Peace Lutheran Church

3rd Annual Thrivent Builds Week #2

Posted on June 13, 2008 by admin

June 23^rd – 27^th

2926 North 7^th Street

Milwaukee, WI

The Southeast Wisconsin Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is once again partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity to help 10 families build their homes in the inner city of Milwaukee. We will begin construction on the last two homes the week of June 23^rd – 27^th, and would love for you to join us make a difference in these familes’ lives.

If you would like to volunteer please contact:

Carrie Feehan, Volunteer Coordinator

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

414-562-6100 ext 14

cfeehan@milwaukeehabitat.org

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Pastors, Politics, and Pulpits

Posted on June 13, 2008 by admin

There has been a fair amount of press coverage over the years about pastors preaching politics from the pulpit. I know that I have been both amazed and saddened by the pure ignorance and vitriol that has spilled over from pulpits over the years from both liberal and conservative pastors. I understand the temptation to “change the world” that comes when you have a “captive audience” before you, “great wisdom” floating around your head, and a deep and abiding passion in your heart. However, it doesn’t take too much searching to find clergy who have led people astray because they have been ill equipped to adequately analyze the issues and because they have made idols or false gods out of laws, policies, procedures, and politicians. When I’m tempted to speak about political solutions to the problem of sin I have found it useful to not only bow down before God’s holy word, but also to pay attention to the ways in which “the law of unintended consequences” manifests itself in our fallen world (if you don’t know what that means just click HERE and HERE). We always need to hear the Gospel of how God was at work in the death and resurrection Christ to reconcile us to Himself. The kind of selfless service that Christ demands (Matthew 25:31-46 [show]Matthew 25:31-46 [31]"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32]Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33]And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34]Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35]For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36]I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37]Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38]And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39]And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40]And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,(1) you did it to me.' [41]"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42]For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43]I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44]Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45]Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46]And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [25:40] Or 'brothers and sisters'
) comes only when hearts have been set free from the power of sin and death, and the Holy Spirit works gratitude within us that spills over into the lives of the least and the lost.

Phil Johnson from Pyromaniacs Blog gave a lecture entitled Politically Incorrect? (How to shepherd your congregation in an election year) at a recent pastors’ conference. Addressed to a group of very conservative Evangelical pastors, Johnson challenges them to stop trying to change American culture through political activism, and exhorts them to return their focus to proclaiming the Gospel. You can download an MP3 version of this lecture HERE. If you want to read the lecture instead, just click on each point below and you will be taken to the relevant article on Johnson’s blog.

Here were four Biblical insights that Johnson argued should guide pastoral practice in political matters.

Preaching, not lobbying, is how the church makes Truth known. (1 Corinthians 1:21-2 [show]1 Corinthians 1:21-2:16 [21]For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22]For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23]but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24]but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25]For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [26]For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,(1) not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27]But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28]God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29]so that no human being(2) might boast in the presence of God. [30]And because of him(3) you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31]so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." [2:1]And I, when I came to you, brothers,(4) did not come proclaiming to you the testimony(5) of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2]For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3]And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4]and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5]that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. [6]Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7]But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8]None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9]But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- [10]these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11]For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12]Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13]And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.(6) [14]The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [15]The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. [16]"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:26] Greek 'according to the flesh' 2. [1:29] Greek 'no flesh' 3. [1:30] Greek 'And from him' 4. [2:1] Or 'brothers and sisters' 5. [2:1] Some manuscripts 'mystery' (or 'secret') 6. [2:13] Or 'interpreting spiritual truths in spiritual language', or 'comparing spiritual things with spiritual'
:8)
Gospel, not law, is what changes sinful hearts. (Galatians 2:21 [show]Galatians 2:21 [21]I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness(1) were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:21] Or 'justification'
, Galatians 3:2 [show]Galatians 3:2 [2]Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (ESV)
)
Service, not dominion, is the most effective way to win people in any culture. (Matthew 20:25-28 [show]Matthew 20:25-28 [25]But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26]It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,(1) [27]and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,(2) [28]even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [20:26] Greek 'diakonos' 2. [20:27] Greek 'bondservant' ('doulos')
)
Christ, not moralism, should be the primary substance of our preaching. (1 Corinthians 2:2 [show]1 Corinthians 2:2 [2]For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (ESV)
)

It’s important to remember that this message is addressed to pastors and focuses on their unique call to publicly preach the Gospel. People as citizens are called to be active participants in the political process.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in commemoration | Tagged gospel, political action, preaching | Comments Off

Commemoration – June 13

Posted on June 13, 2008 by admin

St. Anthony of Padua (ca. 1195– June 13, 1231) Doctor of the Church

It is said that Antony in his private prayers often directed his prayers to Jesus as an infant, and meditated on the extreme humility in which God in Christ displayed when He embraced the limitations of being a helpless baby. Artists often portray Antony in a Franciscan robe, carrying a lily and the child Jesus.

O God, who by your Holy Spirit gave your servant Antony a love of the Holy Scriptures, and the gift of expounding them with learning and eloquence, so that your people might be established in sound doctrine and encouraged in the way of righteousness, grant us always an abundance of such preachers, to the glory of your Name and the benefit of your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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The Test of Christian Fellowship

Posted on June 12, 2008 by admin

Every day brings to the Christian many hours in which he will be alone in an unchristian environment. These are the times of testing. This is the test of true meditation and true Christian community. Has the fellowship served to make the individual free, strong, and mature, or has it made him weak and dependent? Has it taken him by the hand for a while in order that he may learn again to walk by himself, or has it made him uneasy and unsure? This is one of the most searching and critical questions that can be put to any Christian fellowship.

Furthermore, this is the place where we find out whether the Christian’s meditation has led him into the unreal, from which he awakens in terror when he returns to the workaday world, or whether it has led him into a real contact with God, from which he emerges strengthened and purified. Has it transported him for a moment into a spiritual ecstasy that vanishes when everyday life returns, or has it lodged the Word of God so securely and deeply in his heart that it holds and fortifies him, impelling him to active love, to obedience, to good works?

Only the day can decide.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945) Life Together

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Storms

Posted on June 12, 2008 by admin

Someone has written that the Christian religion is a “storm in a golden frame.” It occurs to me that the figure ought to be reversed. The storm is not at the center. The storm develops around the edges where God and his will come into contact with human life. The cross is the stormy reminder of what happens when God invades human life.

