1Peter 5:2-4 comments: pastoral authority

2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Here, an elder, and we can presume this elder is a bishop, or what we would today call a pastor, is commanded to feed the people under his spiritual care. This is not about a physical meal but about feeding them the word of God, about feeding them spiritual things. The words of God are often symbolized as food. In the Old Testament;

Deuteronomy 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

And in the New by Jesus Christ Himself;

Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Job, in the book written further back in antiquity than when Moses penned the first five books of the Bible, it is said;

Job 12:11  Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

Job 34:3  For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

Notice how Jeremiah refers to the word spoken to Him by God.

Jeremiah 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

 

This is a common thread in the Bible. Prophets, at times, are literally told to eat literal scrolls of words. Here is Ezekiel;

Ezekiel 2:8  But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9  And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10  And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

    3:1 ¶  Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2  So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3  And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

And John of the Revelation;

Revelation 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

The elder is to take the oversight of feeding the word of God to the flock, not being forced but willingly, with constraint also carrying with it a certain restriction, not just being forced to do something. No pastor should feel restricted by what he is to preach, as long as what he is saying is from the Scripture and faithful to it. They are called to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God.

1Corinthians 4:1 ¶  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

In this, Peter emphasizes that an elder’s desire of the ministry must not be for financial gain, making merchandise of the gospel. It is not wrong, certainly, for a pastor to be paid a salary even though early Baptists in America, which churches were controlled by the congregations rather than a single pastor acting as master of ceremonies and authority over all church business, did not usually pay their pastors a salary and they had to have secular employment like farming to maintain themselves.

1Timothy 5:17 ¶  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

But Paul also emphasizes this fact, that the man who wishes to pursue the office of a bishop or a deacon must not be greedy for financial gain.

1Timothy 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;…8 ¶  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Titus 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

So, a young man who is primarily interested in money should direct his attention to the business world, not the ministry over a church, in order to shear the sheep, so to speak, and a congregation had better beware of men seeking the spiritual oversight who appear to have a love of fine things, clothing, cars, and houses. Be warned of that and be warned of the strutting peacock in an expensive suit driving the pricey car who is trying to win your favor.

A ready mind indicates a willingness as did not by constraint. So, this elder willingly assumes the oversight of the flock and not for the purpose of fleecing them financially but to feed them spiritually.

Regarding filthy lucre, there is a culture among certain Independent Baptist churches, where the pastor is completely in charge, not to consider themselves as needing to be accountable for financial matters to the congregation. When a pastor is an honest and humble man this doesn’t usually lead to excess but if the pastor is weak in that regard many abuses can occur. Transparency in financial dealings is one essential in the need to abstain from all appearance of evil and creating situations that make even their good works on behalf of the church to appear otherwise.

Honesty requires that you make yourself accountable and your dealings on behalf of Christ transparent even when you feel it’s not necessary.  This builds trust and takes the edge off of lesser problems that have more to do with personality as secretiveness and withholding information produce  mistrust when there is none warranted. Problems in other aspects of the ministry can be blown way out of proportion easily when there is a lack of transparency in financial matters. Transparency can be as simple as being open and forthcoming when questioned, not necessarily passing out balance sheets quarterly.

Peter goes on to reveal that the leadership model of an elder, and in this case my assumption is as a reference to an elder that rules, a pastor today, is one of setting an example or model to follow, not of being a dictator or tyrant over the congregation. I have heard that in some fundamentalist congregations that submissive persons will even get approval from their pastor for when they can take vacation from work to go visit family or what kind of car they are permitted to buy. I’m not talking about just being considerate when you hold a position in the church organization. I’m talking about getting permission. Women raising children alone might be treated like secondary wives to the pastor and he assumes the right to dictate their behavior and activities and that of their children because the woman has no husband which is not the same as helping or giving guidance to someone who is overwhelmed and asks for help, or even mentoring a young person. These kinds of things go way beyond taking spiritual oversight of the flock and are the foundation of many abuses and, in some cases, moral and legal crimes.

When you quit your job because your pastor doesn’t like your work schedule then something is very, very wrong with your spiritual walk with Christ. When you abandon your spouse, children, and grandchildren because the pastor demands all of your free time there is a sickness there that is not of Christ.

Cults can be avoided by following a Biblical model. A pastor assumes a role of spiritual leadership and for that he is responsible to Christ. To assume the role of a tyrant or an abuser is not what Christ wants. When a Christian abandons family and employment to follow a pastor who has moved across the country to a more financially lucrative pastoral position and encouraged him to follow he has disconnected himself from devotion to Christ and has chosen the cult of a mere egotistical man.

