Prescription for Life and Godliness
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
This is a continuation of what Peter started back in chapter 2, verse 1.
Have these things!!
Have these things!!
Peter closes this section with a list of behaviors that we are to follow.
This is a checklist of behaviors that are to be followed, you will find that they cover all situations of life.
This list is directed towards all people.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Unity of Mind-like minded, being united in the same mindset as another.
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Theology matters!!!!
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
sympathetic (feelings) — sharing the feelings of others; especially feelings of sorrow or anguish.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
brother loving — characterized by love for fellow-believers as brothers or sisters in God’s family.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
tenderhearted ⇔ good bowels — being compassionate or tenderhearted; conceived of as one’s compassionate, internal feature known as the bowels being good.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
humble-minded — marked by meek or modest thoughts about oneself.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Do Not Do This, Instead Do This!!
Do Not Do This, Instead Do This!!
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Peter moves from characteristics (vs. 8)to behaviors (vs. 9).
This is another reminder of the commands in chapter two verses 20-21.
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. 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.
The word for evil used in verse 9 is denoting an internal sense of evil. The idea is that evil people are doing this, not just merely an evil act. This is deliberate evil committed against believers.
The word used for revile, is conveying abusive words to damage a person’s reputation.
This includes false accusations.
Peter is not diminishing the evil acts of others nor the reviling acts against us.
He is telling us how we are to respond.
We are called to bless these people!
to bless (favor) — to invoke (or enact) divine favor, often implying a positive disposition or kind actions toward the recipient.
This can also include speaking well of a person and even praising them.
bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are called to bless others. This not optional, it is a command.
to be summoned (state) — to be or become subject to an authoritative demand for one’s presence or participation.
There is a promise in being obedient in this behavior.
This is What God Expects!
This is What God Expects!
For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
God expects this behavior of us, because He modeled it for us, when we were the ones who spoke evil and deceit of Him.
The life that is described here is not just an existence, but a life of joy. What we would describe as “living”, not “existing.”
Not only no lies, but no guile, no deceit, no shuffling. Say to a man’s face all that you say behind his back. You will soon be in trouble if you have two tales to tell, one in his presence and the other in his absence. But if you are free from “policy”—from “knowing how to play your cards,” as the world says—then it shall be seen that you have one of the attributes of a true Christian. If you keep your lips, that they speak no guile, people will know where to find you. And they will want to find you, for such men are always in demand.
Charles Spurgeon
We must not just desire peace, but actively chase after it.
This is the Consequence
This is the Consequence
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Actions have consequences, good or bad.
Verse 12, shows both the good and bad consequences.
Righteous:
God’s eyes and ears on us.
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord,
and he ponders all his paths.
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Evil:
God’s face against us.
For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
The Lord himself has scattered them;
he will regard them no more;
no honor was shown to the priests,
no favor to the elders.
And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them.