A Plea to Pilgrims (2:11-12)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

A Plea To Pilgrims (2:11-12)

Having said that as Christians we are "a chosen generation"; "a royal priesthood"; "a holy nation"; God's "own special people"; Peter makes a heart-felt plea concerning our conduct before those in the world - 1 Pe 2:11-12 “Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” As we consider this "plea to pilgrims", remember that Peter is speaking by inspiration; in other words, it is actually GOD who is making this plea!

Before we examine the plea itself, let's notice some things mentioned in the passage that serve as the basis of the plea. You are "beloved". Beloved by whom? By Peter, of course - 1 Pe 2:12; also 1 Pe 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:”. By Paul, James, John, & Jude, all of whom used this same term of endearment. But most of all, we are beloved of God and Jesus! - Ro 1:7 “To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”; Co 3:12 “Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;”. It is out of such human and divine love that this plea is made.

You are "sojourners and pilgrims". You have not yet reached your heavenly home. As we will see later, failure to heed the plea will mean you will never reach it! In view of that real possibility, we find this plea made even in the form of "begging"!

You are engaged in warfare. A war in which "fleshly lusts" wage war against the "soul". The outcome of this "war" will determine whether or not we will reach our heavenly home.

You are being observed by others. Some of which who often speak evil of you (even as they did of Christ). But by heeding this plea, it is possible to cause those very ones who speak evil of you to glorify God in "the day of visitation". This "day of visitation" might refer to the Day of Judgment. In my opinion, it refers to the "day" when God's grace is shown through a presentation of the gospel to them - Lk 19:44 “and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” In either case, we have an opportunity to bring glory to God by the way we heed this plea.

In view of these four reasons, then, God through Peter is making a heart-felt plea. What is this plea? It contains two parts, which we shall now look at closely. First, the plea begs us to "abstain from fleshly lust". The word "abstain" means "to hold one's self constantly back". From what are we to abstain? "Fleshly lusts", some of which are defined by Paul in Ga 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Notice that they involve more than just "sexual" sins (such as fornication). They also include sins of the "emotions" (hatred, outbursts of wrath, jealousies, envy, etc.). Why must we "hold ourselves constantly back" from these things?According to Peter, they "wage war against the soul". According to Paul, they can keep us out of the kingdom of God! - see Ga 5:21. So if we want to succeed in our spiritual "pilgrimage" and reach our heavenly destination, we must heed this "plea to pilgrims"! How can one abstain from fleshly lusts? In his epistles, Paul explains how. Keep your mind on the things of the Spirit, and not on the things of the flesh - Ro 8:5-6 “For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:”. Grow in Christ, and don't provide opportunities for the fulfillment of fleshly lusts - Ro 13:13-14 “Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Should such opportunities arise, flee them (remember Joseph and Potiphar's wife?), and pursue after that which is good - 2 Ti 2:22 “But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

By following Paul's advice, we can win the "war" between the flesh and soul, and successfully complete our pilgrimage!

But abstaining from fleshly lusts is not the only thing expected of God's pilgrims. The plea also begs us to "have Honorable conduct". The word "honorable" ("honest", KJV) in the Greek is "kalos". It means that which is good, beautiful, harmonious, and lovely. In other words, our conduct is to be something beautiful and refreshing to behold. We can have conduct that is "honorable". If on the one hand, we abstain from "fleshly lusts", and on the other hand, we do "good works" ("good" is the same word in the Greek as "honorable"). We have seen what are "fleshly lusts", what "good works" can we do that are beautiful to behold? We can see to the needs of those who are poor, fatherless, widowed, sick, and otherwise afflicted - Ja 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

We can demonstrate love and hospitality to brethren, friends, neighbors, even strangers - He 13:1-3 “Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.”

We can react kindly to those who despise us, speak evil of us, and mistreat us - Lk 6:27-31 “But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” The effect of such conduct is that it will likely prompt others to glorify God! As Jesus taught us in Mt 5:16 “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Even those who at the present may speak against us as evildoers! - 1 Pe 2:12 “having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

By heeding this "plea to pilgrims" as found in 1 Pe 2:11-12, it is possible to accomplish several things at the same time. We can save ourselves. We can glorify God. We might even help save those who presently speak evil of us! As the "people of God" who have "obtained mercy" (1 Pe 2:10), can we do any less? Abstain, then, from those fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul!Conduct yourselves, then, in ways that are honorable and a thing of beauty for others to behold! -- In so doing, you will ensure the successful completion of your spiritual pilgrimage!