Leadership in the pastorate is not control. It is leadership by example. Nicolaitanism, victory over the laity, which we have come to understand is a separate class of priest-like bishops who are dictators and beyond accountability is something Jesus said he hates in Revelation 2:6, 15.

That being said, of course the pastor must call out sin and hold the congregation accountable for doctrine, moral behavior, and the example they set. He must teach God’s word faithfully. He must be a faithful steward of God’s mysteries. This cannot be with any compromise. But, he must be humble and, inasmuch as he is able, be willing to sacrifice and show mercy like Christ.  He should be an example to his congregation, unwavering in his devotion, and solid in his Biblical knowledge. This can only be gained by reading the Bible prayerfully over and over again. A man who has read the Bible many times and studied it carefully, cross-referencing is more fit to be a pastor, all other things being equal, than a man who has several seminary degrees but has not let God speak to him through the entire Bible daily.

Again, the words of Paul regarding a bishop and a deacon;

1Timothy 3:1 ¶  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

    8 ¶  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:5 ¶  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

    6 ¶  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

But, remember, the pastor of the first century was involved in a small church body that met in a house and the organizational problems of today’s church that meets in a separate building set apart for that purpose such as insurance, incorporation, tax-exempt status, meeting building codes for public usages, and unbelievers working into the congregation based on a false conversion experience would not likely have been important issues for them.

1Peter 5:1 comments: an elder

1 ¶  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

First, we need to establish for our understanding what an elder is. We know from our language that an elder is an older person who is hopefully wiser by virtue of his or her age. Paul commanded Timothy to show them certain respect.

1Timothy 5:1  Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2  The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Do you see how elder is contrasted with younger in those two verses showing the definition there? Some elders are in authority in the church. Of those, some do preaching and teaching.

1Timothy 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Paul ordained such elders in every city, for instance in Crete, to oversee the churches that met in peoples’ homes, as churches did in the first century.

Titus 1:5  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

It follows then that a bishop is an elder who leads a congregation. He must be an elder member of the congregation because the admonition against him being a novice in the faith is clearly mentioned.

1Timothy 3:6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

A bishop would have been then what today we call a pastor, although the meaning of pastor in the first century was a teacher.

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

By the context here, Peter is referring to elders who spiritually rule over the congregation, who have oversight of the Christian’s faith to ensure that sound doctrine is preached and a good example of Christ is set.

Peter establishes his credibility, not only as an elder, but a witness to Christ’s suffering and to His transfiguration on the mount. See Mark 9 and Matthew 17.  Peter is an elder worth listening to and now is about to give a warning and instructions that will not sit well with fundamentalist pastors today in many cases. If you’re thinking, “uh-oh,” you’re right.

1Peter 4:12-19 comments: suffering for the right reason

12 ¶  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Peter tells these Jewish Christians not to shocked at the persecution they are apparently about to suffer. Remember, he already said that the end times were upon them. These verses would be comforting to many Christians in today’s world. They may not sink in to American Christians because we have gone along so easily with the culture we don’t know what persecution is. Americans honor the civil religion faithfully, enjoy the same entertainments, and the same lifestyles as nonbelieving Americans so there is really little difference in our daily behavior from an atheist who lives next door. Christians in the first century had to and in other countries today have to establish their identity by refusing to go along with the world and are subjected to horrible persecution like murder, rape, loss of employment, forced migration and other things because of it. An American Christian thinks they’ve been persecuted because someone said something unkind about them or to them. It is absurd. The most real persecution a Christian receives today will probably come from their own church. Churches that are abusive are more common than persecution for your faith, in America.

Peter warns them about a fiery trial they will face and tells them not to be shocked by it, as if it was not to be expected. When suffering for Christ, they are partaker’s of  Christ’s sufferings and will have joy when Christ’s glory is revealed.

Philippians 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2Corinthians 1:3 ¶  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

If we are criticized or threatened for the name of Christ we should be happy because on the part of the person doing the harm Christ’s authority and even existence is challenged but on our part Christ is glorified and that is what is important.

Peter insists that these Christians not let themselves suffer reproach for being a criminal or even a busybody. His list runs the gamut from a murderer to that nosy pest. So, it is clear that we get no approval from God just because we make ourselves obnoxious to others. We certainly cannot cry foul and claim persecution as Christians when we are arrested for criminal behavior or reproached for being a nuisance. Let not others condemn us by saying, “those people are notorious criminals,” or even, “those people are just about sticking their noses in other people’s business.”  The reason many Christians have a bad reputation is not due to their devotion to Christ but due to the fact that they have confused just being a stench in everyone else’s nostrils with being hated because their very lives convict unbelievers of their lost state. If you’re persecuted because you are just a pain in the neck or a menace to society don’t count it as a badge of your consecration.

