QT 30 Sep 16, Gal 2:17-21, The Gospel frees us from performance

Galatians 2:17–21 (ESV) — 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

NOTE: I can't be justified in any way by the observance of the law. It is contrary to a life of faith. There may be good things in the law to observe, but if I believe I am obtaining God's favor (a form of justification) by doing them, then I am deluding myself. My salvation is entirely based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. I CAN NOT ADD anything to what Jesus had done for me in relationship to my position before God. I think this is very hard for me to internalize, which is why I capitalized the letters. I do realize that if I could internalize it better, there is a great heaviness that lifts off of my shoulders. I feel it when I meditate on the concept more. It is quite natural to feel the need to earn a person's favor, maybe because it is so easy to earn a person's disfavor. But the burden-lifting joyful message of the gospel is--it is done--God says I'm good.

QT 28 Sep 16, Gal 2:15-16, One requirement for mankind, do not reject God again

Galatians 2:15–16 (ESV) — 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

NOTE: This, in a very nice nutshell, is the heart of the gospel message. We are not justified by works or by the OT law or the ten commandments or by good deeds or ANYTHING ELSE except faith in Jesus Christ. We are now "justified," which means we will not have to face justice for our sins. God judged those sins and executed the penalty upon Jesus. We will be judged by how we lived our Christian life, but that will not change our eternal salvation. I actually believe that Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world leaving mankind with only one decision, to place their faith in the finished work of Christ or to reject Jesus, just as Adam and Eve rejected God's rule in the garden. It is the same decision. Judgment for the unbeliever will not be for their sin but for their rejection of God, like Adam and Eve, a very simple requirement. So where do we stand on faith in Jesus?

QT 28 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:7, Beware of men who fake spirituality

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) — 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

NOTE: This is the great failure of men, loving their wives biblically. Unfortunately, just as women fail, men fail worse because of their inherent selfish nature. And consequently, men feed the selfish desire of women to take control over their own lives less their husbands ruin their happiness. I get it and I wish I had a  good response. But if anything, it reveals the absolute importance of marrying someone who is serious about their walk with God, and I mean, REAL SERIOUS. Because the only protection from the selfish husband is the man regularly seeking God and the Holy Spirit transforming his life. Men will fake spirituality to win a wife, I have seen it over and over again. What is worse, is even when women are warned, they fall for the trap over and over again. They make excuses, they say he will change and become stronger, and on and on. Women, don't marry a man who is not spiritually on fire and spiritually more mature than yourself. You are almost guaranteed a life of Hell on earth.

QT 27 Sep 16, 1 Pet 3:5-6, We need to trust God when we trust people who we are subject to

1 Peter 3:5–6 (ESV) — 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

NOTE: The last part of this passage seems out of place or at least, unusual. 'Do not fear anything that is frightening' does not make sense, since by definition, fearing when frighten seems normal. In context, it could be referring to the idea of being subject to the husband, that is a frightening prospect. God is telling the woman not to fear, that he will take care of her--God has her best interests at heart. We all have different fears and so the challenge to women is not so different from the challenge to men. Men's fears are about providing for the family, finding a job, keeping a job, meeting expectations of a boss, and so on. Men fear people too. God wants us to trust him, to do the right thing and to trust him for the rest. It is difficult, but it is part of our witness and our life here on earth (of which we are strangers and foreigners).

QT 26 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:1-6, How a Christian woman witnesses

1 Peter 3:1–6 (ESV) — 1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

NOTE: Peter now switches from our impact on society and employers to our impact within the family. He starts with specific advice for women--which might not be considered acceptable in today's society, but that is primarily because the devil has so distorted the roles of women, and the meaning of words (such as roles and submission) as to be completely foreign to the intent of the passage. There are many roles we take on in life. A role does not define our value or intrinsic net worth. Roles do define salaries. CEOs get paid much more than administrative assistants, but does not determine intrinsic worth as an individual, except maybe in the eyes of the CEO. Submission is required in every organization. In my military days, I had to submit to authorities above me in rank and position, but that did not mean that I could not express my opinion or disagree verbally. But when the General said, "enough, I've made my decision" then I was required to obey without murmuring or a bad attitude. That does not change my value as a person. Every type of venture requires a single leader. Partnerships where the authority is equally divided usually does not work. A good leader seldom insists on his own way unless it is extremely important issue to the life of the organization. A good leader is a servant to others. He gently guides. The fact that men have exhibited poor leadership over the years does not invalidate Paul's charge to women.

