Some of you are aware that I’ve been engaged in a daily Bible reading program with my friend Frank in New Jersey for a couple of years or so. We choose a book of the Bible and read the same chapter each day for a week — then move on to the next chapter after that. Our procedure is quite simple and is explained here.
Well, I’ve started a small group of four men who are doing this kind of daily Bible reading and we’ve worked our way through Philippians and I Timothy, and are now going through I Peter. We drop each other a short email on Sunday about something we’ve learned in our reading together.
In reading through I Peter 2, I believe there are seven critical challenges that Peter gives us that are particularly relevant for us right now in our world. Here’s the seventh —
This seventh critical challenge involves the believer’s behavior towards others. We are to show “proper respect” to everyone. Sometimes that’s quite difficult to do, isn’t it? Notice, however, that it is “proper” respect. We are not to favor others because of their status or wealth or power.
And Peter gets very specific in breaking down the category of those to whom we should show proper respect. We are to: (1) love the family of believers; (2) to fear God; and (3) to honor the emperor. Love, fear, honor. Those are high qualities for the follower of Jesus.
Today’s Challenge: We’ve covered some very important commands in our look at I Peter 2. As you think about these seven, which one stands out as the one you most need to work on?
Tags: authority, government, human authority, I Peter 2, leaders, politics, respect, submission
Some of you are aware that I’ve been engaged in a daily Bible reading program with my friend Frank in New Jersey for a couple of years or so. We choose a book of the Bible and read the same chapter each day for a week — then move on to the next chapter after that. Our procedure is quite simple and is explained here.
Well, I’ve started a small group of four men who are doing this kind of daily Bible reading and we’ve worked our way through Philippians and I Timothy, and are now going through I Peter. We drop each other a short email on Sunday about something we’ve learned in our reading together.
In reading through I Peter 2, I believe there are seven critical challenges that Peter gives us that are particularly relevant for us right now in our world. Here’s the fifth —
Submission is hard sometimes, isn’t it? Whether it’s to a spouse or to a duly-elected government (perhaps one for which we didn’t vote), putting ourselves under human authority can be challenging.
Note the reason we are to submit ourselves to human authority: it is for the Lord’s sake. How? Maybe the idea is that if we rebel against legitimate human authority, we are presenting Christianity as a religion of disobedience and strife, rather than as the honorable movement that it is.
Note the two aspects of human authority Peter mentions: the emperor (as the supreme authority) and governors. Note also why these authorities are sent by God: “to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” Punishment and commendation.
Today’s Challenge: How, specifically, can you submit to God-ordained human leadership? At the very least, you and I should be praying for those who are in authority over us. Are we doing that?
Tags: government, human authority, I Peter 2, leaders, politics, submission
Some of you are aware that I’ve been engaged in a daily Bible reading program with my friend Frank in New Jersey for a couple of years or so. We choose a book of the Bible and read the same chapter each day for a week — then move on to the next chapter after that. Our procedure is quite simple and is explained here.
Well, I’ve started a small group of four men who are doing this kind of daily Bible reading and we’ve worked our way through Philippians and I Timothy, and are now going through I Peter. We drop each other a short email on Sunday about something we’ve learned in our reading together.
In reading through I Peter 2, I believe there are seven critical challenges that Peter gives us that are particularly relevant for us right now in our world. Here’s the fourth —
How we believers live our lives is critical in our witness for Christ! It is not enough that we behave ourselves before the family of God. We live in a world watching us, accusing us, challenging us.
Nowhere in the Bible are followers of the Lord commanded to go live in caves and isolate themselves from the pagans of this world. We are to “live among the pagans” (v. 12). That is, our lives are to be visible and either commendable or condemnable by those who aren’t yet in the family of God. The reason we are to live such good lives is not primarily that they would be ashamed of their groundless slander of us believers, but that they would “glorify God on the day he visits us.” And only those who have trusted Christ can properly glorify God, right? The way we conduct ourselves in this world can directly affect others’ coming to know Christ.
Today’s Challenge: What are pagans saying about your life? Do they notice that your values are different, your choices are praiseworthy, your behavior is worth imitating? If not, why not?
Tags: behavior, godly living, I Peter 2, slander
Some of you are aware that I’ve been engaged in a daily Bible reading program with my friend Frank in New Jersey for a couple of years or so. We choose a book of the Bible and read the same chapter each day for a week — then move on to the next chapter after that. Our procedure is quite simple and is explained here.
Well, I’ve started a small group of four men who are doing this kind of daily Bible reading and we’ve worked our way through Philippians and I Timothy, and are now going through I Peter. We drop each other a short email on Sunday about something we’ve learned in our reading together.
In reading through I Peter 2, I believe there are seven critical challenges that Peter gives us that are particularly relevant for us right now in our world. Here’s the second —
The Christian life is not just getting rid of things, saying “no!” to sin. The Christian life is positive and educates us on what to pursue, long for, EAT! Here we are challenged at a level most (men, especially) appreciate — what we eat. We are to crave “pure spiritual milk.”
Your local grocery store understands a thing or two about craving. They are strategic in placing the right sweets just before the check-out counter. Impulse buying + cravings = profits! We believers are to crave — we are to long for that milk that helps us grow.
In fact, Peter gives us the reason for our craving — “that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” God wants us to grow. And spiritual babies need pure spiritual milk.
Peter also gives us the justification for our craving — “now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” God’s goodness ought to motivate us to crave what would be most beneficial to our becoming like Christ!
Today’s Challenge: When it comes to your spiritual diet, do you crave God’s pure spiritual milk? If not, why not? Are you satisfying your godly hunger with this world’s junk food?
Tags: craving, hunger, I Peter 2, spiritual milk
We can misuse our freedom in Christ to do and to cover-up EVIL! Really! The Christian world was shocked a while back to learn that a world-renown apologist for the Christian faith was using his freedom (and his organization’s finances) for his own sexual escapades. We underestimate our inclination to do evil to our peril.
You may have heard the story of the man who said he was going through a double crisis. “Really?” His friend said. “What do you mean?” “I’m going through both an identity crisis and an energy crisis.” “What?” “Yes, I don’t know who I am — and I am too tired to find out!”
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 
