Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your email inbox.
You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
1 Peter 2:18-20
18 Servants [oiketes], be
subject [hupotasso] to your masters [despotes] with [en] all [pas] fear [phobos]; not [ou] only [monon] to the good [agathos] and [kai] gentle [epieikes], but [alla] also [kai] to the froward [skolios].
19 For [gar] this [touto] is thankworthy [charis], if
[ei] a man [tis]
for [dia] conscience [suneidesis] toward God [theos] endure [hupophero] grief [lupe], suffering [pascho] wrongfully [adikos].
20 For [gar] what [poios] glory [kleos] is it, if [ei], when [kai] ye be buffeted [kolaphizo] for your faults [hamartano],
ye shall take it patiently [hupomeno]? but [alla] if [ei], when ye do well [agathopoieo], and [kai] suffer [pascho] for it, ye take it patiently [hupomeno], this [touto] is acceptable
[charis] with [para] God [theos]. KJV-Interlinear
18 Servants, be submissive to
your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but
also to those who are unreasonable. 19
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up
under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure
it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you
patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. NASB
We all have a master of
some sort.God is our ultimate master,
of course, but while on this earth, we all must serve someone in order to
function in this life.
Whether we are poor and
have to work for another, whether we are rich and discover our obligations to
society, we all will sooner or later discover Gods intended place for our
lives.
But remember one
important thing.In this world, in this
physical world, we are all equal in many respects.The most dramatic equality comes after our
death when all physical bodies succumb to decay.The rich decay just as the poor, the talented
decay just as those of us who are common.
But while alive, we all
have been put in a place not because one is better than another, but because
God has ordained a system on this earth, where if we follow that system, namely
authority and hierarchy, then peace, and prosperity, and the sustaining powers
of the world will function properly.When there is peace and relative prosperity, then there is an
environment whereby we may all advance in our spiritual lives.
And that is the ultimate
goal of life in this world, advancement to spiritual maturity.
So, God has put into
place systems by which humanity can function and thrive.
But of course the sin
nature comes along and tries to improve on that system.The sin nature comes along and sets up
categories, and classes of people, and then prejudice and bias, and unfair
practices enter into the picture, and life then becomes difficult, and
spiritual growth gets set on the back burner of priorities.
Instead of pursuing our
spiritual assets, we begin pursuing our worldly assets.Labor wants authority.Social activities want their entertainment.Family relations fall apart.Male and female roles reverse.
Life is difficult, and
people, instead of pursuing doctrine, begin pursuing vindictive lives.And the struggle to get mine becomes the
priority.
So again, God reminds
us through Peter s words, to be satisfied with the life that God gives us.And not only be satisfied, but pursue our spiritual
life, because in spiritual growth there is great reward, not only for life now,
but especially in eternity.
Anything you pursue in
this world is temporary and will eventually be lost.
Anything you pursue in
this world, and anything you pursue through sin, will never be rewarded.
Only Bible doctrine
combined with your spiritual growth will be the recipient of reward.
Peter asks this
question, What credit is there, when you are treated harshly (or think you are
being treated harshly), and then follow that with sin?
None!
Even in suffering and
humble situations, God gives you a chance to win victory, but that requires
your total self-control and poise, through doctrine.
So what that someone
else has a higher position than you.So
what that they are less qualified than you.
But then God placed
them there, and you not there.Is God
wrong, and you right?Be careful now.
God set up laws of
divine establishment.Those laws were
designed to provide stability in society.That stability establishes an environment for spiritual growth.
All plans that run
against Gods establishment principles, remove the stability of establishment
and thus interfere with spiritual growth opportunities.Is that not Satan s plan?Is this something that you really want to
support?
So, no matter what your
position is in life, focus on your spiritual growth and not on your embarrassing
position. Do not compare yourself with others who have more, or with others who
have less.
Do not be jealous and
do not be envious, and do not be self-righteous.You are no better than they, and they are no
better than you.All flesh is worthless
dust, and all worthless dust is, well, worthless.
Your purpose here in
this life, is not to gain the whole world, but to complete your soul.
Your purpose here in
this life, is not to prove yourself better than everyone else, but to prepare
yourself for the next life, where God will provide infinitely better things
for you.
Gain a billion, become
a ruler, and be rejected by God and what do you really have?Nothing.
Be yourself, advance in
your spiritual life, and allow God to use you as He sees fit in this life, and
then receive phenomenal reward in eternity, and then you will have something
real, infinite and eternal to celebrate.
Previous Page
Table of Contents
Donation
Next Page
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
If you enjoy these Bible Studies, please consider making a Donation
Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your inbox.