Christian character.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “The Greek word translated ‘make you perfect’ means ‘to equip, to adjust, to fit together.’  It is translated ‘mending nets’ in Matthew 4:21.  God has several tools which He uses to equip His people for life and service, and suffering is one of them.  The Word of God is another tool (2Timothy 3:16-17, where thoroughly furnished means ‘fully equipped’).  He also uses the fellowship and ministry of the church (Eph 4:11-16).  Our Savior in heaven is perfecting His children so that they will do His will and His work (Heb. 13:20-21).” 

            We will next look at three words that Peter uses to describe the kind of character God wants all of His children to have.

            Established:  This word is found at the end of verse ten and it means “to fix firmly, to set fast.”  When trials and temptations come we must be firmly in our stand for Jesus Christ.  How is this to happen, how are we to be established so we do not move when troubles come?  11 ¶  Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12  and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13  so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”  (1Thes. 3:11-13)  Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near.”  (James 5:8 AKJV)  Dr. Wiersbe writes  “The believer who is established will not be moved by persecution, or led away by false doctrine (2Peter 3:17)

            Strengthen:  This word is also found in verse ten and it means just that: “God’s strength given to us to meet the demands of life.” 

            Settle:  We see this word translated “a firm foundation” in the ESV.  Hebrews 1:10 says “And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.”  (ESV)  When Jesus spoke of the house built upon a rock we see the same usage of the word there (Matthew 7:24-27).  Dr. Wiersbe writes, “A believer who is equipped by God will ‘continue in faith grounded and settled’ (Col. 1:23).  He will not be ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine’ (Eph. 4:14).  When unbelievers go through sufferings they loose hope, but we as believers are to be hopeful when we go through trials:  “2 ¶  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  (James 1:2-3)  “3  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  (Romans 3:3-5)

            Dr. Wiersbe writes near the end of his commentary on 1Peter these words, “Paul always ended his letters with a benediction of grace.  Peter closed this epistle with a benediction of peace.  He opened the letter with a greeting of peace (1Peter 1:2), so the entire epistle points to ‘God’s peace’ from beginning to end. What a wonderful way to end a letter that announced the coming of a fiery trial!”

            “Peter has given to us a precious letter that encourages us to hope in the Lord no matter how trying the times may be.  Down through the centuries, the church has experienced various fiery trials, and yet Satan has not been able to destroy it.  The church today is facing a fiery trial, and we must be prepared.

            “But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us—BE HOPEFUL!  The glory is soon to come!”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I see more and more attacks upon the Church in the U.S. and around the world it makes me think that the Lord Jesus is ready to come and take His bride out of the world to be with Him in heaven.  I believe we are on the doorstep of what the Bible calls the Tribulation Period.  I have never been a date setter, and never will be, but I am not the only one who believes we are close to the end of the world as we know it now.  If this is not true I am to continue to be faithful to the Lord who called me unto His salvation.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Abide “Remain” in the Vine in order to do what God has called me to do for His honor and glory.

6/2/2012 12:34:41 PM

             

           

Be Watchful (1 Peter 5:8-9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

6/1/2012 9:59:08 AM

My Worship Time                                                                     Focus:  Be Watchful

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                      Reference:  1Peter 5:8-9

            Message of the verses:  We will continue looking at 1Peter in Today’s Spiritual Diary, looking at verses eight and nine of chapter five which is very near the end of 1Peter.  Dr. Wiersbe entitles this section “Be Watchful” as he is famous for using the word “Be,” as he uses this word in all of his Bible Commentaries.  “Be Hopeful” is the title of his work on 1Peter and will be the subject tomorrows Spiritual Diary as I attempt to finish this book.

            Be Watchful:  In yesterday’s SD we looked at the word cares which is in verse seven of chapter five.  We said that the word “cares” is from the AV, but in the NASB it is translated “anxieties.”  Why do we have anxieties?  Well for one reason we have an enemy who has many different names, but Satan and Devil are the most prominent of his names.  The word Satan means “adversary” and the word “Devil” means “the accuser.”  We know from the first book of the Bible that Satan is a deceiver, for he deceived Eve in the garden.  “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”  (2Cor. 11:3)  We will learn in the verses that we study today that Satan can be a roaring lion.  It is in 1Peter 4:1 & 14 that Peter spoke to those whom he was writing to about attacks coming on them in slanderous ways, so we see the accuser side of Satan.  In the near future the recipients of this letter would see the fiery trials of the evil one.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “Peter gave them several practical instructions to help them get victory over their adversary.”