Speaking of the mercy of God, have you received the mercy that comes through the "washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit"? - cf. Ti 3:4-7

Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable to God 1 Peter 2:5

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable To God (2:5)

An important principle taught in the New Testament is that of "The Priesthood Of All Believers." It is true that under the Law of Moses there was a distinction made between priests and the common people. Even today, many religions professing to be "Christian" have developed a clergy-laity distinction. But the New Testament teaches otherwise - Re 1:5-6 “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”; 1 Pe 2:9 “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”. The fact is, in Christ we are ALL "clergy". I used to say that we had no clergy in the church, but in reality we have no "laity". Does this mean we are all free to use "clergy-parking"? I'll let you discuss that with the security guards at the hospitals!

As "a royal priesthood", our responsibilities are described in 1 Pe 2:5 “ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” "to offer up spiritual sacrifices". "sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ". My goal in this lesson is to make sure that we understand our duties as "a holy priesthood", and to encourage us to carry them out faithfully.

Let's take a closer look at the idea of "spiritual sacrifices" noting the types of sacrifices to be offered by Christians. We are to offer our bodies, as "living sacrifices" - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” A lifestyle characterized by sacrificial love - Ep 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.” Praise and thanksgiving, which we do in prayer and song - He 13:15 “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.”

Doing good and sharing with others - He 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”; Ph 4:15-18 “And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Even in the way we die for the Lord! - Ph 1:20 “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.”; 2:17 “Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:”; 2 Ti 4:6 “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.”

Let's examine the purpose of these sacrifices. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered for one of two reasons: for those OUT of fellowship with God, to restore them back to the Lord and for those IN fellowship with God, to express thanksgiving, praise, love and devotion. But in the New Testament only Jesus can provide the sacrifice needed to restore us back to God - He 10:11-18 “And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said, This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws on their heart, And upon their mind also will I write them; then saith he, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”Therefore, it should be clearly understood that our sacrifices are not to "remove sin" or in any other way to try to "earn our way" into heaven! But rather, to express thanksgiving and praise, love and devotion, for the goodness and mercy God has shown to us! Such is the nature of the "spiritual sacrifices" we offer to God. But as our text says, they must be "acceptable to God".

We can learn some valuable lessons from the Book of Malachi about what constitutes "acceptable sacrifices". It must be the best we have to offer - Mal 1:6-8 “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible. And when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts.” we despise the Name of God by offering "defiled food"(sacrifices). Would we render the same kind of service to our employers, etc.? If not, God would rather someone "shut the doors"or let someone else serve Him - Mal 1:9-11“And now, I pray you, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts. Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle fire on mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts.”

It must be offered with sincerity and zeal- Mal 1:12-13 “But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even its food, is contemptible. Ye say also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith Jehovah of hosts; and ye have brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye bring the offering: should I accept this at your hand? saith Jehovah.” of zeal is evidence of lack of sincerity! Lack of both results in offering "blemished sacrifices", which brings a curse from Him who deserves proper reverence - Mal 1:14-2:9“But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles. And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Jehovah of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and ye shall be taken away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant may be with Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared me, and stood in awe of my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts. But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have had respect of persons in the law”

How does this apply to our spiritual sacrifices like singing praises; like doing good to others? It must be offered in conjunction with righteous living - Mal 2:13-16 “And this again ye do: ye cover the altar of Jehovah with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, neither receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? And wherefore one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith Jehovah of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” The priests of Malachi's day had been quick to divorce their wives. Even Peter taught that our treatment of wives would have a bearing on the effectiveness of our prayers - 1 Pe 3:7 “Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.” This can be applied to many other things as well - Ps 41:1-3 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil. Jehovah will preserve him, and keep him alive, And he shall be blessed upon the earth; And deliver not thou him unto the will of his enemies. Jehovah will support him upon the couch of languishing: Thou makest all his bed in his sickness.”

Some in Malachi's day did not think it of any value to serve the Lord faithfully - Mal 3:13-15 “Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.” But others heeded his words, and it is touching to read what was said about them - Mal 3:16-18 “Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Shall we be among those who serve God? May we never forget that in the sight of God we are to be "a royal priesthood", called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ"!

May God help us to truly be one of His "jewels"!

Jesus: Cornerstone, or Stumblingstone

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Jesus: Cornerstone, Or Stumblingstone? (2:4-10)

When the infant Jesus was being presented to the Lord at the temple, an interesting statement was made concerning Him by Simeon: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel..." (Lk 2:34). In other words, Jesus was destined to have different effects on different people.... To some, He would be the cause of their rising. For others, He would be their down fall. In 1 Peter 2:4-10, the apostle Peter expands upon this same theme... To some people, Jesus serves as a "cornerstone". To others, He is a "stumblingstone".

