Published on
December 31, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
but let him glorify God
We glorify God when we use His provisions. Suppose a rich relative leaves you millions of dollars. He puts the money in a bank account for you and hands you a checkbook. You have not bothered to balance the account. You have not bothered to look at the account. Mature believers know what is in their spiritual account book. They know how to apply it to their life. When we use God’s provision, we glorify Him for what He has given. We glorify Him by spending His vast resources (verses 11, 14).
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
in this matter
“In this matter” is literally “in the sphere of his name.” Note that the word “name” is not in the New King James Version. The New American Standard Bible translates this phrase “but in that name let him glorify God.” God gives all His provisions through Jesus and what He represents.
Principle:
We glorify God by using His provisions for us in Christ.
Application:
We glorify God in connection with the name of Christ. The idea of “name” is revelation. As we reveal who Christ is and recognize the reality of who He is and what He did, we glorify God. We glorify God the best when we recognize the person and work of Christ in our lives.
Published on
December 30, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
let him not be ashamed
It is an honor to suffer for our testimony for Christ.
“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).
“Ashamed” is the feeling of fear that prevents us from doing something (2 Corinthians 10:8; Philippians 1:20; 1 John 2:28). This term is used of being ashamed before the Lord Jesus at His Judgment Seat. The Judgment Seat is where the Lord will evaluate the lives of Christians.
We can translate “Let him not be ashamed” as “Don’t be embarrassed.” This is a challenge toward poise. If we suffer there is no reason to fall apart or throw a tantrum. Some Christians live in panic palace. They are constantly upset and full of self-pity.
In this verse there is no shame if we suffer in a Christian manner rather than as a lawbreaker (1 Peter 4:15).
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).
Principle:
A strong Christian develops poise in the face of suffering.
Application:
Does shame keep you from sharing your faith? If so, you have lost your poise as a Christian. Strong Christians share their faith. We can fly in the face of fear because our identity is wrapped up in Christ. Our grip of our position in Him is so powerful that nothing and no one intimidates us.
Published on
December 29, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
Yet if anyone suffers
The “if” recognizes in the Greek those who suffer as Christians. God designs all suffering for the Christian for blessing. If we suffer for our sin God designs that for blessing because we are blessed when we are restored to fellowship. The purpose of discipline of the Christian is to bring him back to blessing (Hebrews 12:6).
God uniquely blesses us for suffering in time because there will be no suffering in eternity. God cannot show His unique love for us in trial there because there will be no trial there. He can only show blessing in suffering in time.
as a Christian
The “as” puts the Christian in strong contrast to the four terms used to designate criminals in the previous verse. We can suffer for our sin or we can suffer representing the name of Christ.
In the entire Bible the name “Christian” occurs only here and Acts 11:26 and 26:28. Literally, the name “Christian” means “Christ ones.” We are those who belong to Christ.
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian‘” (Acts 26:28). Agrippa used this name as a term of reproach. Today “Christian” is a rather meaningless term. We call the United States or Canada “Christian” nations.
Principle:
Christians are those who belong to Christ.
Application:
Are you a Christian or just a Baptist, Presbyterian or Catholic? A Christian is not one who has been confirmed or baptized or joined a church. This is a popular misconception today. Christians are people who have invited Jesus Christ into the personal experience of their heart and life. They do this by trusting in the finished work of Christ in suffering for their sin. When they do this He changes their viewpoint on life. He gives them different desires.
If I were to ask you “Are you a Christian?” what would you say? Yes or no? You might say, “I don’t know.” Suppose I said, “Are you a citizen of the United States, yes or no?” You know for sure whether you are or not. If I say, “Do you belong to Christ?” and you answer “Well, I don’t know. I suppose I do.” That is a good sign that you are not a Christian. A genuine Christian knows that he is a Christian (1 John 5:11-13). Why not make sure today? Go to our URL site on how to become a Christian: http://www.crusade.org/fourlaws/
Published on
December 28, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.“
or as a busybody in other people’s matters
Peter says, “Do nothing that would give your enemies an excuse to attack your Christianity, even to the extent of meddling in other people’s business.” Some people love to meddle in others’ affairs. This person is a self-appointed overseer of other people’s business. These people love to run the lives of other people. They interfere in business not their own.
