AN INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT – By JH FORESTER Strength Given By Encouragement- Part 2 Just what did Peter say by way of encouragement to his fellow Christians, so setting an example for us in encouraging one another ? He was well aware of the fact that the source of greatest strength to him was his God-given hope, so he wrote about that hope, knowing that it would do the most good for his Christian brothers and sisters if he could stir up greater appreciation for it on their part. He emphasized that theirs was a “lively hope,” something dependable, an expectation that would not lead to disappointment. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” This hope was a cause for great rejoicing and unspeakable joy among them. It was something of which the prophets had been moved by God’s spirit to speak; it was a matter into which even the angels desired to peer. But God had given it to Christian men and women. How grateful they should be! How this should strengthen and uphold them! (1 Pet. 1:3-5, 8-12) Even today , we find the greatest encouragement in fixing our mind on the promises of God, studying them in the Bible, meditating on them, discussing them with our Christian family and advocating them to others.— Prov. 2:21. So great is the strength imparted by this dependable hope that the Christian is able to rejoice and stand firm in the face of severe trials that test our faith. Thus Peter went on to say: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:6, 7) Paul, too, coupled the hope ahead with the matter of endurance when he said: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation.” And in Jesus’ case we find exemplified the remarkable strength that God-given hope imparts, as we read: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Those who closely consider the example of Christ do not get tired and give out; they do not quit.—Rom. 12:12; Heb. 12:2, 3; 1 Pet. 4:13, 14. There is vital work for every Christian to do. So through Peter’s first letter we are encouraged, yes, we are urged to ‘gird up the loins of your mind,’ and we are under obligation to offer like encouragement to one another. The work of Christ’s anointed body members is likened to that of the priests who served in Jerusalem’s temple, for they themselves “are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” They do not offer up animal sacrifices, but spiritual sacrifices, a “sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”(1 Pet. 1:13; 2:4-9; Heb. 13:15) We proclaim the loving purposes of God, who has called us out of the spiritual darkness of the world into the marvelous light of His truth. For such service spiritual strength is vital. Having the truth of God’s Word to light our path and to strengthen us, we do not share the world’s fears; we do not suffer agitation over its crises. We heed the command: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Pet. 3:14, 15) Because of the position we take, we are constantly called on to explain why we do not share the world’s concern and why we do not devote ourselves to the perpetuation of the institutions of the world, as others do. We have to explain why it is that we are no part of the world. In the eyes of the world, our position may seem to be morally wrong, so we must make a defense, not in irritation, but with a mild temper and deep respect. We make clear that we rest our hope in God, and that we must obey God as ruler rather than men. As persons dedicated to God, we point out, it would be wrong for us to seek friendship with the world, because this would make us enemies of God. It takes courage to maintain such a stand amid a hostile world.—1 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 15:19; Jas. 4:4. If we have joined the great “cloud of witnesses”, then we have learned they are a source of great encouragement to us and we follow them in fulfilling Jesus’ command: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:19, 20; Rev. 7:9, 10) This is a big task, an urgent one, and it calls for united effort. To this end Peter urges Christians to have “have fervent charity among yourselves” and to build one another up so as to “minister the same one to another.” They must work together. Even Jesus says: “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” What wonderful encouragement!—1 Pet. 4:8-11. In view of the corrupt condition of the world, Peter also found it necessary to give encouragement along other lines. It was not encouragement that took the form of commendation; nor was he speaking of matters that were designed to fill them with hope. Rather, this encouragement took the form of exhortation to avoid wrong conduct. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.” Counsel such as that is good for all of us. In view of the fact that we constantly rub elbows with a degraded world, it helps us to keep clearly in mind what is right and what is wrong. It protects us from adopting the world’s twisted thinking and strengthens our righteous hatred of ungodly practices. It helps us to keep clearly in mind what these “fleshly desires” are—not things to be sought after, but enemies that carry on a conflict against the soul, and which, if we let them, will insinuate themselves into our lives and result in the destruction of our life, our soul. We need encouragement such as that, and God provides it for His modern-day worshipers even as he did for the early Christians through the apostles.—1 Pet. 2:11, 12, 16; 4:3-5. In part 3 , we will discuss how slaves ( employees), marriages and those who lead the church were encouraged and how we today can gain encouragement from it. If you are in or visiting the Sacramento California area and would like to join our prayer and Bible study meetings please contact Pastor J for times and locations at: minister.forester@gmail or email us here on facebook. If you need prayer, have a Bible question, or would like to comment on any of the things that are posted, feel free to contact at the above email. The email is connected to the phone and will be received promptly. Jesus never said this journey would be easy, but, He makes it much easier. Come to Him!...God bless you!
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:20:51 +0000
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