Proclaiming Truth
The Word of God reminds us who we are, where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we’re going. The spiritual battle rages all around us. When we’re in the center of the will of God, we’re in the calm eye of the spiritual hurricane.
In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter wrote in similar times: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”. God himself has chosen us. The purpose is that we should show forth the praises of His glory… to be a witness of his love, mercy, and grace.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. He has made us righteous in Christ… for Jesus Christ who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. Therefore be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Peter 2:10 continues, “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
God has called us as aliens and foreigners in a world of darkness. We may be natural born citizens of the United States. However, we’re spiritually born-again citizens of heaven. We have been born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God that liveth and abideth forever.
Because we have been called into His righteousness through Christ, we’re to abstain from fleshly lusts. Lusts are “overdesires”….. anything that we desire over our desire to walk in fellowship with our Lord. The first of the Ten Commandments says in the KJV: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” The literal translation of the Aramaic text is, “thou shalt have no other gods between your face and my face.”
The world speaks against Christians for being “intolerant.” They are tolerant of the evil of this world. However they are intolerant of God’s righteous standard of His revealed word. John 3:20-21 says, “he who doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. But he who doeth truth cometh to. the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God.”
1 Peter 2:13 continues: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:”
We’re encouraged to submit to the ordinances of man. Righteous ordinances are for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of those who do well. The freedom we have is to use our liberty not as servants of men, but as servants of God. In doing well, we will put to silence the evil of foolish men. According to Romans 12, be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We have a moment by moment decision to do the right thing. The right thing is to do as Jesus would do. In. Jesus’ words, “know ye not that I must be about my father’s business?”
Continuing in 1 Peter 2:16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
When we suffer wrongly for the sake of righteousness, this fulfills Jesus’ exhortation on the sermon on the mount… blessed are they when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven. Testing produces a testimony for God.
It’s easy to praise God when everything goes well with us in this world. However, we are not of this world. We may suffer wrongly in this world. God’s will is that we do the right thing with a heart of love for God despite being suffered wrongs. Jesus Christ himself suffered to bear our wrongs…. For God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. Even though we were unworthy of his love and grace and deserving of death, he sent his Son to bear the death we deserved.
What is God’s plan? Ye who were dead in trespasses and sins whom God has made righteous through Jesus’ payment for our sins: you are God’s plan. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
Psalm 37:1-5 says, “FRET not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
There is much evil in this world. However, despite the darkness of the world around us, we can live in the light of the truth of His word.
God’s righteous judgement will prevail in the end. According to Psalm 37:14-15: “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.”“Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
Therefore the righteous humbly wait on the Lord. Psalm 37-6-8 says, And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
God is still Sovreign overall. Despite the darkness of this world he will sustain the righteous according to Psalm 37:23-24.
23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”
These verses in Psalm 37 confirm the truth of Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness…
… that we may be to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