QT 23 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:24-25, We have one supreme choice in life

1 Peter 2:24–25 (ESV) — 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

NOTE: The essence of the gospel is the great exchange. He took our sins. His wounds healed us. He gave us his righteousness (positional-ly before God). We have all, not just the Jews, strayed like sheep. Our straying started in the garden and is the reason for so much that is not right in the world. We rejected God's rule, and God let us live in the consequences of that decision, in the hope, that we would realize the foolishness of our choice. His son has dealt with our sin, and we are left with one choice, to accept or reject his gift. At the end of the age, which is sooner every moment, he will restore the creation as he intended, but for now, he is providing mercy to those who do not believe. There is still time to for a new birth. There is still time for healing, but we have to respond to Jesus.

QT 22 Sep 16, Gal 2:11-14, The gospel is free, there are no works required to gain God's favor

Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV) — 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

NOTE: There are a lot of reasons for Peter to act as he did without necessarily intending to harm the central truths of the gospel. The problem is that as a leader our actions are always being interpreted by others. In this case, Peter's graciousness to his weaker brothers was not a sufficient reason for him to act as he did. And maybe Peter was unaware of his actions. He certainly had no problem eating with Gentiles. So there is a limit to how we should treat the weaker brother, if they were weaker brothers and not false brothers. When the actions in total violate fundamental doctrinal truths, then the weaker brothers need to be corrected. It is not wrong to eat with Jewish brothers separately, but apparently Peter was only eating separately with them once they showed up. This becomes a critical question, did Jesus mean to require persons to become Jews first before believing in his death and resurrection, or was the gospel offered freely to all who would believe? Every time the issue has been clearly laid out, the answer is that the gospel is free. There are no works required before or after to earn our salvation. Jewish oral laws, such as separation during eating, do not apply. Technically, some of those laws never applied.

QT 21 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:23, How to respond like Jesus

1 Peter 2:23 (ESV) — 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

NOTE: I think the biggest failure of believers today is how they respond to even the slightest injustice. We are so programmed by our culture about our rights; our right to be happy, our right not to be hurt, our right to be free from offensive words, and on and on. We might not use those words, but the meaning is the same. Consequently, we blow up at the slightest hurt, intentional or not. But, by prayer and the Holy Spirit, we do not have to respond this way. God can change us so that we respond graciously to people, and to intentional or unintentional slights. That is the exciting thing about being a believer in Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, but are free to choose a different path. We can be different. And we must be different in order to have an impact on the world around us. So, how do we do this? The first step is to add to our regular prayer, that God would change our hearts and change the way we respond to events. It might even be prayer to recognize and to analyze why we responded the way we did. And then we need to ask the Holy Spirit to change us so we are able to respond differently to people. Ask in prayer to respond like Jesus did. He will do it. It is an amazing thing. And it will have an amazing impact on your witness.

QT 20 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:18-25, Our witness includes how we respond, even to injustice

1 Peter 2:18–25 (ESV) — 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

NOTE: The relationship in Israel of servants (or slaves) was more akin to a seven-year contract or enlistment than to the slavery in the early history of the United States. Still the methods of punishment seem extreme to a western person, but there is no indication that beatings were normal. Many masters (employers) were kind. But since most servants were paid up front for their  seven years of service, usually because of a debt, firing was not really an option, so I'm sure physical punishment grew out of this quandary. In any case, nowhere in scriptures is the behavior (beatings) condoned. And we don't even know if it was wide-spread. Peter's point (and Paul makes a similar case), is that how we respond to injustice is an important aspect of our witness (whether it is beating or other forms of discipline, like extra work). For a servant, the discussion of being an alien and stranger may have created some jealousy. They already felt like strangers, they weren't masters of an estate. They probably wondered if they would ever get to enjoy prosperity like their masters. Peter, previously, reminds them that their reward is in heaven and it is sure. But for now, they live on earth as witnesses, and there are a lot of ways to be a witness, whatever your role or lot in life is now. If we recognized that we have a sure inheritance, it makes injustice easier to understand and to accept. But if this is all there is to life, then injustice is horribly wrong and unfair. Injustice is wrong, but God has promised to deal with the unjust. And actually he already has on the cross. Now, people are left with two options, to believe in Jesus or to reject Jesus. If they believe, then Jesus' death has fully paid for their injustice (as well as our own sins) and we can't improve on that. If they refuse, they will suffer eternity in hell, and that is the strongest punishment imaginable. Although the punishment is  not because of the injustice performed in this life, but their refusal to believe in their creator, savior, and God.