But if you suffer as a Christian with the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 exhibited by your every word and deed then do not be ashamed but give glory to God for your suffering. Judgment begins with Christians first which is why America is in such disarray and failing so miserably in so many departments. It is a casualty of Christianity and God removing His hand of protection and letting national and personal sins run rampant more and more with each generation. This is because those calling themselves Christians have turned their back on Biblical Christianity and adopted some kind of prosperity gospel or an atheistic Ayn Rand worship of Self or, sadly, even worship of the state.

If judgment begins with us, then just think of the fate that awaits the ungodly who reject Christ’s free gift of salvation. One could say, “you know man, you may not like Christians. True, we’re often not any better acting than an atheist morally or ethically. In fact, we are barely saved by God’s grace, hanging onto the thread of His mercy. But, we are His! Just think about how bad it is going to be for you who have completely rejected Him.” You, masochistically, making yourself suffer for Christ, by the way, by denying yourself food, dressing pitifully, and denying yourself things that God has given you, as you walk around as if in mourning is not suffering for Christ.

When we suffer it should be according to the will of God, committing our souls to Him. In Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians, there was this sub-theme about Christ’s faithfulness, as well.

1Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

    16 ¶  Rejoice evermore. 17  Pray without ceasing. 18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19  Quench not the Spirit. 20  Despise not prophesyings. 21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

    23 ¶  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

It’s not about us. It’s about Christ. It is Him we should depend on. He is faithful.

1Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Commit your soul to God. You will be persecuted if you do and you will not have to poke anyone in the ribs to make it happen.

1Peter 4:11 comments: respect in the church

11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I want to say something additional about verse 11. ...If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth…

God has given us each different gifts and abilities which it is incumbent upon the rest of us to respect, as they came from God.

Romans 12:1 ¶  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And 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. 3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ephesians 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

If someone in the church wants to exercise their gifts from God; whether it be gifts of hospitality, service, ministry, teaching, exhortation, or whatever it is important that we honor and respect that gift given by God. We should not interfere with it or take it over unless help is asked or make the person feel as if they are inadequate in any way. A church is not a business, it is a voluntary association, the body of Christ on earth. No one, after a long week of frustration and perhaps emotional abuse at work and in their family, has to come to a church meeting or work and be made to feel as if they or what they have to offer is inferior or inadequate to someone else in the church, in any way, shape, or form.

Presumed social class, gender, appearance, education, or ethnic background have nothing to do with the value of a Christian or their service, to God. If Miss Camelia bakes cupcakes for the church social and we assume she did the best she could with what resources she had we give glory to God for what He provided through Miss Camelia. We do not whisper about, “how anyone could eat those pathetic cupcakes,” or tell her that we’ll help her out by throwing out her cupcakes and making them ourselves. No one will know.

The same goes for Brother Hiram who is offered a chance to preach a sermon. Maybe Hiram isn’t comfortable speaking publicly but he’s willing to do it for his Lord. We should give the glory to God and look for even one truth in his sermon we can hang on to and thank him for his effort, giving him a chance to get better at it.

God has given each of us something, some ability, some interest, some knowledge that can help others whether it be knowing how to fix a car or knowing how to manage conflict between children. We need, and I say, need, again, to give glory to God for their ability and praise them for their effort, helping them to grow in knowledge of the Lord and exercise the gift He gave them. We do not need to interfere, be callous, thoughtless, or act like there is some standard of excellence every person must meet to qualify to do something for God. No one can match God’s priceless gifts to us and we need to be more thankful for people willing to do some small thing in the body of Christ, as God has given to each of us an ability.

1Peter 4:8-11 comments: good stewards of the grace of God

8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter continues from verse 7’s thought about being sober and prayerful to tell the believers to have charity, which in the Bible refers to love between Christians. We use the phrase to act charitably today as a sort of throwback to that former definition as being kind, gracious, or understanding in your dealings. If you do not express this in your own family you are not likely to do it in the church and if you do it in the church and not in your own family it is a sham. Read the entire chapter of 1Corinthians 13 (verse 3 of that chapter shows you that the meaning of  charity here is not our common definition today) and the following verses;

2Peter 1:5 ¶  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was a new commandment from Christ Himself, to love the brethren as a sign of their love of Him.

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The fighting for position in a church family, the competitiveness, the treating of others as spiritual inferiors because of their social class or gender or ethnicity, trying to dominate or control them is not of God, nor can it be pleasing to God.

