1 Peter 3
Peter compared believers to sheep.
And sheep are gentle animals.
He then called for Christians to practice gentleness in several areas of life.
Gentleness In the home.
Christian wives with unsaved husbands should seek to win them to the Lord with true spiritual beauty, and not with artificial glamour or nagging.
Husbands should live as though their wives were priceless porcelain vases and treat them with gentle love.
Gentleness in the church.
Imagine having to remind Christians to show one another love and courtesy!
But as James chapter 4 shows us – not every local assembly is a place of peace; not every local church is a place of safety and refuge.
Gentleness in the world.
Anybody can suffer for doing wrong, but Christians must learn to suffer for doing what's right.
Of course, Jesus is the example for us to follow.
We witness not by making noise and fighting back, but by showing meekness and fear.
A gentle witness can make a big difference in a violent world.
1 Peter 4
Do not be controlled by the past.
People who have been born again through faith in Christ, should not allow the old life to control them.
The past has been buried and they are new creatures in Christ.
Furthermore, life is too short to waste it on Godless living, especially when you realise that one day we will all stand before God.
Be serious about the present no matter how difficult life may be.
There is a job to do and we must be faithful.
Take time to pray.
Show love to the saints.
Use your gifts and talents to serve others.
The Lord who gave you the ability will also give you the strength to use it for His glory.
Just ask Him for energy from on high.
Be prepared for the future.
A fiery trial was about to come to the church.
Peter told his readers to expect it and use it as an opportunity to witness for Christ, and in all things seek to glorify God.
The trial came under the Roman emperor Nero, who accused the Christians of burning Rome.
The Church today faces persecution – are you prepared?
No comments:
Post a Comment