June 1
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A MODEL FOR DYING TO SIN AND LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY
21 For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, 22 HE WHO COMMITTED NO sin, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT found IN HIS MOUTH; 23 [and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:21-25
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In this letter, Peter shows to all believers that it is possible to live a righteous life and learn to die to our flesh. He reminds us of the purpose we are called as followers of Jesus. All those who believe in Jesus are expected to be patient, suffer and endure. Of course, the world system cannot fathom this because the prince of this world, Satan, wants us to avoid suffering so we will be unable to endure and grow our faith. Many unbelievers do not know that there is a way to die to our selfish nature and live righteous lives.
Peter explains that the only way we can see the value of giving up our flesh and live holy lives is to look up to the model that we can emulate. This model is someone who though he became human, never committed any sin. There is no trace of deceit from his mouth, because he only utters what his Father says. Can you imagine what it would be like to have nothing foul come out of your mouth? That would be ideal, but James talk about how our tongue is a world of evil in his book in chapter 3, verse 6. Could it be possible to be sinless like Jesus? It isn’t unless we follow our model. He sampled to us the possibility of being holy and avoid sin. He gave us His Holy Spirit to make this likely to happen to everyone who will receive him and serve Him. Many are invited to receive him, but only a few will respond and be able to choose the holy life that can only be granted to those whom he chose before the beginning of time.
Peter tells us that when Jesus died on the cross, he took our sins with him so it can be dead and be possible for us to live a life that chooses the holy and obedient lives. The wounds he bore healed us from sin. What a marvelous God we have who gave us a Shepherd, a guardian of our souls in his Son Jesus Christ! It is through our faith that we can be able to follow the life He wants us to live because of his sacrifice on the cross.
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REFLECTION
• Why isn’t it possible to be righteous and holy on our own?
Monthly Archives: June 2021
WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT ILMA’S VLOG
May 31
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WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. – 1 Peter 2:18-20
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In these following passages, Peter builds a case on the importance of being subject to your masters in all respects. He clearly identifies the condition for submission. You also submit to those who are harsh. The world would question this concept of submission to authorities. We have been so brainwashed to think that it is our rights to speak our minds and disobey those who do not deserve to be honored and respected. In God’s economy, authority and submission is key in living a life of peace and order. This is why we need to obey because God has put all these people in authority in position and allowed them to be leaders. When we rebel against leaders or authority figures, we are also defying God himself as Paul says in Romans 13:1-2.
In verse 19, Peter stresses the importance of withstanding grief when being treated unjustly: It brings the person favor because God honors it when we suffer silently. It also grows our faith and character. James mentions in his letter about the importance of suffering in the development of our faith and character in James 1:2-3. He says that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.
In verse 20, he brings about a very important teaching about suffering patiently for doing what is right. It brings favor from God. We all know that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we can’t do it without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The bible dictionary defines patience as the quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is attributed to both God and man and is closely related to mercy and compassion. In other words, we cannot be able to be patient without knowing God’s character. God is love and only in love can we restrain ourselves from walking in the flesh. We can only have the fruit of patience if we are in Christ. We can never in our own strength produce such fruit. Only the Holy Spirit can.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think doing right and suffering for it is not an easy thing to do?
SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE ILMA’S VLOG
May 30
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SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. – 1 Peter 2:13-17
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In this letter, Peter emphasizes the importance of submission to every human institution. He wants all believers to set an example of obedience to authority, whether they are political, social, spiritual or civil leaders. Paul also reiterates the importance of submitting to authority in Romans 13:1-2 when he said in this letter to the believers: “Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.”
It is sad to watch many people, including some believers who always have something to say negative about authorities or who defiantly disobey the laws set out by these rulers or leaders. Maybe if believers will strictly follow this command stated both by Peter and Paul, we could put a stop to those who just want to rebel and to criticize authority or state their opinion about what they assume needs to be done.
In verse 15, Peter explains why we need to submit to authority. This reminds me of Old Testament verse in Isaiah 53:7 that says Like a sheep being led to the slaughter or a lamb that is silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth”. The prophecy was speaking of Jesus who is abused, maltreated, ridiculed and maligned and tortured, yet he was silent like a lamb and didn’t say a word. He didn’t fight for his right and flaunt his position as God, He just submitted to the will of his Father in heaven, so he can let his will be done. He trusted in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Jesus never questioned why he had to do it. Instead, he submitted and followed like a meek lamb. When you do the right thing and obey the law, it is a powerful force that can silence the ignorant and foolish people. He also warns them to use their freedom to cover evil and to act as free people. He reminds them to respect others and ensure that they fear God and honor their leaders.
To do what is righteous is the greatest proclamation of the gospel.
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REFLECTION
• Why is fighting for your rights and criticizing authority not a godly thing to do?