When a weather front of clear, cold, refreshing air moves down from Canada and hits a mass of hot, humid, stagnant air, storms develop along the edge of the cold front, often with lightning, thunder and torrential rains. Even so does God’s invasion of our world develop storms as it advances into the human scene . And insofar as you and I become in some measure agents or ambassadors of God in the world, we can expect a stormy time of it. If it does not bring actual physical suffering, as was the lot of Christ and Paul and so many of our contemporaries in Communist lands, it will at the very least bring a tortured conscience and increased sensitivity to the injustices done to others. A Christian cannot ever stand by and be a mere spectator to human suffering and misery without becoming more than a spectator, without entering in some degree into the misery and suffering himself and doing whatever may be done at the moment to alleviate some of it.

Edmund A. Steimle (1907 – 1988) Are You Looking For God?

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Make a World of Difference

Posted on June 11, 2008 by admin

photo credit: Dey

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is pleased to announce an exciting adventure to India this fall through a collaborative effort with Thrivent Builds With Habitat for Humanity.

This is an opportunity for 15 members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and friends of LWR to build homes through the Thrivent Builds Worldwide program and visit communities where LWR works with grassroots partners to combat poverty.

The estimated cost for this trip is $4,380 which includes roundtrip airfare from Dulles International Airport and other transportation costs in India (airfare, train and van travel), lodging, meals.

To be considered for this LWR-Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip, or for more information, contact Rebecca Lange-Thernes at rthernes@lwr.org or 410-230-2737. The application deadline is July 1.

Please visit www.lwr.org/study for updated information on this and other LWR Study Tours.

Posted in upcoming events, wider church | Tagged habitat for humanity, india, lutheran world relief, service, synod news | Comments Off

Sign Up for Habitat for Humanity

Posted on June 11, 2008 by admin

Honor God and be a blessing to others by building a house this summer with the people of Peace Lutheran, Habitat for Humanity, and the folks at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

You will find sign-up sheets in the church narthex for the following dates:

Saturday July 19th: Hanging Drywall

Saturday August 16th: Clean Walls & Floors, Prime Walls

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We will meet in the church parking lot at 8 AM and carpool up to Milwaukee.
We will work from 9:00 AM– 3:00 PM. .
The sites are located in Milwaukee. Click HERE for a map of the sites.
You must be 16 or older to work on a Thrivent Builds construction site, and at least 18 years old to use power tools. We must supply one adult chaperon for every 4 youth. Parental permission slips must be signed.
As with any volunteer opportunity everyone must sign a waiver
We will have ways that younger children can help out (making lunches etc)
Dress for the weather and comfort, but no open-toed shoes.
Bring a long-sleeved shirt. Bring work gloves.
Bring plenty of water (especially during hot weather) or Gatorade type beverage, lunch and snacks.
Bring basic tools:16′ tape measure
Phillips and flathead screwdriver
Safety glasses
Claw hammer
Utility knife
Carpenter’s pencil
Tool Belt or Nail Belt
Hard Hat, if you have one
Work gloves.
Power tools will be accepted (generators are not needed)
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. The folks at Habitat are excellent at teaching the skills you need and the people on the work teams have been remarkably friendly.

On June 7th Pastor Dan, Pastor Ron, and David Vojta worked with a team from the Waukesha area installing fiberglass insulation and plastic sheeting. The work was hot, sticky, and itchy but we had a blast. Check out the following pics.

We want to thank Scott Herrmann our local Thrivent representative and the regional Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity coordinator Chris Stelzer for making us aware of this opportunity to serve others in Jesus’ name.

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Bible Study for June 15 2008 – 1 Peter 2:4-10

Posted on June 11, 2008 by admin

In the first two chapters of 1 Peter, the Apostle seeks to embolden, support, and encourage these early Christians with a series of exhortations that challenge these congregations to remember who they really are by the grace of God:

1. An exhortation to have Hope: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 [show]1 Peter 1:13 [13]Therefore, preparing your minds for action,(1) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:13] Greek 'girding up the loins of your mind'

2. An exhortation to Holiness: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, (15) but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (16) since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 [show]1 Peter 1:14-16 [14]As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15]but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16]since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (ESV)

3. An exhortation to Fear God: And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, (18) knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (20) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you (21) who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21 [show]1 Peter 1:17-21 [17]And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, [18]knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, [19]but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. [20]He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you [21]who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (ESV)

4. An exhortation to Love One Another: Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (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. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.1 Peter 1:22-2 [show]1 Peter 1:22-2:25 [22]Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, [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. [2:1]So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [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. [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." [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,"(1) [8]and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. [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. [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. [13]Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,(2) whether it be to the emperor(3) 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(4) of God. [17]Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. [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. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:7] Greek 'the head of the corner' 2. [2:13] Or 'every institution ordained for people' 3. [2:13] Or 'king'; also verse 17 4. [2:16] Greek 'bondservants'
:1

5. An exhortation to Desire the Word of God: (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. 1 Peter 2:2-3 [show]1 Peter 2:2-3 [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. (ESV)

In this week’s sermon we will reflect on the Apostle’s vivid description of how God is making Christians into a Spiritual House built upon the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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.” (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. (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. 1 Peter 2:4-10 [show]1 Peter 2:4-10 [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." [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,"(1) [8]and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. [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. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:7] Greek 'the head of the corner'

1. What images come to mind when you hear the word “church”? People often have a strong emotional attachment to church buildings…what difference does it make to you when you consider being a part of a “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5 [show]1 Peter 2:5 [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. (ESV)
)?

2. In what ways is Christ “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” to you..and for those you know? (1 Peter 2:8 [show]1 Peter 2:8 [8]and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (ESV)
)?

3. What difference does it make to you to know you are chosen by God and that you belong to Him (see 1 Peter 2:9-10 [show]1 Peter 2:9-10 [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. (ESV)
)?

4. We often are measure our attachment to a congregation by the extent to which we feel connected to the pastor and other church leaders. How might the fact that “God” is doing the building change the way you look at being a part of a particular fellowship of believers?

5. Pay attention to the names that Peter uses to describe Christians in this passage. Which is most confusing? Challenging? Comforting? Which of these terms can you relate to the most?

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Bible Study For June 8: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Posted on June 4, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:22-25 [show]1 Peter 1:22-25 [22]Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, [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. (ESV)
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (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.

2:1-3 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. (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.

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1 Peter 1:22 [show]1 Peter 1:22 [22]Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (ESV)
is difficult to translate. Here are some different English translations:

(ESV) Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

(GNB) Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart.