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Hospitality, opening up your home and your time to a brother or sister in Christ, particularly one  in need, spending time together and providing a meal as a gracious host is something honoring to God.

Romans 12:13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

We hold the grace of God as stewards and we are called to do right by it. Are you gracious and merciful, as God? What about in your own family? Has someone let you down, sought forgiveness, and been shown it by you or are you unyielding, a pharisaical boor, demanding your respect and banishing anyone who doesn’t comply with your convictions? You will be the same in the church, no doubt.

It is important to understand the world in which these people lived. Pagan Roman and Greek religion, by the first century, had become devoid of all moral teachings and were mere following of ritual. You might get a pontiff or priest to act as a kind of lawyer between you and the gods so you didn’t anger them. However, moral philosophy and philosophers took over that part of religion that teaches and corrects morality for us. The most important moral philosophy of first century Rome was Stoicism, mentioned in Acts 17. In this philosophy which guided the Roman mind there was little compassion. One of its tenets was justice without sympathy, absolute moral standards without deviation, and virtue for virtue’s sake or as some modern pagans dressed in Christian clothes would say, “virtue is its own reward.” Christianity called for compassion and genuine love and concern plus mercy between members of a church, and by extension, I have made the point that it should extend within a family, as well.(8) The view that the poor are poor because they deserve to be poor or that if you mess your bed we’ll make sure you sleep in it is more pagan Stoic than representing the compassion of God for a fallen race of beings. Christians were called to truly care for each other, to forgive freely each other, and to express genuine concern for others.

James 2:13  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

If you think that someone in church doesn’t do as much as you do and you gnash your spiritual teeth at them for not doing what you consider to be their share, because after all they aren’t serving God sacrificially and selflessly like you are, do you think you are acting as a Christian, or a Stoic philosopher? Are we in a human army and should we stand at attention, salute, and drop for pushups if a button is missing from our clothing? Do you practice the religion of Christ or the philosophy of Zeno, the founder of Stoicism. Do you have the attitude, “that person probably isn’t saved because they don’t act like I do?” Do you think you deserve some special treat from God (or the gods) because of your devotion?

The Stoic does right because it is the right thing to do. The Christian does right because He loves Christ, wants to please Him and show his love for Him. The Stoic regards others who have misfortunes as just not being right with God. The Christian, knowing the book of Job tells them that bad things can happen even to the most righteous acting person, feels compassion and empathy and wants to help their brother or sister. The Stoic thinks, “speaking the truth in love,” is ripping into someone for their failures, their lack of organization, lack of planning ahead, physical weakness, mental illness, or some other failing. The Christian leads by example and puts a supporting arm out for someone who is stumbling.

As the end times approach us we need to decide who we are; a pagan Stoic who believes that following the Golden Rule of ‘doing unto others as you would have them do unto you’ is evidence of their character and standards or a Christian who wants to do for others in his or her small part what Christ has done for them, as a good steward of the manifold grace of God.

When we speak it must always be something as if God Himself would say it, as something that glorifies Him. As Paul told us;

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

And James gave this warning;

James 3:1 ¶  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3  Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Christian lies regarding speech that undercut our testimony with each other include, “I’m not trying to tell you what to do…,” or, “I don’t mean to criticize you,”, and other things that prepare you to next say something you insist you aren’t saying. Christians need to guard their tongues and eschew all manipulative and insulting speech that demeans others. We should speak God’s words and intent to others in the church and in our families, and not just what we wish God would say either.

Peter warns these Christians to get ready for the end times which he thinks are upon them and as they are upon all of us in every generation we should act and speak toward each other understanding the impact of our speech and how important it is to glorify God in all we do and say, measuring our speech and not speaking in a careless or hurtful manner. He is getting ready to expand on this in dealing with persecution.

(8) William Ralph Inge, Society in Rome under the Caesars (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1888), 22, 23.

1Peter 4:7 comments - be sober and prayerful

7 ¶  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Peter, like Paul and John, believed that the end of history had to be soon.

Romans 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Philippians 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

1John 2:18 ¶  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

The phrase at hand refers to the fact that it an event is near, close by. In the following it is said that Isaac will die soon.

Genesis 27:41  And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Jesus said that His crucifixion was soon to come.

Matthew 26:18  And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

And in the following the Passover is coming up.

John 2:13  And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

They cannot be faulted for thinking events would happen soon. In fact, as reported by Rabbi Hillel Silver in his book, Messianic Speculation in Israel, for the last two thousand years many religious figures have tried to set a date for the end of history, the appearance of the Messiah if they are Jewish, or the return of Christ if they were Christian. But, we are not given to know such a thing. Still, this hope on the part of the Apostles gives relevance to the Bible in every age as we are to look up expectantly for Christ’s return for the church at any time.