            Before going into these instructions given by Peter I want to say that there are times when we as believers have a hard time determining which enemy is being used to tempt or attack us.  We have three enemies, the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and although we know that they have been defeated at the cross they still have power.  Kind of like a chicken whose head has been cut off but doesn’t realize he is dead and still walks around.  Sorry that is the best I can do to try and make understanding of a difficult point.  It was many years ago that I read a series of books on the activities of Satan and as I struggled with a certain temptation and sometimes sin in my life I called the author on the phone to discuss coming to see him.  He told me that the enemy that attacking me was the flesh, and not the devil.  Satan can use our flesh as a “beach head” to bring attacks against us.  Dr. Wiersbe has written a book about Satan that may be helpful.  “The Strategy of Satan” “How to Detect and Defeat Him:” This is the title and sub-title of his book which is a rather short paperback book of less than 160 pages.  Charles Stanley has also written a book about Satan “When the Enemy Strikes.”  Both are helpful books.  My point in writing this paragraph is to make sure that we as believers know our enemies and to realize that they are defeated foes.  My advice is to follow what Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-18, putting on your spiritual armor.

            Respect him—he is dangerous:  “8 ¶  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

            “8 ¶  Be self-controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always about, prowling like a lion roaring for its prey. 9  Resist him, standing firm in your faith, remembering that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other parts of the world.”  (Philips)

            For almost 35 years I worked at a very large foundry, one of the largest ones in the world.  If you have never been around molten metal you won’t know how dangerous it is.  We melted an average of 3000 tons of cast iron every day.  Molten iron and water when mixed can cause a huge explosion and I have seen and heard these explosions from time to time.  One of my jobs there was to begin the process of melting the iron in what is called a cupola.  It was very dangerous and I never began the process without prayer.  The point in all of this is that I have to respect the iron, for it could harm you or kill you in a moment when you let your guard down.  Satan is like that and although I believe that according to Psalm 139 God numbers our days we are still told to be on guard against the wiles of the evil one and so respect is something we have to have.

            Satan is a destroyer (“Re 9:11  They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.”)  Abaddon and Apollyon mean “destruction.”  “9  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11  "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”  (Rev. 12:9-11)  Satan is a deceiver and an accuser according to these verses. 1 ¶  Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2  The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’”  Zech. 3:1-3)

            1Peter 5:8 tells us to be “sober,” we are to be in our right minds.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “A part of soberness includes not blaming everything on the devil.  Some people see a demon behind every bush and blame Satan for their headaches, flat tires, and high rent.  While it is true that Satan can inflict physical pain and sickness (Luke 13:16; and the Book of Job), we have no biblical authority for casting out ‘demons of headache’ or ‘demons of backache.’  One lady phoned me long distance to inform me that Satan had caused her to shrink seven and a half inches.  While I have great respect for the wiles and powers of the devil, I still feel we must get our information about him from the Bible and not from our own interpretation of experiences.”  This is what I wanted to say, but I am glad that Dr. Wiersbe said it, for he said it better.

            Recognize him—he is a great pretender (John 8:44; 2Cor. 11:13-15):  “44  "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  (John 8:44)

            “13  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”  (2Cor. 11:13-15) 

            John 8:44 is one verse that I just love to read, and the reason that I love to read it is because Jesus shows power and strength to these Pharisees, and has no problem telling them the truth.  I suppose it is fair to say that Jesus was a bit angry with them because of their leading many astray with their false teaching.  John 8:44 takes place in time right after the last SD that was done from Mark 6, for Jesus had just feed the 5000 and then after that these Pharisees came to Him arguing about Moses giving manna to those Jews in the wilderness.

            Satan is a counterfeiter; he tries to do what God does but always fails.  In the tribulation period, which is the last seven years of history before the physical return of Jesus Christ we see an unholy trinity, Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet.  This is done to counterfeit the real Trinity.  We see in the passage from 2Cor. that Satan has men in churches who are not believers.  We see in the parable of the wheat and the Tares (Darnel) (A plant that looks like wheat until it does not produce any fruit), that Satan seeks to plant a counterfeit.  Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43 is where the parable is found. 

            When a person works in a bank they learn everything there is to know about what the bills look like so that they can spot a counterfeit bill.  As believers in Jesus Christ we are to learn about the truth of God’s Word so we can spot something that is not true, something that is counterfeit.  I have named my blog “2Timothy 2:15,”  “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  I suppose that it could have been named 2Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  They go together very well.

