Elect Lady's Corner

As we continue our study with Peter, the rock, he may have started off as a man building his house upon sand; very impulsive, assertive, ambitious, and direct which often got him into trouble, causing an unstable foundation. But, in the epistle of I Peter, we see Peter transformed from the sandy Peter to the rock Peter; that not only fortified him but strengthened the entire body of Christ in his letters. 

As we enter into Chapter 4, Peter reminded us, if Christ was willing to suffer for us in the flesh or His human nature, we should have the same resolution to fortify our minds likewise. So, the duties of a Believer should be twofold: 1) not to live our lives for the lust (or desires) of men, but 2) to strive to do the will of God. Peter emphasized just as we served sin and Satan wholeheartedly in our past life, we should now serve the living God faithfully and wholeheartedly. 

When you have truly become born again, there should be some visible changes. You should no longer run the same courses, or with the same companions you ran with before your conversion. Verse 6 referred to those that died during Noah’s time stating that because there was no law given or the gospel of Christ was not preached to them, Jesus went down to hell and preached to them giving them the opportunity to receive salvation and be partakers in the Resurrection of Christ. 

Apostle Paul brings it out even further in Acts 17:30 which said: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at (or overlooked); but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” But, Peter’s greatest commandment to the body of Christ is to love one another because it is love that will cover a multitude of sins. Each one of us should use whatever gift God has given us to serve as stewards of God, serving cheerfully without grudging because freely you have received and freely you should give back from the heart. 

Whatever you are doing or saying if it does not glorify God, then you should not be doing it! Peter admonished Believers that you will suffer for being a Christian. But, don’t think it strange or be discouraged because of the suffering, especially when the sufferings are fiery trials (or severe testing) that attack you. The suffering does not come to destroy you but to prove you. 

But Peter said your response to the trials should be to rejoice; don’t be depressed, because these trials make you partners with Christ in His sufferings, which means you will be rewarded with exceeding joy as you share in His glory. But make sure you are suffering for Christ’s sake and not for your sake, because you have sinned and brought this chastening upon yourself. 

Remember, if judgment will first begin with the people of God who have been entrusted with the Word of God and God judges them; accordingly, what will be the terrible fate that awaits those who refuse to obey the Word of God! Peter then left us with the famous scripture in I Peter 4:18 that said: “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  So, if you are suffering for Christ’s sake, continue to do what is right and the Faithful God we serve will be faithful in keeping all His promises to you.

Chapter 5 The Apostle Peter gave directions in this chapter to the elders or pastors of the church. He started out by giving his credentials that he also was an elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and one who would be a partaker of Christ’s glory at His return. Here, Peter instructed them how to behave themselves as elders or Pastors towards the flock of God. Peter gave the Pastors 3 distinct responsibilities: 1) To feed the flock of God. 

2) lead them in love because they care for God’s sheep 3) Don’t do it as a business to make money for their personal gain. The Pastor must not perform his duties under constraint or compulsion, but he must do it with a willing heart and a sincere heart to please God. A Pastor must also make sure he presents himself as the under shepherd and not the Chief Shepherd, not lording over God’s people. 

A Pastor should also lead by example and not by force exemplifying what it means to live a life according to the word of God in holiness and righteous. And if a Pastor does this, when the Chief Shepherd returns, he will receive a crown of glory that shall never fade away or be taken from him. Let’s stop here and pick up next week at the ELC as the Apostle Peter addresses the benefits of submission to elders and those in authority. 

It’s 2022 and I’m All In! Let’s Keep It Moving!