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Paul even wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians to warn them that there were some things that must happen first before that day as, apparently, some people were not going about the necessary things of living as they expectantly waited for Christ to call them.

2Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Still, because they do not know when Christ will call them out, Christians are called to be sober-minded and constantly in a prayerful state. As Paul gave instruction;

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

1Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

This keeps us focused on God and the Jews were told in the Old Testament;

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Stay sober-minded, focused, and clear-headed. Paul uses sober in slightly varied ways. In 1Thessalonians 5:6 it is in relation to watchful and unperturbed, not spiritually asleep as the world is.

1Thessalonians 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Then, in verse 8, protecting ourselves with Christian faith and love and our minds with the hope of salvation.

1Thessalonians 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

In other places observe the words used around sober to see what is meant. Paul, in the following, defines the character of a bishop, which today we would call a pastor, and a deacon, both of which serve somewhat different functions in the modern independent Baptist church than they did in the first century.

1Timothy 3:1 ¶  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

    8 ¶  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

In Titus again Paul is clear on what being sober means by the other words he uses around it where in the following Paul is speaking about elders, bishops, in a city of churches that met in people’s houses;

Titus 1:5 ¶  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

    6 ¶  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

These admonitions do not just apply to church leadership but to the congregation, as well;

Titus 2:1 ¶  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

1Peter 4:3-6 comments: your old friends

3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

    4 ¶  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Following in this same thought Peter refers to the believer’s past life, when he walked in the ways of the world. This is a very dangerous place for the young person but an older person who has not known Christ’s salvation may find himself in this unending cycle of pleasure, misery, and eventual regret. Lasciviousness and lusts, excess of wine, have to do with sexual immorality brought on by drunkenness.

Revellings is used in Galatians 5:21 as a work of the flesh.

Galatians 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is partying, usually drunken, usually resulting in immoral behavior that typically hurts the innocent eventually and burdens the guilty with regret. It is a lifestyle evidenced by the old Country-Western song by Willie Nelson that went, “night life ain’t no good life, but its my life.” Many of you Christians used to soak in that practice until you stank of alcohol. In the ancient world after a drunken party sometimes young men would parade through the streets singing songs to Bacchus or some other pagan god. It became a word for drunken, group behavior.

Banquetings is a word denoting activity of a similar nature, as large ornate meals of many courses were enjoyed, devoted to a god or gods, and winding up in a sexual orgy or revellings of some sort.

Abominable idolatries accompany all of this behavior as their actions were dedicated to the gods. We engage in idolatry today but don’t call it such. Bars and lounges are sprinkled throughout virtually every city and town, little temples to self, as lost people and sometimes, blind and carnal Christians, indulge themselves in self-worship and lowering the inhibitions with alcohol so that what God has given to man to enjoy in the marriage bed can be trodden underfoot like something for which man is not only not grateful but holds in utter contempt. The more extreme versions of this modern paganism are STD Parties where people go to try to get a sexually transmitted disease, Raves, popular in the 1990’s, which could degenerate into a drug and alcohol inspired orgy like Foam Parties, and all kinds of night time get-togethers where under cover of night everything from immoral, consensual behavior takes place to rape, gang-rape, and even murder are the end result. This happens all over the world today, but more so in the Western, former predominant Christian, industrialized countries. It’s terrifying what happens when God takes His hand of protection against sin from a person or a country.

Your former friends thought it was odd that you refused, once you were saved, to go with them anymore to these things. They condemned you for thinking you were too good for your friends after that. Some new Christians, feeling isolated and  alone, will succumb to this guilt-trip and fall back into sin for a time, but are never truly happy again in that environment.

Your former friends will give an account to God at the Great White Throne judgment if they do not eventually believe and are given faith.

Revelation 20:11 ¶  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Most commentators regard dead in verse 6 as a reference to spiritually dead, in a metaphorical sense. This is warranted by Christ’s own use of dead in a spiritual sense.

Matthew 8:21  And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

We also know that Adam and Eve did not physically die when they ate of the forbidden fruit, but lived many more years, so the obvious interpretation is spiritual death.

Genesis 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

And, we are made alive by Christ, even though our bodies are already alive, so that must be a reference to spiritual life. In the following born, enter the second time into his mother’s womb, born of water, and born of the flesh is flesh refer to physical birth from one’s mother while born again and born of the Spirit refers to spiritual rebirth

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Verse 6 gives us the purpose of preaching the gospel, to make men and women repent and turn to God, living a life according to Him in our spirit. To sum up what Paul said;

Romans 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.