“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Gospel of Matthew
Others will be drawn to God by the love, mercy and kindness we show to them. They will see the fruit of Holy Spirit in our lives. our good works reflect His heart, His love, for the world that He created. Carla
1 Peter 4:15-19 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. NKJ
1 Peter 4:15-19
15 But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
16 But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.
17 For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God? 18 “And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?"
19 As a result, those who suffer in accord with God's will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good. New American Bible—Vatican
Christians are to entrust their very lives to God, especially in the midst of suffering, always recognizing that He is the faithful Creator who is in control of all things. God never gives us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13); everything He does always has a good purpose (Romans 8:28). The NKJV Study Bible
The Greek term used here for Christian rarely occurs in the New Testament despite its later popularity as a designation for people who follow Jesus and trust in His saving work (Acts 11:26). Here Peter probably uses the term to affirm believers’ identification with Christ and His sufferings ( 1 Peter 4:13).
Time for the judgment to begin likely refers to future judgment at Jesus’ return rather than present sufferings. Those who suffer for Christ’s sake can be confident that God’s judgment will validate their hardship. Peter lives in the era between Jesus’ resurrection and return—thus, relatively speaking, the judgment is imminent and has in many ways begun, since the time to choose Jesus is now.
The household of God evokes the building metaphor from 1 Peter 2:4–5 and refers to the family of believers in Jesus. Peter maintains that God will judge all people impartially, but also stresses that He will begin with His own people. All people will be held accountable for their actions, even though God will grant mercy to those who chose the path of faith in Jesus (Jude 21).
if the righteous are saved with difficulty just as Jesus faced suffering—being mocked, beaten, and crucified—to make the gift of salvation possible, believers must faithfully follow their Lord until the end of their lives or Jesus’ return. This is not because their salvation depends on it—Jesus alone saves them (1 Peter 1:3–12)—but because others may come to Jesus due to their model of faithfulness.
Although they are experiencing overwhelming evil, believers should continue to do good, as a means of honoring God and demonstrating that they trust Him with their entire lives. Faithlife Study Bible
Proverbs 11:31
If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
Jeremiah 25:29 For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the LORD of hosts.’
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
Amos 3:2
“You only have I known of all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
…I am not a fan of people who—in the name of upbeat coaching or “theology”—dismiss life's complications, irritations, tensions and visible suffering.
But here's the deal:
When we make space, we are able to bring who we are, wholeheartedly—whether that be grief or sadness, or bewilderment, or gladness or joy. And in that space, there is hope. There is mercy. And there is compassionate inclusion.
Let’s call this space, the Gift of Enough.
“Not all of us can do great things.” Mother Teresa reminds us. “But we can do small things with great love.”
And today, is my hour. To stand. To speak. To love. Sabbath Moments
No comments:
Post a Comment