December 25, 2012
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some Christians just don't get it
1 Peter 4
New International Version (NIV)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Comments (12)
This is powerful scripture and not for the faint of heart.
Merry Christmas?
@ANVRSADDAY - Merry Christmas
@ANVRSADDAY -
2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. - How can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? Do we sin so that grace may abound? God forbid! - Paul
Yeah, some of this is difficult. And yet, God expects us to do this because Jesus did it. Christ is our example. He is the one we must follow.
@wordwarrior39 - Thank you. I had one of the best ones in a long time.
@wordwarrior39 - True, He is our Leader.
Balance this passage from Peter against 1 John 2:1 (A verse that I have written about a few times in the past)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
Stop there for a moment. John states his purpose. He desires that we do not sin. This is the reason he is writing this epistle. But this is not the end of the verse.
But ....
Stop there for a moment. The word "But" is a conjunctive negative. It actually negates what precedes it. I love you, but... means, well, I don't really love you. There's something preventing me from doing so...
But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
So... let put the full picture together here. John says "Don't Sin." --- BUT --- If we do sin, there's no reason to despair because Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense.
These are courtroom terms here, and many translations actually say "Jesus stands as our advocate with the Father." Jesus intercedes for us.
So, while you say "God expects us to do this because Jesus did it. Christ is our example. He is the one we must follow." --- there is a balance in that Father remembers that we are but dust, that our flesh is weak and that our hearts are still prone to sin. No clearer picture of this could be given than Peter.... the very one you quote.... denying Christ three times and yet being forgiven clearly and abundantly for each failure.
You quote Paul in Romans 6:1-2. Let us not forget that Romans 7 follows directly after.
Why do I do what I don't want to do, when I know what I should do, but instead do that which I know is wrong. (Abbreviating the whole section down to one sentence.)
If we aim for perfection... if we believe we must be perfect... then we are seeking to live by the law, not grace. That was the whole point of the sermon of the mount. Not that this is Kingdom living "NOW" --- but rather to expose the folly of trying to abide by the law. We do aim for perfection, yes, but we remember this: It is God who works IN you to will and to act according to His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, but also reminiscent of Ephesians 2:9-10 and Romans 12:1-2)
I love this verse:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
John isn't writing to non-Believers --- this verse is directed towards Christians! God knows our frailties. He knows our weaknesses. and He faithfully forgives us as we come to him humbly seeking mercy.... AFTER we believe.
Sinless living is a myth, a deadly and dangerous trap to get us to live by the law and not by grace. "BUT" --- living our lives unto Christ, who by HIS OWN sinless life fulfilled the law we could never keep, we find Grace and mercy and peace. We find access to the Father who sees our weaknesses and forgives.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-22
It is possible to live a sinless life. Satan would prefer we give up. God will save us from our sin. He will not save us in our sin.
Be perfect as the Father is perfect. - Jesus Christ
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. We are called to do the same. His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And in heaven, there is no sin.
One question: how old were you when Jesus died?
Please don't ignore my question, it has a legitimate point.
You weren't born when Christ died is the only answer you can give. If you weren't born, then ALL.... A-L-L.... your sins were in the future. All of them. And Christ took EVERY ONE OF THEM upon himself on the cross when He died. Not just the ones up to the day of your salvation ---- but every single one of them, from the beginning of your life to the end. That is why Philippians 1:6 is such a joy and comfort.
He who BEGAN the work of salvation in you WILL BE FAITHFUL to see it through to completion in the day of Christ.
God started by saving me. God will continue by keeping me saved until the day that Christ returns.
Philippians 2:12-13 follows after in the very next chapter and makes nearly the same point.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION with fear and trembling, FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU to will and to act according to his good purpose.
God.... works in... you... to will and to act according to His good purpose. Beautiful Mercy! Amazing Grace! God helps me because he knows my frailties. This is exactly why Paul doesn't say God abandons us when we are sometimes faithless. Read 2nd Timothy 2:11-13. If we disown him, yes, he will disown us.... but if we are faithless, he remains faithful... why? Because we have been adopted into his family!!! HE CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF. He gloriously made us one with Him in Christ and he will not abandon us. AMEN!
I say, dear brother, stop acting in foolish pride that you can live sinlessly and bear humbly that God forgives you even in your weaknesses, just as He bore witness to our brother Paul. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Peter.... the same one you quote here.... sinned again later in life. Review Galatians 2 and read Paul's account of how he had to rebuke brother Peter for His sin. That didn't stop God from loving him... it just meant that Peter needed to remember the grace that falls fresh and new when we need it... and he needed it just at that point.
The truly beautiful thing about salvation --- it covers all our Sins because God will not abandon us. Ask David. He was counted as a man after God's own heart, and yet he sinned by taking multiple wives. He sinned by adultery. He sinned by plotting murder. He sinned by counting the fighting men. ----- AND THROUGH ALL THIS.... God loved David and showed himself faithful to his repentence, time and time again.
Lots of words and scripture, but the simple words uttered to those He healed and saved from stoning are forgotten: Go and sin no more.
If Jesus tells a person to "go and sin no more," then it is possible to live a life free from sin. With God all things are possible.
If it is not possible to live a life without sin, then God is a liar.
@wordwarrior39 - I just answered this in my newest two part post entitled The Pronoun "We" and the Myth of Sinless perfection and secondly Jesus Speaks to "Sinless Perfection" both of which deal with your post here in light of the full bearing of Scripture.
John spoke to your comment directly when he said this:
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:10)
By saying you are without sin... you call God a liar yourself. Simple as that.
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