QT 19 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:13-17, We need changed hearts more than changed laws

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV) — 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

NOTE: When we look at our world and the direction it is heading, it is easy to ask why Peter would command the believers to obey the government. Peter wrote this while Nero was systematically persecuting Jews (and Christians) for the burning of Rome. In fact, in only a few years from the time of this letter, Jerusalem would also burn -- maybe the Romans did it with the idea of payback. But Peter's reasoning makes a lot of sense in context. This world is not our home. We are aliens (our home is somewhere else) and strangers (there is nothing here that could make it our home). Our reward is an eternal home which we will receive with our glorified bodies. This world just pulls us away from what is truly important. We can't fix this world. It needs a heart change, not a ruler change, not law changes, but a deep changing in the heart. So, the very best thing we can do, is not to distract (by working on politicizing issues) from the message, but focus on eternal issues, a person's need for a savior. Peter wants us to be good witnesses for Jesus Christ and by so doing, put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. The latter phrase describes today's media attempts to portray Christians. They don't understand us. They are ignorant. And they foolishly attack our values. It is foolish because they have believed the lives of the enemy and denied the creator. They think they have reason and science, but ultimately they are putting faith in things that have no basis. The mathematical probabilities of random chance even getting one single cell to come into existence is zero (1 in 10^38). The probability of fine tuning in the universe is so miniscule that scientists have to create "multiverse (infinite universes)," a god in the gap approach to explaining something that no evidence exists. They are foolish, but so are we when we focus on temporal changes (like political parties) when the real need is eternal changes in the soul.

QT 16 Sep 16, Gal 2:5-10, The gospel is God's idea, not man's

Galatians 2:5–10 (ESV) — 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

NOTE: My reason for underlining certain portions of the above text is to emphasize a key truth about Christianity, the lack of hierarchical leadership. While the positions existed (influential, pillars), Paul again and again emphasized that he was not under their authority, "did not yield in submission." God is in charge of the church, not people or popes, bishops or church leaders, elders or deacons. We have responsibilities, yes, but we do not exercise control. God is ultimately in charge of his body, not people. We have leaders whose charge is to be servant-leaders. Yes, church leaders do have authority, but their authority is not absolute, and can be challenged when it disagrees with the teaching of scripture (Paul gives an example in chapter 2 in regards to Peter). His point is that our message is directly from God and not man-made. That is why we can't disagree with men who run counter to the teaching of scripture no matter their position of authority. The gospel is God's idea, not man's idea. We obey God, not man.

QT 15 Sep 16, Gal 1:10-12, We must remain true to the message even when unpopular

Galatians 1:10–11 (ESV) — 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.

NOTE: It is very difficult in leadership and in many aspects of life to not go out of our way to please others. And pleasing others is a commendable quality. The problem is when our pleasing is because we are more concerned about another's favor toward us than in doing the right thing. This is especially difficult as a leader. Most leaders want to be well-perceived. Additionally today, our culture tells us that the "intellectual" thing to believe is that all religion is good and that there are many ways to God. But that is a message from the Devil! In Galatians, Paul makes it very clear that there is only one truth, salvation by faith alone in the death of Jesus Christ for our sin. God, by grace, has secured our salvation, but we must put our faith in Jesus. No other name can save us from our sins. No work can save us. No sacrifice can save us. No amount of good deeds can save us. We have to stand up and say the message that is true, even if it is against the culture and others might think poorly of us for saying it. 

QT 14 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:12, We are different -- we need to show it

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV) — 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

NOTE: "According to many cultural anthropologists, the pivotal social value of the biblical world was honor,…" (Mark Allan Powell, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated), 2011, 388). Honor does not seem to be as valuable today, that may be part of our descent into sin and our unshackling ourselves from morality and virtue. But while society may not espouse it, individuals still do. We do have an expectation of honor from others, that is, we expect them to be honest before our face, or to return something borrowed, or to follow through on a commitment. We may not be surprised when our expectations are not met, but we still retain the expectation. Which is why a Christian, for the sake of his witness, needs to extol the virtues of honor even if we no longer live in a biblical world. It is the way we want to be treated and it is the way we want to interact with people around us. When we as believers fail, it is one more nail in the coffin where the coffin contains the concept "Christians are different because we have been transformed by Jesus." The world wants to argue that there is no difference. But there is a fundamental difference and we must expose that difference to the world so that they may wake up and come to Jesus, the only salvation for their souls.