(NIV) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart

(NLT) You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.Love each other deeply with all your heart.

(CEV) You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart.

1:22 purified. Purification comes from obedience to the truth, and this result in love for others. In the Old Testament, people engaged in rituals to purify objects and people so as to make them worthy for the use by God (Numbers 8:21 [show]Numbers 8:21 [21]And the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. (ESV)
; Numbers 31:23 [show]Numbers 31:23 [23]everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless, it shall also be purified with the water for impurity. And whatever cannot stand the fire, you shall pass through the water. (ESV)
). In the New Testament, purification is of a moral nature. Christians are called upon to rid themselves of those vices, passions and negative attitudes (1 Peter 2:1 [show]1 Peter 2:1 [2:1]So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. (ESV)
) that make it difficult to love others.

1:22 a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. The love indicated here by Peter is philadelphia and refers to love between Christian brothers and sisters. This love is marked by choices and not sentimentality.

1:22 earnestly. This means to stretch to the limits (Luke 22:44 [show]Luke 22:44 [44]And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.(1) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [22:44] Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44
; Acts 12:5 [show]Acts 12:5 [5]So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (ESV)
; Luke 10:27 [show]Luke 10:27 [27]And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (ESV)
). Only those whose “souls” have been “purified,” i.e., saved, have the capacity to love like this. Such love exhibits itself by meeting others at the point of their need (1 Peter 2:17 [show]1 Peter 2:17 [17]Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (ESV)
; 1 Peter 3:8 [show]1 Peter 3:8 [8]Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (ESV)
; 1 Peter 4:8 [show]1 Peter 4:8 [8]Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (ESV)
; John 13:34 [show]John 13:34 [34]A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (ESV)
; Romans 12:10 [show]Romans 12:10 [10]Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (ESV)
; Philippians 2:1-8 [show]Philippians 2:1-8 [2:1]So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2]complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3]Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4]Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5]Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,(1) [6]who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7]but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,(2) being born in the likeness of men. [8]And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:5] Or 'which was also in Christ Jesus' 2. [2:7] Greek 'bondservant'
; Hebrews 13:1 [show]Hebrews 13:1 [13:1]Let brotherly love continue. (ESV)
; 1 John 3:11 [show]1 John 3:11 [11]For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (ESV)
).

1:23 Imperishable vs. perishable seed. The word seed is here reminds the reader of life. There is life that comes to us from our human parents and it will eventually come to an end/perish. There is also a life that is imperishable/eternal that comes from God when we are “born again” or regenerated.

1:23 through the living and abiding word of God. Building on the seed and sowing images in the previous verses, the word of God AKA the Scriptures are described as alive and living in the believer. The followers of Jesus have been reborn through the living word, the gospel (1 Peter 1:3 [show]1 Peter 1:3 [3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (ESV)
; 1 Peter 2:2 [show]1 Peter 2:2 [2]Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- (ESV)
), and it is imperishable (1 Peter 1:24 [show]1 Peter 1:24 [24]for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
–25).

1:24–25. Here Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah 40:6-8 [show]Isaiah 40:6-8 [6]A voice says, "Cry!" And I said,(1) "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty(2) is like the flower of the field. [7]The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. [8]The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Footnotes 1. [40:6] Revocalization based on Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint, Vulgate; Masoretic Text 'And someone says' 2. [40:6] Or 'all its constancy'
(following the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint), where the word is the future message of salvation in the time when God would redeem his people Ssee also Isaiah 52:7-8 [show]Isaiah 52:7-8 [7]How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." [8]The voice of your watchmen--they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.
).

2:1 put away. This verb was used to describe taking off one’s clothes. They must strip off, like spoiled and dirty clothes, their old lifestyle.

2:1 all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These are terms that refer to attitudes that disrupt a community and make relationships difficult. Hypocrites are actors who pretend to be one thing while, in fact, they are concealing their true motives. Envy is jealousy of another’s place and privilege. Slander involves speaking evil of others when they are not there to defend themselves. They are to rid themselves of all those behaviors which work against brotherly love. The list Peter uses here is similar to other such vice lists in the New Testament (Romans 1:29-30 [show]Romans 1:29-30 [29]They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, [30]slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, (ESV)
; Ephesians 4:31 [show]Ephesians 4:31 [31]Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (ESV)
. The similarity of the wording in some of these early Christian“vice lists” suggests that there was a common baptismal liturgy used in the early church. It might also follow some teaching by Jesus no longer available to us.