We have more busybodies in church than murders. We have more busybodies than thieves. We have more busybodies than evildoers. Do you make it a practice to stick your nose in other people’s business? Some people tell others how to raise their children when they have brats of their own.
The Bible speaks to the issue of meddling in the affairs of others in a number of passages:
“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Evidently we need to take lessons on how to be quiet. It takes some study to learn how to mind our own business.
“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
Principle:
It is unchristian to meddle in the affairs of other people.
Application:
Too much idle time introduces the problem of being a busybody.
“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13).
If tattlers and busybodies find no one to listen, they would be forced out of business. If we receive stolen goods we are as guilty as the thief. There is something in the human spirit that loves the juicy morsel of gossip.
Some things are better left unsaid even though it may be true and accurate. You may feel that you are simply reporting the facts but what good is this doing? It would not serve any purpose to pass it on. It should die with you but you are dying to tell someone. Like money, it burns a hole in your pocket. You must tell someone. You call someone and say you have a “prayer request.” We call this “spiritual gossip.” “I don’t want you to think I am gossiping but I would like you to pray about this. Mr. and Mrs. So and So are having marriage trouble.” There are some things we pray about privately.
Are you a nosy person? Are you a person who cannot mind his own business (Romans 14:4, 10)? Christians do not have the right to run other people’s lives. If we do, we play God. We try to lead the lives of other people. Some Christians bully other Christians.
The nosey person always starts out with attitude sins. This person is usually bitter, antagonistic, vindictive, implacable, and operates with a guilt complex. He is so unhappy with himself that he tries to run the lives of other people. He wants to super impose his view of the world on other people. He wants to pour them into his pseudo mold. He does this by maligning, nit-picking and criticizing. He basic system of operation is retaliation and bullying.
Published on
December 27, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
an evildoer
An “evildoer” is one who customarily engages in doing what is bad. In this passage, evildoing may refer to civil disobedience. This is a wrongdoer in relation to society.
No Christian is immune from evil. The capacity for evil is still resident in the sin nature. When we become Christians we do not lose the capacity to sin. The apparatus for sin is still resident.
“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
If we are going to be a good lover, we need to be a good hater of evil.
“You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 97:10).
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).
Principle:
No Christian should partake in civil disobedience unless he is called upon to deny his faith.
Application:
An evildoer ignores the rights of other people. An evildoer is a person who participates in civil disobedience. This person orients to mob psychology. Mobs destroy property, lives and rights of individuals. No Christian should develop mob thinking.
God expects us to develop a hatred for civil disobedience. Anarchy destroys society. Even bad government is better than no government. At least the bad laws give some protection for law-abiding people.
Some people are spiritual anarchists. They are a law unto themselves.
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
Published on
December 26, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
a thief
No Christian is exempt from the possibility of becoming a thief. Those that think that they are beyond the reach of gross sin need to read 1 Corinthians 10:12–”Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Principle:
The potential for thievery is in each of us.
Application:
The potential for stealing resides within each of us. Satan will test us on this by little things. Someone gives you too much money in return. You rationalize, “Well, it is their mistake. They should be more competent.” Suppose the situation was turned around, would you want them to return the money? “Oh sure, it’s my money.”
God wants us to respect the property of others. Some Christians might rationalize that “Since someone stole my goods, I can steal theirs.” Talking about a Christian stealing is like talking about an honest thief.
The Christian businessman that does not operate with cutthroat means may cost him business. If a Christian operates on principle, it could cost him his job. He might pay by losing a promotion.
The Lord Jesus spoils us for the stealing business. Our children can tell if we cut corners. They know if we cheat. Where do they learn to cheat on exams? Where do they learn to do shady things? Most learn it at home.
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).
Some of us have never learned to respect the property of others.
Published on
December 25, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
But let none of you suffer
The subject of Christian suffering is the theme of First Peter. We can suffer for good or evil. We can suffer as a thief or as someone with a vibrant testimony.
as a murderer
Peter lists four sins whereby Christians are vulnerable in relation to persecution. The first three deal with violation of laws of the land. Peter now throws out a caution–suffering is no justification for anarchy.