QT 13 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:13-17, We silence the ignorant media by doing what is right

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV) — 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

NOTE: This verse addresses some of the practical implications of how we are to live as witnesses before the Gentiles (unbelievers) mentioned in the previous verse 12. We are to be good citizens, which means obeying the authorities and the laws. An exception can be made to an immoral law, but that is seldom an issue in western society. In the unbelieving world, tax cheating can be a common practice, but should not be so for a believer. We are to pay all our taxes, fulfilling the requirements of the temporal law to the fullest. This is part of  our witness. We need to be good citizens. We need to obey parking signs and speed limits (I struggle here some) and other restrictions. We do not get to pick and choose the laws that we will obey. Peter makes it very clear in this passage. And one of Peter's key reasons is "by doing good, (we) silence the ignorance of foolish people." There is a lot of ignorance presented by our media concerning Christians that has colored a true understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Our only chance to win back the war, is to live in such a way as to silence the stupidity of at least the people who see us and might be repeating the ignorant memes that society and culture are creating concerning Christians.

QT 12 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:11-12, Our soul is at war with the passions of the flesh

1 Peter 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

NOTE: This continues the thoughts in chapter one that this world is not our home. Our reward is in heaven. That is our SURE hope. It is a similar thought to the writer of Hebrews. We are not to seek the pleasures (and passions) of this world. Those things war against our soul. What does it mean to war? Those things fight against us in intense spiritual warfare. And as in a war, we lose ground, we retreat, we fall back as we lose battles. The key is to use our weapons, such as our sword, which is the word of God, which chapter one also discussed, calling it the imperishable seed.

A second note is verse 12's call to keep the conduct among the Gentiles honorable, suggesting two possibilities. One, the letter is primarily written to Jewish believers. Or two, the letter is written to both Jew and Gentile believers, but the reference to Gentiles is really a reference to the unbelieving world. The second thought fits within the context of the rest of the verse because it is unlikely the Gentile believers would be calling their brothers and sisters, evildoers. No, that is how the world views us. The world, in their twisted way of thinking, believe religion is the root of all evils in the world, a point without any logical basis, but it is what they want to believe. We need to challenge that thinking with good deeds. Someday they will be forced to review their beliefs, and we want to be part of the process that leads them to faith.

QT 9 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:9-10, It is not too late for the remnant to fulfill their purpose (only now it is with the church)

1 Peter 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

NOTE: There is a good argument, given the author and the intended audience that these verses apply to Jewish believers. Now the concept of the priesthood of all believers is taught elsewhere (Rev 1:6), but these verses might better fit Jews, who are now the remnant. They are part of the church, but the argument may be intended distinctly for this group of believers. In fact, the whole passage seems to be directed at Jews, including the stone upon which they stumble, namely Jesus. It could be that Peter is reminding Jews of their special privilege, both in the past and now in the future. Gentiles are sharing in that privilege, but it was originally intended for Jews to carry it out. But God's calling stands firm, and it is not too late for the remnant to fulfill God's purpose for their life. In this way, Peter is encouraging the Jewish believers not to lose heart or to give up, but to press on. They have been called out of darkness and they have received mercy. If only for those reasons alone, they should serve their savior.

QT 8 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:7-8, The most important decision of life--who is Jesus

1 Peter 2:7–8 (ESV) — 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

NOTE: "Destined" is such a harsh word. But earlier in 1 Peter, we also saw the word, "foreknew," a word which explains "destined" and takes the edge off of it. When you know the future and know the choices a person is determined to make, they are destined, but not because of anything God did, but because of their own poor choices. And, the most important choice a man can make in this world is what they do with Jesus Christ. Did he live as historical accounts confirm? Did he say the things that the records, viewed by many eyewitnesses say he said? Did he rise from the dead and did ten martyred apostles who were eyewitnesses die to hold to that truth? One can excuse martyrs who never knew the person, that proves nothing. But eyewitnesses, that is a completely different thing. They know the truth and they gave their life because of their belief in historical facts. They did not become rich and never really had much power. But they saw Jesus and they, as well as hundreds also, were witnesses of the resurrection. The most important decision of life is how we classify this Jesus.