What's the difference? Well to those who believe, Jesus is a "cornerstone". He is a living stone according to verse 4, “unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,”. Which was rejected by men. As stated by John in Jn 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.” Instead, they crucified Him. And yet, He was chosen by God, considered to be precious as foretold in Ps 118:22, God has taken that which was rejected by men and made it the "cornerstone".

The cornerstone of what? The "cornerstone" of a great spiritual house or temple, (5-6) “ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.” Upon which we are being built. The same thought or illustration is used by the apostle Paul - 1 Co 3:9-11 “For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon.”, 16-17 “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.”; Ep 2:19-22 “So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;”

As this spiritual house built upon Christ, we fulfill certain responsibilities. We serve as a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God, for example:
1) Our bodies - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
2) Our praise - He 13:15 “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.”
3) Our doing good and sharing - He 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
4) Even our deaths - 2 Ti 4:6-8 “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.”

We therefore serve as God's special people (9-10) “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
We are a great spiritual house or temple with a special task of proclaiming the praises of God for by His grace we have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light; we who were not a people, are now the people of God; we have obtained mercy!

Jesus is also the rock upon which we as individuals build our lives - MT 7:24-27 “Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof” By following His teachings, we are able to establish our lives on solid ground and this enables us to withstand the "storms" of life. So in more ways than one, Jesus is truly a "cornerstone" to those who believe in Him and follow Him.

But what about those who do not believe in Jesus, who do not make Him the "cornerstone" of their lives? To those who do not believe, Jesus is a "stumblingstone". There is no other alternative, (7-8). “For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Either Jesus is the cornerstone upon which we are being built as stones in His temple (the church). Upon which we are building our lives by following His teaching. Or He will be the "stumblingstone" over which we will meet our doom!

That Jesus would be a stumblingstone to some was foretold by Isaiah, who Peter quotes - Isa 8:13-15 “Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble thereon, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” We saw that Simeon also foresaw the same thing when Jesus was presented in the temple as a newborn - Lk 2:34 “and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;” Even Jesus saw Himself as this stumblingstone - Mt 21:42-44 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.”

Sadly, Jesus became a stumblingstone to Israel. Ro 9:30-33 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.”; 1 Co 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;”. Jesus was a stumbling block to many of the Jews because they thought that they could attain righteousness by keeping the Law. They could not accept the need for a suffering Messiah to atone for their sins!

In a similar way, Jesus is a stmblingstone for many people today. Pride prevents them from accepting Jesus on His terms! They think that they can please God and go to heaven on the basis of their good deeds. Therefore, they are unwilling to confess their sinfulness, and their need for Jesus Christ; to turn their lives over to Jesus, and to do His Will

The sad part is this. To those who stumble by being disobedient, doom awaits! They become angry, arrogant, and combative when their sinfulness is made known to them. For such doom has been appointed by God - 1 Pe 2:8 “and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Such is logically necessary, for without Christ we will die in our own sins - Jn 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Righteous punishment can only follow - Re 20:11-15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.”

We often sing "Jesus, Rock of Ages," for truly Jesus is like a rock. But what kind of rock is He to us? If we are willing to believe and obey Jesus, He can be the CORNERSTONE.... Upon which we can be added as part of His church, the spiritual temple. Upon which we can build our lives so as to have a full and meaningful life. But if we disbelieve and are disobedient. then by necessity Jesus will be our STUMBLINGSTONE.... Over which we will fall. Under which we will be broken and be ground to powder. There is no middle ground. What will Jesus be for you? Are you obedient to His Word?

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Loving One Another Fervently (1:22)

In our last study, we saw that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means:
1.) Not to conform ourselves to the former lusts - 1 Pe 1:14
2.) To be holy in all our conduct - 1 Pe 1:15-16
3.) To conduct ourselves in fear - 1 Pe 1:17-21
Another responsibility we have as obedient children is found in verse 22...“Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:”. Simply stated, we are to "love one another fervently". A closer look at verse 22 reveals:
1) What "fervent love" is
2) And how it is possible for Christians to "love one another fervently"

But before we take that closer look, consider this question. Why is "fervent love" important? Why, because it is a demonstration of discipleship. While Judas had gone to betray Him, Jesus gave a new commandment - Jn 13:33-35 “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It is a commandment to love one another, even as Jesus loved us. The reason for such a commandment: to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! Where there is no "Christ-like love", our actions betray our words. We may profess to be Christ's disciples, but failure to have a fervent love like Christ had for us will cause the world to doubt our discipleship!