First, we cannot justify murder even though people may have killed our loved one. Not committing murder was the sixth commandment (Exodus 20:13). Brutal treatment is no excuse for being brutal in return. We cannot play God with someone else’s life. The potential for murder lies within every Christian. We have the potential of committing any heinous crime.
Principle:
The potential for any sin lies within any Christian.
Application:
Murder is the worst sin that we can imagine. Peter obviously saw the possibility that some Christians might go to this extent. The best people, if they are driven far enough, might commit murder. The best of people need to be warned against the worst of sins.
Published on
December 24, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“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.”
On their part
“Their part” refers to those who reproach Christians for sharing their faith.
He is blasphemed
“Blaspheme” means to slander. People rail at Christians who take a stand for the Lord Jesus. They speak evil of the Lord. They wonder why you do not hold to their values anymore. They cannot figure out why you do not still run with them (1 Peter 4:4; 2:12).
but on your part He is glorified
How do Christians relate to Christ? We glorify Him. We make much of Jesus. When we glorify God we fulfill God’s purpose of creation for us. Our purpose is to glorify the Lord Jesus. We do not have to be brilliant or gifted to glorify Him, we just have to be clean. God’s purpose in suffering is to glorify Christ.
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42).
Principle:
God’s purpose in suffering is to glorify Christ.
Application:
People take Jesus’ name in vain everywhere. Have you ever heard anyone taking Buddah’s name in vain? Did you ever hear anyone say, “For Buddah’s sake,” “For Confucius’ sake,” “For Mohammed’s sake?”
The Christian holds the name of Jesus in high regard. He portrays Him as the most exalted person in the universe.
Published on
December 23, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“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.”
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
There are many titles for the Holy Spirit in the Bible but this is the only place where he is called “the Spirit of glory.” In other places the New Testament calls him the “Spirit of truth,” the “Spirit of life,” the “Spirit of Christ,” the “Spirit of God,” the “Spirit of the Father,” the “Spirit of adoption.” “The Spirit of glory and of God” refers to the Holy Spirit’s divine presence with us. He bestows glory on us. This glory is the reflected glory of God. The idea is that God is glorified in those who suffer for his name (John 12:23; 13:31).
“Rests upon you” refers to his indwelling of Christians. God blesses us because the Holy Spirit is with us. He is not only with us but he “rests upon” us. This means the Holy Spirit works with us in these situations.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–”the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16).
Jesus uses “rests upon” in the phrase “I will give you rest.”
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Principle:
Christians can rest in the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit when they share their faith.
Application:
We do not normally think in terms of the Holy Spirit resting on us. The Holy Spirit has many ministries to the Christian. He guides, teaches, convicts, and protects us. This is the reason Christians are blessed when slander comes their way. The Spirit of God is there to fortify and strengthen us.
The Lord takes it upon himself to give us rest. In this passage, the Spirit of glory rests upon and causes us to cope with the venom and hate that people cast upon us. This is not a rest from work, but the harmonious working of all faculties of the Holy Spirit upon us.
Published on
December 22, 1997 in
1 Peter.
Read Introduction to 1 Peter
“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.”
blessed are you
When insult because of our testimony comes our way, God gives us a special blessing. God gives us a special beatitude when we face insult for our faith.
“Blessed” means a well ordered soul (1 Peter 3:14; Matthew 5:11). Suffering for Christ is no penalty, it is a privilege.
“Blessed” does not mean happy. Happiness depends on circumstances and circumstances depend on chance. People who depend on chance happiness as the basis for their orientation do not operate on God’s principles. These people are shallow and unstable. A blessed person is someone whose state of soul is neither produced nor affected by outside circumstances.
Principle:
A well-ordered soul comes from God.
Application:
A well ordered soul is a distinct quality of God and cannot be acquired apart from him. We cannot have what God has apart from God himself. God is independent of circumstances. We can be independent of circumstances.
A well-ordered person needs nothing. He is independent of circumstances. He is not dependent on luck, but upon divine resources within.
Blessedness is the state whereby one enjoys God. It is a state that belongs uniquely and intrinsically to God (1 Timothy 1:11). No one can make God blessed. So this is a condition of soul whereby the soul derives its satisfaction from the source of God.
