Because of Our Salvation - Part II
I. Because of our salvation, we’re to love our brothers. *
[ “If we try to build unity in the church on the basis of our first birth, we will fail; but if we build unity on the basis of the new birth, we will succeed.”[1] ]
1. As with all real love, true brotherly love is a result of salvation.
( 1 Peter 1:22-25; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 10:14-15; Titus 3:5-7;
Hebrews 4:1-2, 11-13; 1 John 3:14 ) (1) (2)*
[ “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth…” ESV Past perfect tense – completed work. Obedience – compliance, submission. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law…” ]
The Enduring Word
2. *Hypocrisy should be absent in brotherly love. ( 1 Peter 1:22 )
[ “…for a sincere love of the brethren…” Sincere – literally, not hypocritical. Love – GR philadelphia. Brotherly love because of our common second birth. ]
3. *Loving our brothers is a choice we make.
[ “…love…” Love – GR agapao. Agape love because of our differences. ]
4. *It’s our duty to fervently love our brothers from the heart. ( Luke 22:41-44 )
[ Jesus sweating drops of blood – sacrificial, intense. Fervently – to stretch out the hand. ]
II. Because of our salvation, we should have a craving for God’s Word.
[ Long – intensely desire. ]
1. Continuing to eliminate sin in our lives stimulates our desire for God’s Word. ( Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Peter 2:1 )
[ Putting aside – stripping off soiled garments. ]
a. Malice – the harboring of evil thoughts against another. ( 1 Corinthians 5:8, 14:20; Ephesians 4:31 )
[ Wickedness. Nourishes antagonism, builds up grudges, and secretly hopes that revenge, harm, or tragedy will happen to another. ]
b. Deceit – tricking others for personal gain. ( Mark 7:21-23; Acts 13:8-10 )
[ Falsifies income tax returns, cheats on exams, lies about age, bribes officials, and pulls shady deals in business. Can’t serve God and wealth. ]
c. Hypocrisy – trying to fool others into thinking that you’re someone you’re really not. ( Mark 12:14-17 )
[ Pretends to be happily married when his home is a battlefield; spiritual on Sundays but as carnal as a goat on weekdays; pretends interest in others but his motives are selfish. ]
d. Envy – jealousy over another’s advantages or prosperity. ( Matthew 27:18; Titus 3:3 )
e. Slander – attempting to make yourself look good by tearing down the character of another.
[ Literally, speaking against. ]
Slander
2. Recognize that God’s Word provides powerful spiritual nourishment. ( Psalm 1, 119; 1 Peter 1:10-12, 2:2-3 )
[ “…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation…” Word – GR logikos, pertaining to reason or logic; logical. Long – intensely desire. Mentioned 42 times in Psalm 119 alone. Plus, statutes and commandments. ]
a. It’s the Truth! ( Psalm 119:130, 160; John 14:6 )
b. We learn what it means to fear God. ( Psalm 119:11, 38 )
c. The Bible teaches us about moral righteousness. ( Psalm 119:9, 11, 105 )
d. Comfort and hope and strength are found in God’s Word. ( Psalm 119:25, 28, 49, 76 )
HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED BECAUSE OF YOUR SALVATION?
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[1]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt., 1 Pe 1:22. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989.