Second, it is a demonstration of spiritual life. "Love of the brethren" is an indication that we have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life - 1 Jn 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.” Failure to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, without any excuse, is an indication that we are still spiritually dead! We will not be able to stand before God in the judgment and offer up any excuse for failure to follw His command "that ye love one another; even as I have loved you,"

Thirdly, it demonstrates our relationship to God. God is love, and those who truly love have been born of God - 1 Jn 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.” Failure to love leaves the impression that we have not been born again and that we do not truly know God! - 1 Jn 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

Certainly these three reasons should convince us that "loving one another fervently" is important. But what qualifies as a "fervent love"? What kind of love will demonstrate our discipleship, our spiritual life, our relationship with God? What is "fervent love"? Clearly it is "fervent"! The same word is used in reference to prayer in Ac 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.” There it is translated "constant" or "earnest". Just as the disciples were constantly praying for the release of Peter, so our love for one another is to be "unceasing". Therefore, only that love which is constant and earnest can qualify as "fervent love".

From Barnes NT Notes:
"See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." "The phrase "with a pure heart fervently," means
(1.) that it should be genuine love, proceeding from a heart in which there is no guile or hypocrisy;
(2.) that it should be intense affection, (Greek;) not cold and formal, but ardent and strong. If there is any reason why we should love true Christians at all, there is the same reason why our attachment to them should be intense. This verse establishes the following points:
(1.) That truth was at the foundation of their piety. They had none of which this was not the proper basis; and in which the foundation was not as broad as the superstructure. There is no religion in the world which is not the fair development of truth; which the truth is not fitted to produce.
(2.) They became Christians as the result of obeying the truth; or by yielding to its fair influence on the soul. Their own minds complied with its claims; their own hearts yielded; there was the exercise of their own volitions. This expresses a doctrine of great importance.
(a.) There is always the exercise of the powers of the mind in true religion; always a yielding to truth; always a voluntary reception of it into the soul.
(b.) Religion is always of the nature of obedience. It consists in yielding to what is true and right; in laying aside the feelings of opposition, and in allowing the mind to follow where truth and duty lead.
(c.) This would always take place when the truth is presented to the mind, if there were no voluntary resistance. If all men were ready to yield to the truth, they would become Christians. The only reason why all men do not love and serve God, is that they refuse to yield to what they know to be true and right.
(3.) The agency by which this was accomplished was that of the Holy Ghost. Truth is adapted in itself to a certain end or result, as seed is adapted to produce a harvest. But it will no more of itself produce its appropriate effects on the soul, than seed will produce a harvest without rains, and dews, and suns. In all cases, therefore, the proper effect of truth on the soul is to be traced to the influence of the Holy Spirit, as the germination of the seed in the earth is to the foreign cause that acts on it. No man was ever converted by the mere effect of truth without the agency of the Holy Ghost, any more than seed germinates when laid on a hard rock.
(4.) The effect of this influence of the Holy Spirit in applying the truth is to produce love to all who are Christians. Love to Christian brethren springs up in the soul of every one who is truly converted: and this love is just as certain evidence that the seed of truth has germinated in the soul, as the green and delicate blade that peeps up through the earth is evidence that the seed sown has been quickened into life. We may learn hence,
(a.) that truth is of inestimable value. It is as valuable as religion itself, for all the religion in the world is the result of it.
(b.) Error and falsehood are mischievous and evil in the same degree. There is no true religion which is the fair result of error; and all the pretended religion that is sustained by error is worthless.
(c.) If a system of religion, or a religious measure or doctrine, cannot be defended by truth, it should be at once abandoned. Comp. See Barnes "Job 13:7".
(d.) We should avoid the places where error is taught. Pr 19:27, "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."
(e.) We should place ourselves under the teachings of truth, for there is truth enough in the world to occupy all our time and attention; and it is only by truth that our minds can be benefited."

Love must also be "sincere". Translated "unfeigned" in some versions. The Greek word literally means "not hypocritical". This makes it clear that "fervent love" is not to be some kind of show, but coming from the heart - Ro 12:9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

Finally, love must also be "pure". Love of the brethren must always be kept in the context of moral purity. Under no circumstances is our love to be a cover for sexual immorality - Ep 5:2-3 “and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;”. Pure, sincere, fervent love, then, is one that emulates Christ's love, in other words, a sacrificial love! We'll continue this lesson in a second part answering the question 'How do we measure up to this type of love"?