2:2 desire the pure milk of the word. Spiritual growth is always marked by a craving for and a delight in God’s Word with the intensity with which a baby craves milk (Job 23:12 [show]Job 23:12 [12]I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
; Psalm 1:1-2 [show]Psalm 1:1-2 [1:1]Blessed is the man(1) who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; [2]but his delight is in the law(2) of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Footnotes 1. [1:1] The singular Hebrew word for 'man' ('ish') is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person; see preface 2. [1:2] Or 'instruction'
; Psalm 19:7-11 [show]Psalm 19:7-11 [7]The law of the LORD is perfect,(1) reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8]the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9]the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules(2) of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. [10]More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. [11]Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Footnotes 1. [19:7] Or 'blameless' 2. [19:9] Or 'just decrees'
; Psalm 119 [show]Psalm 119 [119:1](1) Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! [2]Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, [3]who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! [4]You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. [5]Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! [6]Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. [7]I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.(2) [8]I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! [9]How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. [10]With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! [11]I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. [12]Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! [13]With my lips I declare all the rules(3) of your mouth. [14]In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. [15]I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. [16]I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. [17]Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. [18]Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. [19]I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! [20]My soul is consumed with longing for your rules(4) at all times. [21]You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. [22]Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. [23]Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. [24]Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. [25]My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! [26]When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! [27]Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. [28]My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! [29]Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! [30]I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. [31]I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! [32]I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!(5) [33]Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.(6) [34]Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. [35]Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. [36]Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! [37]Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. [38]Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. [39]Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. [40]Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! [41]Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; [42]then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. [43]And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. [44]I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, [45]and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. [46]I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, [47]for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. [48]I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. [49]Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. [50]This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. [51]The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. [52]When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. [53]Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. [54]Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. [55]I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. [56]This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. [57]The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. [58]I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. [59]When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; [60]I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. [61]Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. [62]At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. [63]I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. [64]The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! [65]You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. [66]Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. [67]Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. [68]You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. [69]The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; [70]their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. [71]It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. [72]The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. [73]Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. [74]Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. [75]I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. [76]Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. [77]Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. [78]Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. [79]Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. [80]May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! [81]My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. [82]My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?" [83]For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. [84]How long must your servant endure?(7) When will you judge those who persecute me? [85]The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. [86]All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! [87]They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. [88]In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. [89]Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. [90]Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. [91]By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. [92]If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. [93]I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. [94]I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. [95]The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. [96]I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. [97]Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. [98]Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. [99]I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. [100]I understand more than the aged,(8) for I keep your precepts. [101]I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. [102]I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. [103]How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104]Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. [105]Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [106]I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. [107]I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! [108]Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. [109]I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. [110]The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. [111]Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. [112]I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.(9) [113]I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. [114]You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. [115]Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. [116]Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! [117]Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! [118]You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. [119]All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. [120]My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. [121]I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. [122]Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. [123]My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. [124]Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. [125]I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! [126]It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. [127]Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. [128]Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. [129]Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. [130]The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. [131]I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. [132]Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. [133]Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. [134]Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. [135]Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. [136]My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. [137]Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. [138]You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. [139]My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. [140]Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. [141]I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. [142]Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. [143]Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. [144]Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. [145]With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes. [146]I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. [147]I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. [148]My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. [149]Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. [150]They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. [151]But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true. [152]Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. [153]Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. [154]Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! [155]Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. [156]Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules. [157]Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. [158]I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. [159]Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. [160]The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. [161]Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. [162]I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. [163]I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. [164]Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. [165]Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. [166]I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments. [167]My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. [168]I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. [169]Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! [170]Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. [171]My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. [172]My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. [173]Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. [174]I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. [175]Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. [176]I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Footnotes 1. [119:1] This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter 2. [119:7] Or 'your just and righteous decrees'; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164 3. [119:13] Or 'all the just decrees' 4. [119:20] Or 'your just decrees'; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175 5. [119:32] Or 'for you set my heart free' 6. [119:33] Or 'keep it as my reward' 7. [119:84] Hebrew 'How many are the days of your servant'? 8. [119:100] Or 'the elders' 9. [119:112] Or 'statutes; the reward is eternal'
; Jeremiah 15:16 [show]Jeremiah 15:16 [16]Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
).

Reflection Questions:

1. What is a good test to see if you are really experiencing a change of heart (1 Peter 1:22 [show]1 Peter 1:22 [22]Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (ESV)
)?

2. What makes loving others deeply and actively possible (1 Peter 1:23-25 [show]1 Peter 1:23-25 [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. (ESV)
)?

3. How would you characterize the kind of love you have for others lately?

4. What is the “pure spiritual milk” we are to crave? In what way do you still need this milk?

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This month’s Free Audiobook- The Pilgrim’s Progress

Posted on June 3, 2008 by admin

ChristianAudio.com is offering of John Bunyan’s classic book Pilgrim’s Progress (10.5 hours) free in the month of June. This book is considered to be one of the classics of English literature and one of the finest examples of Christian devotional writing ever written. John Bunyan was a puritan who was imprisoned for twelve years for preaching the Gospel outside of the Church of England. Bunyan’s devotional writings offer great comfort to the reader because they point to the beauty of God and the cross of Christ.

Just use the code JUN2008 when checking out.

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Living with God in the Present Moment

Posted on June 2, 2008 by admin

In C.S. Lewis’s book The Screwtape Letters, senior demon Screwtape gives his nephew, a junior tempter named Wormwood advice on leading his human into damnation:

The humans live in time but our Enemy destines them to eternity. He therefore, I believe, wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the present…He would…have them continually concerned either with eternity (which means being concerned with Him) or with the Present—either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from Himself, or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure.”

“Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present… It is far better to make them live in the Future…thought about the Future inflames hope and fear. Also it is unknown to them, so that in making them think about it we make them think of unrealities. …Nearly all vices are rooted in the future. Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

See also Matthew 6:19-34 [show]Matthew 6:19-34 [19]"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust(1) destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20]but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21]For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [22]"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, [23]but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! [24]"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.(2) [25]"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26]Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27]And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?(3) [28]And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29]yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30]But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31]Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32]For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33]But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [34]"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [6:19] Or 'worm'; also verse 20 2. [6:24] Greek 'mammon', a Semitic word for money or possessions 3. [6:27] Or 'a single cubit to his stature'; a 'cubit' was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
& Philippians 4:4-7 [show]Philippians 4:4-7 [4]Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. [5]Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6]do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7]And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

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Wise Words

Posted on May 26, 2008 by admin

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.
Martin Luther

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.
Martin Luther

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
C.H. Spurgeon

Jesus is mighty to save, the best proof of which lies in the fact that He has saved you.
C.H. Spurgeon

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Bible Study for June 1: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Posted on May 25, 2008 by admin

Three Incentives for Holiness

Leviticus 19:1-2 [show]Leviticus 19:1-2 [19:1]And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (ESV)

Matthew 5:17-19 [show]Matthew 5:17-19 [17]"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18]For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19]Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (ESV)
& Matthew 5:48 [show]Matthew 5:48 [48]You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV)

1 Peter 1:13-21 [show]1 Peter 1:13-21 [13]Therefore, preparing your minds for action,(1) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [14]As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15]but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16]since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." [17]And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, [18]knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, [19]but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. [20]He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you [21]who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:13] Greek 'girding up the loins of your mind'

1:13 preparing your minds for action. Literally: gird up the loins of your mind which points to the ancient practice of gathering up one’s robes when needing to move in a hurry. In order to live as we should, we too must prepare ourselves; specifically we need clarity of mind. We must think about how we live and not merely react. This is a time for cool heads and focused action (Ephesians 6:14 [show]Ephesians 6:14 [14]Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (ESV)
; Colossians 3:2 [show]Colossians 3:2 [2]Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV)
).