            Resist him:  I have already mentioned Ephesians 6:10-18 as a way to resist the Devil by putting on our Spiritual Armour.  When studying this I have learned that this is written in a tense of the Greek verb that means we only have to do this one time.  Since we all are forgetful I believe that it is good to do this often to remind ourselves about what these pieces of armour are.

            The word stand is used at different times in the Ephesian passage and Dr. Wiersbe says that unless we stand we cannot withstand.  Of all the things that protect us when using the Spiritual Armor there are only two offensive weapons, the Word of God and prayer: “The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”  This is a short sword, not the long one and what we do with this is like what Jesus did when He resisted the Devil in Matthew chapter four, for Jesus resisted the Devil using the Word of God as He quoted God’s Word at each attack from the book of Deuteronomy.  Since He is our example we can do the same if we know the Word of God and hide it in our hearts.

            Dr. Wiersbe writes:  “A word of caution here:  never discuss things with Satan or his associates.  Eve made this mistake, and we all know the sad consequences.  Also, never try to fight Satan in your own way.”  “Never get the idea that you are the only one going through these battles, because ‘your brethren that are in the world’ are facing the same trials.  We must pray for one another and encourage each other in the Lord.  And we must remember that our personal victories will help others, just as their victories will help us.”

            If Peter would have followed the things that he writes about here he would not have fallen to the ploys of Satan the night that Jesus was crucified.

            Dr. Wiersbe finishes his commentary with these helpful words, “Before we can stand before Satan, we must bow before God.  Peter resisted the Lord and ended up submitting to Satan.”  (He is speaking of the night of Jesus was crucified). 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Continue to study and put into practice the things that I have learned from the Scriptures so that I can be effective through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God against the wiles of the evil one.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I want to remember to “abide or remain” in the Vine so that I can be used of the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.

6/1/2012 11:53:09 AM

           

Be Humble (1 Peter 5:5-7)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

5/31/2012 8:51:02 AM

My Worship Time                                                                     Focus:  Be Humble

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                      Reference:  1Peter 5:5-7

            Message of the verses:  My Spiritual Diaries have taken a new course for a little bit as I study some passages in the NT.  My desire is to finish studying the book of 1Peter which I began sometime in 2003, but did not finish my study.  I seemed to need a break from the book of Psalms as I have been studying it since December of 2011. 

            In Dr. Warren Wiersbe commentary on First Peter, which he entitles “Be Hopeful” he writes the following from the twelfth chapter, which he entitles “From Grace to Glory, “ Peter knew that a ‘fiery trial’ was about to occur, and he wanted the entire church family to be prepared. As he closed his letter, Peter gave the church three important admonitions to obey if they were to glorify God in this difficult experience.”

            Be Humble (1Peter 5:5-7):  “5 ¶ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

“5 ¶  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  (ESV)

I wrote in yesterday’s SD about a crisis that I was and to some degree am still facing, and for reasons only known to the Lord, and I suppose that His providence has a lot to do with it, this portion of Scripture seems to follow well with what I wrote about in yesterday’s SD.  I can say that I am thankful for the Lord guiding me to this passage on this day.  I have been mentioning in my “Steps of Faith for Today” that my desire is to remain or abide in the Vine, and when I do this the Lord has promised to bring into my life what He desires that will help me grow and bring glory to the Lord.

When we look back at earlier verses in 1Peter we will see that Peter writes about submission, being submissive to government authorities in 1Peter 2:13-17, and then he writes about slaves being submissive to their masters in 1Peter 2:18-25.  Since we live in a world where there are not a lot of slaves this passage can surely apply to workers being submissive to their bosses.  Peter writes about wives being submissive to their husbands in 1Peter 3:1-7, and now he writes about younger people being submissive to their elders and actually writes about all believers be submissive to God and to each other.  I know that this can be scary stuff to be submissive to others, but I believe that there is a wonderful example in the trinity.  Was not the Lord Jesus Christ submissive to His Father in coming to earth to purchase those who would believe by paying for their sins?  Was not the Holy Spirit submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ in being such a wonderful part of all who believe in Jesus Christ by bringing them into the Church?  When we study the trinity we realize that it is a difficult subject to wrap our arms around, for we worship One God in three persons.  It is something we have to take by faith.  However we know that the Three Persons who make up the trinity are all God and One is not more God than the other even though there is submission involved in the trinity.

Now just because a believer is older in age does not mean that he is more mature in the Lord.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “Too often there is a generation war in the church, with the older people resisting change, and the younger people resisting the older people!”  I know that this statement is true for I found it necessary to leave a church after being there for over 32 years and the reason that I felt it necessary to leave was for reasons that Dr. Wiersbe stated. 

