The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Submission)

 

 

 

 

Seven Critical Challenges for Living in This World (A Study of I Peter 2): R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

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?

 

Seven Critical Challenges for Living in This World (A Study of I Peter 2): Free Slaves?

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 sixth —

This one seems a bit contradictory, doesn’t it? We are to live “as free people” but “as God’s slaves”! Someone has said that man’s first duty is not to find freedom, but a Master. How true. We’re gonna serve somebody, as the great theologian Bob Dylan once said.

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.

Today’s Challenge: How might you and I show our freedom in Christ today? How might we demonstrate that we are most free when we are serving our Lord God? Any thoughts?

 

Seven Critical Challenges for Living in This World (A Study of I Peter 2): Submitting to Government?

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?

 

Wisdom for Wives! (A Study of I Peter 3:1-6)

“in the same way”- In Chapter 2 Paul has been giving clear instructions to slaves about how they should conduct themselves. Wives are not slaves, but need godly advice (like the rest of us) on living out the Christian life.

I. The Challenge to Submit (v. 1)

Notice: “submit yourselves to your own husbands . . .” Though our world rejects the term “submit” and strategically often leaves it out of wedding ceremonies, God’s Word is clear. If the husband is loving his wife as Christ loved the Church, how could the wife not willingly submit to his loving leadership?

II. The Potential Outcome of Submitting (v. 1)

There is the possibility that the wife’s godly submission and behavior may win over her unbelieving husband. Without words.

III. The Impact of Personal Beauty (vv. 2-4)

“the purity and reverence of your lives” (v. 2)

inward versus outward beauty (vv. 3-4)

“the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (v. 4)

Note: God’s evaluation (“of great worth”)

IV. The Godly Examples of History (vv. 5-6)

The example of Sarah (v. 6)

Doing what is right versus giving way to fear!

God’s instructions for a Christ-honoring marriage is being attacked in every detail by our culture. And what is the result? Over 50% of marriages end in divorce, many couples live together without the public faithfulness promise of a marriage ceremony, and children wind up being shuttled back and forth for visitation weekends. This is not God’s plan. And so much depends on the godly life of a Christ-following wife!

 

Ten Habits That Have Helped Me in My Christian Life (Habit #8)

My paternal grandmother had a nasty habit. She chewed tobacco and had a real spittoon! We grandkids would go to hug her and she would turn her head and have to spit into her spittoon. Disgusting habit.

I’m sure I have some disgusting habits too! If we are asking the question, what holy habits should I incorporate into my life?, we could also ask, what disgusting habits should be replaced by those holy habits?

Let’s review briefly. If I’m spending serious time reading the Word of God, that is replacing the habit of not paying attention to what He has given in the Scriptures. If I am praying as I ought, that replaces the disgusting habit of trusting myself to meet my own needs. If I am seeking to develop a continual thankfulness for all the Lord is doing in my life, that certainly replaces any sense of self-accomplishment and ungodly independence. If I am pursuing a healthy habit of solitude, that means I’m replacing the habit of simply being by myself as an introvert. If I am intentionally looking for opportunities to share Jesus with others, that replaces the habit of putting my own interests before His. If I am trying to be a better friend to others, that means I am working hard at being a friend of sinners like Jesus was. That replaces a long-standing practice by Christians of only being with the redeemed, Beloved! If I am trying to be quick to forgive, that certainly replaces my natural tendency to keep score of offenses done against me!

An eight habit that I’m working on a spirit of submission. What I mean is best illustrated by the picture of my two hands, palms up, lifted to heaven. This expresses my willingness to do whatever the Lord calls me to do.

This habit differs greatly from the WHATEVER of our culture that doesn’t care what happens or has no interest in doing the will of God. When a teen sneers, “Whatever!”, we older adults cringe at the apparent lack of concern for what is important. My WHATEVER ought to flow from a heart that says, “Lord, I’m yours and I will do what You want me to do. I’ll go where you want me to go. You’re in charge. What’s my assignment today?” (to be continued)

 

Jonah: Belief Contradicted by Behavior (Part 18)

A SUMMARY OF SOME LESSONS FROM JONAH CHAPTER ONE:  Romans 15 says, ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”  What are we learning from this minor prophet?

God calls all believers to participate in the Great Commission, to get the gospel out about Jesus Christ.  Am I, are you, running away from that assignment?

How much do we rely on our own resources (he bought his own ticket away from God’s will) to live life, instead of trusting Him to provide what we need?

Who are the innocent ones who have been hurt by my rebellion?  Who have I sacrificed on my altar of self-determination?

Where is my conscience not bothering me, keeping me awake (when it should)?

Am I aware that I can be quite orthodox in my words but very heterodox in my actions?  Is my belief more a matter of ethnic pride than humble trust in the living God?

Where is the place of genuine repentance in my life?  Or am I so stubborn that I would rather die than confess my sin and bow before my Lord?

Do I see the Lord as sovereign, even over my poor witness?  Am I careful not to rely on His sovereignty to overcome my disobedience?

Do I recognize the many things, circumstances, and people that God provides in my life to get His work done?

My prayer:  “Lord, this is an amazing book, almost a bit of an autobiography of my life!  Help me to submit, repent, and do what You have called me to do.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

 

 

The Believer and Government (Part 1 of 5)

Friends:

I’ve been studying Romans 13:1-7 in preparation for preaching this text tomorrow morning at our church.  Now “tomorrow morning,” when you read this, is not really “tomorrow morning” because I won’t post these reflections until a month or two from now.  Sooo — I’ll be able to tell you how my sermon went and maybe even upload the audio.

Here is the text in Romans 13 that I will be focusing on:

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13)

Can we talk?  I know you are as tired of the campaigning ads as I am.  It is easy to become cynical about politics in general and specific individuals in particular.  But let’s think about government and not politics for a few moments, shall we?

I see this passage breaking down into four sections:  I.  A Command to Obey (v. 1); II.  A Servant to Fear (vv. 2-4); III. A Freedom to Find (vv. 3-4); and IV. A Debt to Pay (vv. 5-7).  That’s my sermon outline.  Let’s think about —

I.  A Command to Obey (v. 1)

Paul makes it clear that everyone is to be “subject to” the governing authorities.  Why?  He says that governmental authority, human authority, is established by God.  Paul is not dealing with specific rulers, for there were some incredibly evil ones in Paul’s day.  He is talking about government in general.  God is a God of order — and He has ordained and established human government for the good of His creation.  Both anarchy and apathy are ruled out by this clear command.  Rebellion against God-established government as well as not caring about those in authority cannot be the Christian’s position.

This is not to say that believers are not to ever exercise their rights or to passively do everything that the government tells them to do.  The Apostle Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen in appealing to Caesar (Acts 25:11) and Peter and John classically stated in Acts 4 when they were commanded to no longer preach the gospel:  “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (v. 19).

But the normal response of the believer ought to be obedience, submission to the God-established authorities which He has put in place.  This verb “submit” is the same as used in Ephesians 5: “²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  ²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”  We also read of the Lord Jesus submitting Himself to the Father in I Corinthians 15:58. (to be continued)

One takeaway:  Are you submitting to the governing authorities God has placed over you?  One way to do that, I would suggest, is to pray for those who are in authority!