1:15 you also be holy. See Leviticus 19:1-2 [show]Leviticus 19:1-2 [19:1]And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (ESV)
and Leviticus 11:44-15 [show]Leviticus 11:44-15:33 [44]For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. [45]For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." [46]This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, [47]to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten. [12:1]The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. [3]And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. [4]Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. [5]But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days. [6]"'And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, [7]and he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. [8]And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons,(1) one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'" [13:1]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [2]"When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous(2) disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests, [3]and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. [4]But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days. [5]And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut him up for another seven days. [6]And the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day, and if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only an eruption. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. [7]But if the eruption spreads in the skin, after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again before the priest. [8]And the priest shall look, and if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease. [9]"When a man is afflicted with a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest, [10]and the priest shall look. And if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling, [11]it is a chronic leprous disease in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not shut him up, for he is unclean. [12]And if the leprous disease breaks out in the skin, so that the leprous disease covers all the skin of the diseased person from head to foot, so far as the priest can see, [13]then the priest shall look, and if the leprous disease has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease; it has all turned white, and he is clean. [14]But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. [15]And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean. Raw flesh is unclean, for it is a leprous disease. [16]But if the raw flesh recovers and turns white again, then he shall come to the priest, [17]and the priest shall examine him, and if the disease has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce the diseased person clean; he is clean. [18]"If there is in the skin of one's body a boil and it heals, [19]and in the place of the boil there comes a white swelling or a reddish-white spot, then it shall be shown to the priest. [20]And the priest shall look, and if it appears deeper than the skin and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a case of leprous disease that has broken out in the boil. [21]But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall shut him up seven days. [22]And if it spreads in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a disease. [23]But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread, it is the scar of the boil, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. [24]"Or, when the body has a burn on its skin and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a spot, reddish-white or white, [25]the priest shall examine it, and if the hair in the spot has turned white and it appears deeper than the skin, then it is a leprous disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. [26]But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and it is no deeper than the skin, but has faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days, [27]and the priest shall examine him the seventh day. If it is spreading in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. [28]But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread in the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar of the burn. [29]"When a man or woman has a disease on the head or the beard, [30]the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, a leprous disease of the head or the beard. [31]And if the priest examines the itching disease and it appears no deeper than the skin and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for seven days, [32]and on the seventh day the priest shall examine the disease. If the itch has not spread, and there is in it no yellow hair, and the itch appears to be no deeper than the skin, [33]then he shall shave himself, but the itch he shall not shave; and the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for another seven days. [34]And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the itch, and if the itch has not spread in the skin and it appears to be no deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. [35]But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing, [36]then the priest shall examine him, and if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest need not seek for the yellow hair; he is unclean. [37]But if in his eyes the itch is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed and he is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. [38]"When a man or a woman has spots on the skin of the body, white spots, [39]the priest shall look, and if the spots on the skin of the body are of a dull white, it is leukoderma that has broken out in the skin; he is clean. [40]"If a man's hair falls out from his head, he is bald; he is clean. [41]And if a man's hair falls out from his forehead, he has baldness of the forehead; he is clean. [42]But if there is on the bald head or the bald forehead a reddish-white diseased area, it is a leprous disease breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead. [43]Then the priest shall examine him, and if the diseased swelling is reddish-white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprous disease in the skin of the body, [44]he is a leprous man, he is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean; his disease is on his head. [45]"The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip(3) and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean.' [46]He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp. [47]"When there is a case of leprous disease in a garment, whether a woolen or a linen garment, [48]in warp or woof of linen or wool, or in a skin or in anything made of skin, [49]if the disease is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin or in the warp or the woof or in any article made of skin, it is a case of leprous disease, and it shall be shown to the priest. [50]And the priest shall examine the disease and shut up that which has the disease for seven days. [51]Then he shall examine the disease on the seventh day. If the disease has spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in the skin, whatever be the use of the skin, the disease is a persistent leprous disease; it is unclean. [52]And he shall burn the garment, or the warp or the woof, the wool or the linen, or any article made of skin that is diseased, for it is a persistent leprous disease. It shall be burned in the fire. [53]"And if the priest examines, and if the disease has not spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof or in any article made of skin, [54]then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the disease, and he shall shut it up for another seven days. [55]And the priest shall examine the diseased thing after it has been washed. And if the appearance of the diseased area has not changed, though the disease has not spread, it is unclean. You shall burn it in the fire, whether the rot is on the back or on the front. [56]"But if the priest examines, and if the diseased area has faded after it has been washed, he shall tear it out of the garment or the skin or the warp or the woof. [57]Then if it appears again in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn with fire whatever has the disease. [58]But the garment, or the warp or the woof, or any article made of skin from which the disease departs when you have washed it, shall then be washed a second time, and be clean." [59]This is the law for a case of leprous disease in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, to determine whether it is clean or unclean. [14:1]The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, [3]and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, [4]the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live(4) clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. [5]And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh(5) water. [6]He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. [7]And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field. [8]And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. [9]And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean. [10]"And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah(6) of fine flour mixed with oil, and one log(7) of oil. [11]And the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. [12]And the priest shall take one of the male lambs and offer it for a guilt offering, along with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. [13]And he shall kill the lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary. For the guilt offering, like the sin offering, belongs to the priest; it is most holy. [14]The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. [15]Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand [16]and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle some oil with his finger seven times before the LORD. [17]And some of the oil that remains in his hand the priest shall put on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. [18]And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. Then the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD. [19]The priest shall offer the sin offering, to make atonement for him who is to be cleansed from his uncleanness. And afterward he shall kill the burnt offering. [20]And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean. [21]"But if he is poor and cannot afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and a log of oil; [22]also two turtledoves or two pigeons, whichever he can afford. The one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. [23]And on the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, before the LORD. [24]And the priest shall take the lamb of the guilt offering and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. [25]And he shall kill the lamb of the guilt offering. And the priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. [26]And the priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, [27]and shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD. [28]And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, in the place where the blood of the guilt offering was put. [29]And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the LORD. [30]And he shall offer, of the turtledoves or pigeons, whichever he can afford, [31]one(8) for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, along with a grain offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for him who is being cleansed. [32]This is the law for him in whom is a case of leprous disease, who cannot afford the offerings for his cleansing." [33]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [34]"When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession, [35]then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, 'There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.' [36]Then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to examine the disease, lest all that is in the house be declared unclean. And afterward the priest shall go in to see the house. [37]And he shall examine the disease. And if the disease is in the walls of the house with greenish or reddish spots, and if it appears to be deeper than the surface, [38]then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house and shut up the house seven days. [39]And the priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the disease has spread in the walls of the house, [40]then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the disease and throw them into an unclean place outside the city. [41]And he shall have the inside of the house scraped all around, and the plaster that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place outside the city. [42]Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones, and he shall take other plaster and plaster the house. [43]"If the disease breaks out again in the house, after he has taken out the stones and scraped the house and plastered it, [44]then the priest shall go and look. And if the disease has spread in the house, it is a persistent leprous disease in the house; it is unclean. [45]And he shall break down the house, its stones and timber and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them out of the city to an unclean place. [46]Moreover, whoever enters the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening, [47]and whoever sleeps in the house shall wash his clothes, and whoever eats in the house shall wash his clothes. [48]"But if the priest comes and looks, and if the disease has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, for the disease is healed. [49]And for the cleansing of the house he shall take two small birds, with cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop, [50]and shall kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water [51]and shall take the cedarwood and the hyssop and the scarlet yarn, along with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed and in the fresh water and sprinkle the house seven times. [52]Thus he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the fresh water and with the live bird and with the cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet yarn. [53]And he shall let the live bird go out of the city into the open country. So he shall make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean." [54]This is the law for any case of leprous disease: for an itch, [55]for leprous disease in a garment or in a house, [56]and for a swelling or an eruption or a spot, [57]to show when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law for leprous disease. [15:1]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [2]"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any man has a discharge from his body,(9) his discharge is unclean. [3]And this is the law of his uncleanness for a discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is blocked up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. [4]Every bed on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and everything on which he sits shall be unclean. [5]And anyone who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [6]And whoever sits on anything on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [7]And whoever touches the body of the one with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [8]And if the one with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [9]And any saddle on which the one with the discharge rides shall be unclean. [10]And whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. And whoever carries such things shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [11]Anyone whom the one with the discharge touches without having rinsed his hands in water shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [12]And an earthenware vessel that the one with the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. [13]"And when the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes. And he shall bathe his body in fresh water and shall be clean. [14]And on the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the LORD to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. [15]And the priest shall use them, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD for his discharge. [16]"If a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and be unclean until the evening. [17]And every garment and every skin on which the semen comes shall be washed with water and be unclean until the evening. [18]If a man lies with a woman and has an emission of semen, both of them shall bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening. [19]"When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. [20]And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. [21]And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [22]And whoever touches anything on which she sits shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [23]Whether it is the bed or anything on which she sits, when he touches it he shall be unclean until the evening. [24]And if any man lies with her and her menstrual impurity comes upon him, he shall be unclean seven days, and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean. [25]"If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. [26]Every bed on which she lies, all the days of her discharge, shall be to her as the bed of her impurity. And everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her menstrual impurity. [27]And whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [28]But if she is cleansed of her discharge, she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. [29]And on the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting. [30]And the priest shall use one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her before the LORD for her unclean discharge. [31]"Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst." [32]This is the law for him who has a discharge and for him who has an emission of semen, becoming unclean thereby; [33]also for her who is unwell with her menstrual impurity, that is, for anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and for the man who lies with a woman who is unclean. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [12:8] Septuagint 'two young pigeons' 2. [13:2] 'Leprosy' was a term for several skin diseases 3. [13:45] Or 'mustache' 4. [14:4] Or 'wild' 5. [14:5] Or 'running'; Hebrew 'living'; also verses 6, 50, 51, 52 6. [14:10] An 'ephah' was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters 7. [14:10] A 'log' was about 1/3 quart or 0.3 liter 8. [14:31] Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew 'afford, 31such as he can afford, one' 9. [15:2] Hebrew 'flesh'; also verse 3
. Israel was chosen, set apart, and called to be holy as God was holy and thus to live in a manner distinct from the ways of the nations. Christians glorify God best by reflecting His character (Matthew 5:48 [show]Matthew 5:48 [48]You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV)
; Ephesians 5:1 [show]Ephesians 5:1 [5:1]Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (ESV)