QT 7 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:4-6, We are part of the worldwide church, the body of Christ

1 Peter 2:4–6 (ESV) — 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

NOTE: The church is a unique entity in the bible. It was a mystery, a secret until the time of Christ. It is a living organism, a body, where each part has distinct importance and functions. Peter also calls it a building where each stone is part of the building of a spiritual house. The building and the body are both a holy priesthood. Unlike the OT, where mediators were required, each member of the church is a priest. Each member of the body can mediate directly with God. Each member can offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. We are part of an incredibly large enterprise started and directed by God. As Israel was to be holy and set apart from the nations around it, so now we, the church, are called to be holy and set apart from the world around us. We are to identify with Jesus as witnesses of his great work within our lives. The people Peter was writing too were dispersed, but not really. They were part of a much larger work. They were no longer separated by distance but were merged together into the body of Christ. So, we too are part of the worldwide building that God is fashioning. Each of us are a stone in the massive structure. We are all together for the worship and glorifying of the God of creation, and the God of salvation. Thank you Lord that I am a part of your worldwide structure.

QT 6 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:2-3, Renew the desire for milk

1 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

NOTE: Wiersbe writes, "It is sad when Christians have no appetite for God’s Word, but must be ‘fed’ religious entertainment instead." I wonder how this happens, because at my new birth, the longing for the word was so great, and the intake of it was so satisfying, causing that desire to continue strong for 39 years. But, I also know, that there have been times in my life when weeds (the things of the world) have choked my desire for the word. And as you get farther away from the word, you forget the good things of God and settle for second best--things that give temporal satisfaction. I've also noticed that good Christian fellowship is also important. When others are excited and sharing what God is showing them in his word, it feeds a desire to also partake of the goodness of God. It renews our desire that we experienced at the new birth. So, we need good Christian fellowship, where the emphasis is on what God is teaching and doing in our life, and not on the weather or sports or politics--the latter three things do NOT define good Christian fellowship. Lord, renew our heart for your word.

QT 5 Sep 16, 1 Pet 2:1, Get rid of the junk by getting into the Word!

1 Peter 2:1 (ESV) — 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

NOTE: This would seem the natural or obvious thing for a believer to do. Obviously it is not always true or Peter would not need to mention it. We are changed but we also struggle with our sin nature, which still exists. Some people do a better job of living according to the new mind, but others live according to the flesh. The introductory word 'So,' assumes that the previous argument should influence in some way. The word is a conjunction in the Greek and is used "to introduce a logical result or inference from what precedes therefore, so, consequently;" (ALGNT, 2000). What precedes are two main thoughts. One, we have an incredible inheritance which cannot change and is safely held by God for each one of us in heaven. Two, we are born of imperishable seed through the living and abiding word of God. Which means, that we cannot lose our salvation and we have a source of power to change us. So, given all that, we do need to change. We need to prepare ourselves for our future. We need to honor God with our lives. We need to take off the malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander that we live in as children of the king--it is unfitting! The key is the word of God. It can changes us and renew us, but only to the extent that we dig into it.

QT 1 Sep 16, 1 Pet 1:24-25, Life without God is a life without hope

1 Peter 1:23–25 (ESV) — 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 

NOTE: Our material bodies are in contrast to verse 23, the imperishable seed, which is our new birth. That seed will become a new resurrected body in the future, that will never die or wear out. This is the good news, that death no longer has a hold on a born-again individual. That is what the term, 'Jesus saves,' means--that we are saved from death by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He paid our sins, and he was resurrected from the dead to live eternally. The bible calls Jesus, the firstborn of the dead. Our hope, which is not a wish, but a glorious awaited future, is that we are to be resurrected into our new bodies soon. Baptism is a symbol of both our rebirth and of our future resurrection from the dead. We are spiritually alive and soon we will be physically whole again. The world will be as God intended it, without disease or death or disasters. Why does God not intervene today if he is loving, all powerful and just? It is because we rebelled against his rule and chose to live outside of his authority. So God gave us what we wanted (life without his rule or interference), and yet we wonder why he does not intervene; or we blame him for disasters. It was never his plan, it is what we, in our free will, chose. He will act soon, but for now his silence is a reminder that this was what we chose for ourselves, life out from under his reign.