Humility – Page 13 – Three Minute Bible

August 12, 2020August 12, 2020

1 Peter 2:24 (b) — Signpost

Picture: Rustic sign pointing to the "Next Step."

… so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness …

Today’s passage speaks to a theme that has been on my heart quite strongly for the past year or so. What does it mean to “die to sins and live for righteousness?” If we want to follow Peter’s guidance, what do we do? Moreover, if we want our church body to follow Peter’s teaching here, what do we do?

If we are to die to our sin, we have to be aware that we are sinning. If we are to live for righteousness, we need to have some concept of what that means. Is it possible for us to do either without being in God’s Word every day?

August 9, 2020August 9, 2020

1 Peter 2:23 (a) — This is a Test

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.

This is a test: Someone you know well is angry and they express that anger by insulting you.

Question: How do you respond?

Our response to this test says a lot about who we are. The same is true for a similar test: How do we respond to suffering at the hands of someone else?

August 6, 2020August 8, 2020

1 Peter 2:21 — Jesus’ Footprints

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Peter tells us that Jesus was an example for us. We should follow in his steps. This is good advice if we apply it correctly. The problem is that it is easy to misapply.

When you look at Jesus, what do you see?

August 5, 2020August 6, 2020

1 Peter 2:20 — What the Child Saw

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

English is a wonderful language. It is rich in history, flexible, adaptable, and functional. There is a reason why people around the world choose to learn English if they want to communicate internationally. Even so, when compared to the Hebrew and Greek languages, English sometimes feels … inadequate.

August 3, 2020August 3, 2020

1 Peter 2:18 — Modern Slaves

Picture: Graphic of large grey finger pointing down at fearful employee.

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

The word “slave” has become a kind of dirty word these days. It is a word like any other. The condition it describes is not pleasant nor is it desirable, but slavery has existed for thousands of years. Even God’s own people, when they lived in Egypt for 400 years were slaves to the Egyptians for most of that time.

Do not misunderstand me. I am not condoning slavery. Yet, look around. How much of the world is free? If people are not free, aren’t they the same as a slave? Slavery still exists and always will until Jesus Himself comes to rule the earth.

August 2, 2020August 2, 2020

1 Peter 2:17 (d) — Honor

Picture: A veteran and our flag at attention during a Memorial Day ceremony.

… honor the emperor.

At first, when I looked at today’s text I thought, “Great! I get a day off!” After all, in our country, we have no emperor. Nothing to see here, right?

Wrong. There is a lot to see.

August 1, 2020August 1, 2020

1 Peter 2:17 (c) — An Appropriate Kind of Fear

Picture: A splash of red hot lava against a black background.

… fear God …

Are you afraid of God? Should you be? Peter seems to think so.

It seems to me that if God can create and sustain the universe if he created life as we know it, and if he became man and died for our sins, he is a bit beyond our comprehension. We can’t outthink God. We shouldn’t even try.

And let’s talk about power. How much power does God have?

July 31, 2020July 31, 2020

1 Peter 2:17 (b) — Family Love

Picture: A dozen or more goslings are all the same but all different.

… love the family of believers …

Peter’s theme is submission. He wants us to “submit … for the Lord’s sake.” We are to put ourselves under others in importance. By doing this we lift others up. They become more important in our eyes.

This feels counter-intuitive to our egos. The part of us that stands apart from God does not want to submit. We glory in our independence and our power. We enjoy taking control of our lives and living large. At least as long as things go well.

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

1 Peter 2:17 (a) — Respect

Picture of a man tipping his hat in respect.

Show proper respect to everyone…

As we turn to verse 17 in our letter from Peter, he begins with a deep well. On the surface, his words seem simple enough. As we gaze into them, we discover that we cannot see the bottom.

“Everyone” is a lot of people! Does he really mean every person?

July 28, 2020July 28, 2020

1 Peter 2:15 — Doing Good

Picture: two hands holding a candle against a black background.

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

There are some words in the ancient texts that give translators trouble. If you look in the NIV it might say something different than the King James Version. Sometimes out of thirty or more English translations you might find as many as ten different English equivalents. “Ignorance” is not one of those troublesome words.

Except for one or two exceptions, every English translation uses the word “ignorant” to express the Greek, “agnōsia.” In English, the word “ignorant” is often confused with “stupid.” These are two very different words. The word “ignorant” means a lack of knowledge. The cure to ignorance is knowledge.