; Leviticus 11:44-15 [show]Leviticus 11:44-15:33 [44]For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. [45]For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." [46]This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, [47]to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten. [12:1]The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. [3]And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. [4]Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. [5]But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days. [6]"'And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, [7]and he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. [8]And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons,(1) one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'" [13:1]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [2]"When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous(2) disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests, [3]and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. [4]But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days. [5]And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut him up for another seven days. [6]And the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day, and if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only an eruption. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. [7]But if the eruption spreads in the skin, after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again before the priest. [8]And the priest shall look, and if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease. [9]"When a man is afflicted with a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest, [10]and the priest shall look. And if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling, [11]it is a chronic leprous disease in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not shut him up, for he is unclean. [12]And if the leprous disease breaks out in the skin, so that the leprous disease covers all the skin of the diseased person from head to foot, so far as the priest can see, [13]then the priest shall look, and if the leprous disease has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease; it has all turned white, and he is clean. [14]But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. [15]And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean. Raw flesh is unclean, for it is a leprous disease. [16]But if the raw flesh recovers and turns white again, then he shall come to the priest, [17]and the priest shall examine him, and if the disease has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce the diseased person clean; he is clean. [18]"If there is in the skin of one's body a boil and it heals, [19]and in the place of the boil there comes a white swelling or a reddish-white spot, then it shall be shown to the priest. [20]And the priest shall look, and if it appears deeper than the skin and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a case of leprous disease that has broken out in the boil. [21]But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall shut him up seven days. [22]And if it spreads in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a disease. [23]But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread, it is the scar of the boil, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. [24]"Or, when the body has a burn on its skin and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a spot, reddish-white or white, [25]the priest shall examine it, and if the hair in the spot has turned white and it appears deeper than the skin, then it is a leprous disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. [26]But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and it is no deeper than the skin, but has faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days, [27]and the priest shall examine him the seventh day. If it is spreading in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. [28]But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread in the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar of the burn. [29]"When a man or woman has a disease on the head or the beard, [30]the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, a leprous disease of the head or the beard. [31]And if the priest examines the itching disease and it appears no deeper than the skin and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for seven days, [32]and on the seventh day the priest shall examine the disease. If the itch has not spread, and there is in it no yellow hair, and the itch appears to be no deeper than the skin, [33]then he shall shave himself, but the itch he shall not shave; and the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for another seven days. [34]And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the itch, and if the itch has not spread in the skin and it appears to be no deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. [35]But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing, [36]then the priest shall examine him, and if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest need not seek for the yellow hair; he is unclean. [37]But if in his eyes the itch is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed and he is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. [38]"When a man or a woman has spots on the skin of the body, white spots, [39]the priest shall look, and if the spots on the skin of the body are of a dull white, it is leukoderma that has broken out in the skin; he is clean. [40]"If a man's hair falls out from his head, he is bald; he is clean. [41]And if a man's hair falls out from his forehead, he has baldness of the forehead; he is clean. [42]But if there is on the bald head or the bald forehead a reddish-white diseased area, it is a leprous disease breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead. [43]Then the priest shall examine him, and if the diseased swelling is reddish-white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprous disease in the skin of the body, [44]he is a leprous man, he is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean; his disease is on his head. [45]"The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip(3) and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean.' [46]He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp. [47]"When there is a case of leprous disease in a garment, whether a woolen or a linen garment, [48]in warp or woof of linen or wool, or in a skin or in anything made of skin, [49]if the disease is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin or in the warp or the woof or in any article made of skin, it is a case of leprous disease, and it shall be shown to the priest. [50]And the priest shall examine the disease and shut up that which has the disease for seven days. [51]Then he shall examine the disease on the seventh day. If the disease has spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in the skin, whatever be the use of the skin, the disease is a persistent leprous disease; it is unclean. [52]And he shall burn the garment, or the warp or the woof, the wool or the linen, or any article made of skin that is diseased, for it is a persistent leprous disease. It shall be burned in the fire. [53]"And if the priest examines, and if the disease has not spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof or in any article made of skin, [54]then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the disease, and he shall shut it up for another seven days. [55]And the priest shall examine the diseased thing after it has been washed. And if the appearance of the diseased area has not changed, though the disease has not spread, it is unclean. You shall burn it in the fire, whether the rot is on the back or on the front. [56]"But if the priest examines, and if the diseased area has faded after it has been washed, he shall tear it out of the garment or the skin or the warp or the woof. [57]Then if it appears again in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn with fire whatever has the disease. [58]But the garment, or the warp or the woof, or any article made of skin from which the disease departs when you have washed it, shall then be washed a second time, and be clean." [59]This is the law for a case of leprous disease in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, to determine whether it is clean or unclean. [14:1]The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2]"This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, [3]and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, [4]the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live(4) clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. [5]And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh(5) water. [6]He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. [7]And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field. [8]And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. [9]And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean. [10]"And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah(6) of fine flour mixed with oil, and one log(7) of oil. [11]And the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. [12]And the priest shall take one of the male lambs and offer it for a guilt offering, along with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. [13]And he shall kill the lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary. For the guilt offering, like the sin offering, belongs to the priest; it is most holy. [14]The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. [15]Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand [16]and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle some oil with his finger seven times before the LORD. [17]And some of the oil that remains in his hand the priest shall put on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. [18]And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. Then the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD. [19]The priest shall offer the sin offering, to make atonement for him who is to be cleansed from his uncleanness. And afterward he shall kill the burnt offering. [20]And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean. [21]"But if he is poor and cannot afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and a log of oil; [22]also two turtledoves or two pigeons, whichever he can afford. The one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. [23]And on the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, before the LORD. [24]And the priest shall take the lamb of the guilt offering and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. [25]And he shall kill the lamb of the guilt offering. And the priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. [26]And the priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, [27]and shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD. [28]And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, in the place where the blood of the guilt offering was put. [29]And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the LORD. [30]And he shall offer, of the turtledoves or pigeons, whichever he can afford, [31]one(8) for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, along with a grain offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for him who is being cleansed. [32]This is the law for him in whom is a case of leprous disease, who cannot afford the offerings for his cleansing." [33]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [34]"When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession, [35]then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, 'There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.' [36]Then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to examine the disease, lest all that is in the house be declared unclean. And afterward the priest shall go in to see the house. [37]And he shall examine the disease. And if the disease is in the walls of the house with greenish or reddish spots, and if it appears to be deeper than the surface, [38]then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house and shut up the house seven days. [39]And the priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the disease has spread in the walls of the house, [40]then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the disease and throw them into an unclean place outside the city. [41]And he shall have the inside of the house scraped all around, and the plaster that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place outside the city. [42]Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones, and he shall take other plaster and plaster the house. [43]"If the disease breaks out again in the house, after he has taken out the stones and scraped the house and plastered it, [44]then the priest shall go and look. And if the disease has spread in the house, it is a persistent leprous disease in the house; it is unclean. [45]And he shall break down the house, its stones and timber and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them out of the city to an unclean place. [46]Moreover, whoever enters the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening, [47]and whoever sleeps in the house shall wash his clothes, and whoever eats in the house shall wash his clothes. [48]"But if the priest comes and looks, and if the disease has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, for the disease is healed. [49]And for the cleansing of the house he shall take two small birds, with cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop, [50]and shall kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water [51]and shall take the cedarwood and the hyssop and the scarlet yarn, along with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed and in the fresh water and sprinkle the house seven times. [52]Thus he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the fresh water and with the live bird and with the cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet yarn. [53]And he shall let the live bird go out of the city into the open country. So he shall make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean." [54]This is the law for any case of leprous disease: for an itch, [55]for leprous disease in a garment or in a house, [56]and for a swelling or an eruption or a spot, [57]to show when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law for leprous disease. [15:1]The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, [2]"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any man has a discharge from his body,(9) his discharge is unclean. [3]And this is the law of his uncleanness for a discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is blocked up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. [4]Every bed on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and everything on which he sits shall be unclean. [5]And anyone who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [6]And whoever sits on anything on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [7]And whoever touches the body of the one with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [8]And if the one with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [9]And any saddle on which the one with the discharge rides shall be unclean. [10]And whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. And whoever carries such things shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [11]Anyone whom the one with the discharge touches without having rinsed his hands in water shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [12]And an earthenware vessel that the one with the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. [13]"And when the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes. And he shall bathe his body in fresh water and shall be clean. [14]And on the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the LORD to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. [15]And the priest shall use them, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD for his discharge. [16]"If a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and be unclean until the evening. [17]And every garment and every skin on which the semen comes shall be washed with water and be unclean until the evening. [18]If a man lies with a woman and has an emission of semen, both of them shall bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening. [19]"When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. [20]And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. [21]And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [22]And whoever touches anything on which she sits shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [23]Whether it is the bed or anything on which she sits, when he touches it he shall be unclean until the evening. [24]And if any man lies with her and her menstrual impurity comes upon him, he shall be unclean seven days, and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean. [25]"If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. [26]Every bed on which she lies, all the days of her discharge, shall be to her as the bed of her impurity. And everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her menstrual impurity. [27]And whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. [28]But if she is cleansed of her discharge, she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. [29]And on the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting. [30]And the priest shall use one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her before the LORD for her unclean discharge. [31]"Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst." [32]This is the law for him who has a discharge and for him who has an emission of semen, becoming unclean thereby; [33]also for her who is unwell with her menstrual impurity, that is, for anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and for the man who lies with a woman who is unclean. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [12:8] Septuagint 'two young pigeons' 2. [13:2] 'Leprosy' was a term for several skin diseases 3. [13:45] Or 'mustache' 4. [14:4] Or 'wild' 5. [14:5] Or 'running'; Hebrew 'living'; also verses 6, 50, 51, 52 6. [14:10] An 'ephah' was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters 7. [14:10] A 'log' was about 1/3 quart or 0.3 liter 8. [14:31] Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew 'afford, 31such as he can afford, one' 9. [15:2] Hebrew 'flesh'; also verse 3
; Leviticus 18:30 [show]Leviticus 18:30 [30]So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God." (ESV)
; Leviticus 19:2 [show]Leviticus 19:2 [2]"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (ESV)
; Leviticus 20:7 [show]Leviticus 20:7 [7]Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. (ESV)
; Leviticus 21:6 [show]Leviticus 21:6 [6]They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they offer the LORD's food offerings, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. (ESV)
–8).