What is the solution to this difference of opinions between the younger believers and the older generation?  The solution is twofold and begins with having all believers both young and old being submissive to each other and the second thing is that all should be submissive to God.  Humility is the answer and when we look at the example of Jesus Christ laying aside His outer garments to wash the feet of His disciples we get a picture of what true humility is.  When we read Philippians 2:5-11 we see what true humility is:  “5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (ESV)  Dr. Wiersbe writes “Humility is not demeaning ourselves and thinking poorly of ourselves.  It is simply not thinking of ourselves at all!” I have also heard that a good definition of humility is “power under control.” When we look at the humility of Jesus Christ from the passage in Philippians we can surely see that.

How can we truly be submissive to other?  First we have to be submissive to God.  Peter along with James in James 4:6 quotes Proverbs 3:34 in order to defend his point.  God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to those who are humble.  We don’t see the word “grace” in the OT too often.  In the NASB95 version the word “grace” is found only eight times, and in the AV it is found 37 times.  Dr. Wiersbe writes “It takes grace to submit to another believer, but God can give that grace if we humble ourselves before Him.”

What is the antidote to pride? It is grace, and we receive that grace when we yield ourselves to the Lord.  We will see an evidence of that grace in us when we yield to others, something in and of ourselves is a difficult thing to do. 

I want to go to a verse that helps me in circumstances like we are discussing from this passage and that is Colossians 2:6, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,.”  Now let us look at Ephesians 2:8-9 which tells us how we were saved and then we can apply those verses to Colossians 2:6 to see how were to walk:  “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.”   Paul is saying that our salvation is a gift of God given to us by God so that we have nothing to boast about.  God gives us the faith in order for us to believe the grace is a gift from God.  How then are we to live the Christian life?  We live it by grace through faith.  Grace is God giving us something we can never earn and we don’t deserve, but God gives it to us.  Dr. Wiersbe writes that “submission is an act of faith.  We are trusting God to direct in our lives and to work out His purposes in His time.”  We see a connection with submission, grace and faith.  Humanly speaking it is a great risk to be submissive to others, but this is where it takes faith to obey the Lord.  We have examples other than Jesus that are found in the Scriptures to give us encouragement.  Moses is a good example for God led him into the wilderness and he was submissive to the Lord for 40 years before He used Moses to led Israel out of Egypt.  Joseph was submissive to the Lord for over 13 years as He taught Joseph how to rule in Egypt.  David ran from Saul for ten years, hiding in caves and writing many psalms before the Lord placed him on the throne of Israel.  They all were submissive to the Lord as the Lord humbled them before lifting them up.  “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”  (1Peter 5:6)

Dr. Wiersbe writes “One of the benefits of this kind of relationship with God is the privilege of letting Him take care of our burdens Unless we meet the conditions laid down in 1Peter 5:5-6, we cannot claim the wonderful promise of 1Peter 5:7.  The word translated ‘care’ (AV) means anxiety, the state of being pulled apart.’  When circumstances are difficult, it is easy for us to be anxious and worried; but if we are, we will miss God’s blessing and become poor witness to the lost.  We need His inward peace if we are going to triumph in the fiery trial and being glory to His name.”

This next statement from Dr. Wiersbe is very important to remember:  “According to 1Peter 5:7, we must once and for all give all of our cares—past, present, and future—to the Lord.  We must not hand them to Him piecemeal, keeping those cares that we think we can handle ourselves.  If we keep ‘the little cares’ for ourselves, they will become big problems!  Each time a new burden arises, we must by faith remind the Lord (and ourselves) that we have already turned it over to Him.” 

At the end of his commentary on this section Dr. Wiersbe explains how God shows His love and care for us when we give our cares to Him.  “(1) He gives us the courage to face our cares honestly and not run away (Isa. 41:10. (2) He gives us the wisdom to understand the situation (James 1:5). (3) He gives us the strength to do what we must do (Phil. 4:13). And (4) He gives us the faith to trust Him to do the rest (Psalm 37:5).  Some people give God their burdens and expect Him to do everything!  It is important that we let Him work in us as well as work for us so that we will be prepared when the answer comes, ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee’ Psalm s55:22).”

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I wish once and for all give all of my burdens, past, present, and future to the Lord, and pray that the Spirit of God will remind me when I want to take care of them by myself.  I believe that if I remember that Jesus is the Vine and I am the branch and I submit to Him in order for Him to produce fruit through me then I will remember to cast my cares on Him.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

5/31/2012 11:01:47 AM