The Apostle Peter wrote this first epistle to people who were facing a great deal of hardship and persecution from those in authority and from unbelievers in general.
How do you respond to persecution and mistreatment when it comes? Are you shocked and angered by it? Or do you respond in godly ways? What was Peter’s advice to God’s persecuted people in the first century and could it be just as important for us today?
Are you getting the most benefit from your hearing, reading, and study of God’s Word? What does Matthew Henry mean when he talks about “profiting from the Bible”? And what might prevent us from doing so?
Also, what did Peter have to say to suffering Christians in the first century that flies in the face of our “don’t-step-on-my-toes-I-have-rights” thinking?
Like everyone else in this fallen world, believers suffer from physical sickness and discouragement. What should we do during those times? James offers us some encouragement.
God does not want us ignorant of the process of sin. He shows us how, like a fisherman, the devil offers us the bait and how it connects with desires in our own hearts. God has clearly explained this process of sin so we can avoid being ensnared. But would you recognize it, if it was happening to you? Or could you be nibbling on some temptation designed just for you? And could he be about to reel you in?
The Apostle Paul says that our speech should be edifying. Would people say that word describes how you speak to others? In today’s post, we’ll look at the word “edifying,” what James and Paul had to say about the words of our mouths, and how important our speech is to God.
We’ll also look at an Old Testament picture of the new birth and the importance of humility to our walks with God.
Many people claim to believe in God. But merely believing “in” God is not enough to save us. James said, “even the demons believe—and tremble”? We are saved when we believe in the gospel. So, what’s the difference?
Also, Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for the nation of Israel and to warn them of coming judgment. We, too, are watchmen called to warn our generation of their need to repent and believe the gospel.
Most people would agree that the current state of our nation’s government is one of a broken system. But there’s little agreement about how to fix it. People on one side think we need to tear down the whole thing. Others say we need to get back to what they believe are the basics of our constitutional foundations.
Though there may be huge theological and political differences, there are people on both sides of the issue who sincerely believe they are right. But as Christians, is there actually a more radical plan that we should be praying for and working toward?
How should we view church authority? Should we submit to our church leaders? What is our responsibility? And how does God use these truths “to watch out for our souls”?
We’ll also look at the danger of pride in our own achievements and how we should view helping the poor, including when we should not help.
Where is God when life is hard? Does He allow tests and trials in our lives because He is angry? Do they mean He doesn’t love us? And if our trials are the result of God’s discipline, how should we respond?
Also, what is the one character quality that will enable us to be all Christ wants us to be, the one without which we cannot come to God or love Him the way we should? It’s the same quality required to love and serve others, lead in a godly way, communicate biblically, resolve conflict, deal with the sins of others, and resist sin ourselves. So, what is it?
What does it take to live the Christian life? Is there a key, something so essential that we can’t please God without it? In fact, there is. It’s required for salvation and for our ongoing trust in God. That key is faith. So, if faith is so important, where does it come from and how can we strengthen it when it’s weak? The answer is simpler than you think.
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