1:17 conduct yourselves with fear. A reverent fear and sense of awe.

1:18 redeemed. To buy someone back from bondage; to set free by paying a ransom. “Redemption” was a technical term for money paid to buy back a prisoner of war. Here it is used of the price paid to buy our freedom from the bondage to sin and death. Redemption by the blood of a lamb recalls the annual Passover celebration, by which Jewish people commemorated their redemption from slavery in Egypt, through the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1 [show]Exodus 12:1 [12:1]The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, (ESV)
–13; Exodus 15:13 [show]Exodus 15:13 [13]"You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
; Psalm 78:35 [show]Psalm 78:35 [35]They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.
; Acts 20:28 [show]Acts 20:28 [28]Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,(1) which he obtained with his own blood.(2) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [20:28] Some manuscripts 'of the Lord' 2. [20:28] Or 'with the blood of his Own'
; Romans 3:24 [show]Romans 3:24 [24]and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (ESV)
; Galatians 3:13 [show]Galatians 3:13 [13]Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- (ESV)
; Galatians 4:4-5 [show]Galatians 4:4-5 [4]But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5]to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)
; Ephesians 1:7 [show]Ephesians 1:7 [7]In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (ESV)
; Colossians 1:14 [show]Colossians 1:14 [14]in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)
; Titus 2:14 [show]Titus 2:14 [14]who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)
; Hebrews 9:11-17 [show]Hebrews 9:11-17 [11]But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,(1) then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12]he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13]For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify(2) for the purification of the flesh, [14]how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our(3) conscience from dead works to serve the living God. [15]Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.(4) [16]For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. [17]For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [9:11] Some manuscripts 'good things to come' 2. [9:13] Or 'For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies' 3. [9:14] Some manuscripts 'your' 4. [9:15] The Greek word means both 'covenant' and 'will'; also verses 16, 17
).

1:20 foreordained. God planned the redemption of sinners through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:23 [show]Acts 2:23 [23]this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (ESV)
; Acts 4:27-28 [show]Acts 4:27-28 [27]for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [28]to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (ESV)
; 2 Timothy 1:9 [show]2 Timothy 1:9 [9]who saved us and called us to(1) a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,(2) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:9] Or 'with' 2. [1:9] Greek 'before times eternal'
).

1:21 gave Him glory. At the ascension God returned Christ to the glory that He had with Him before the world began (Luke 24:51 [show]Luke 24:51 [51]While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (ESV)
–53; John 17:4-5 [show]John 17:4-5 [4]I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. [5]And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (ESV)
; Acts 1:9 [show]Acts 1:9 [9]And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (ESV)
–11; Philippians 2:9 [show]Philippians 2:9 [9]Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (ESV)
–11; Hebrews 1:1 [show]Hebrews 1:1 [1:1]Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, (ESV)
–3; Hebrews 2:9 [show]Hebrews 2:9 [9]But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (ESV)
).

Reflection Questions:

1. What does word “holy” or “holiness” means to you? Is it more about what you don’t do (Avoiding drinking, smoking, watching porn?) or is it more about what you do (Carrying out acts of mercy)?

2. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter urged his readers to live holy lives. What reasons does he give?

1 Peter 1:14-16 [show]1 Peter 1:14-16 [14]As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15]but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16]since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (ESV)
:

1 Peter 17 [show]ERROR: No passage found for your query.
:

1 Peter 18-19 [show]ERROR: No passage found for your query.
:

(See also: Leviticus 11:44 [show]Leviticus 11:44 [44]For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. (ESV)
–45; Leviticus 18:30 [show]Leviticus 18:30 [30]So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God." (ESV)
; Leviticus 19:2 [show]Leviticus 19:2 [2]"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. (ESV)
; Matthew 5:48 [show]Matthew 5:48 [48]You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV)
; Ephesians 5:1 [show]Ephesians 5:1 [5:1]Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (ESV)
).

3. How does Peter’s call to holiness in this passage challenge you to change how you live out your life at home, work, church or in your neighborhood?

4. What does it mean to “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” (v. 17)? What do you think it would be like for you to live your life as a stranger you at home, work, or in your neighborhood?

5. How can focusing on what Jesus has done for you (1 Peter 18-21 [show]ERROR: No passage found for your query.
) help you understand what it means to live a life marked by holiness?

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Security with God

Posted on May 23, 2008 by admin

“What is the basis for our security with God? How do we know that he listens to our prayers and forgives our sins and takes care of us each day?…We get fearful and anxious because our default thought pattern is that God will do his part if we do ours. The reality is, however, that there is no if. God has already done his part by sending his Son, and in so doing he completed forever our eternal security and adoption into his family. God hates our attempts to earn his favor, not only because they deny the finished work of Jesus, but also because those attempts keep us from enjoying his fellowship.

Trust: A Godly Woman’s Adornment by Lydia Brownback

You can browse this book online and download several pages in PDF format by going to the Crossways web site… Click HERE

Crossways in one of favorite publishing houses. One of the benefits of ordering from them online is that they allow you to download a PDF copy of most books you order for personal use which means you can start reading them right away and have a copy of the book on you computer.

Posted in book review, wisdom | Tagged security, trust | Comments Off

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