WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday November 17, 2019
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FAITH
THAT IS FOCUSED
(A
call to holy living)
(1
Peter 1:13-25)
The
“Christian Hope”, has, throughout the history of the Church, served as
motivation to make life on earth conform more fully with the Word of GOD, just
as it was presented to us by JESUS CHRIST during HIS lifetime here on earth.
All of the information we have about CHRIST,
and Christianity, comes to us from those who actually saw HIS miracles
performed, and, actually heard HIM speak. However, because they wrote to
encourage believers, rather than to satisfy historical curiosity, this
information often leaves more questions than it does answers, particularly in
the minds of those who don’t truly believe anyway.
No one has ever been able to harmonize all
of this information from GOD, into a completely satisfying chronological
account. These Holy Scriptures, as we know them, were not actually assembled by
“the authors of GOD” who wrote them, but rather, they were assembled much later
on by second, third, and even fourth generation workers in the early Church.
It must not be forgotten, however, that the
original workers of the early Church, were those hand-picked apostles of JESUS
CHRIST HIMSELF. In the New Testament, two very short letters, or epistles, are
accredited to the leader of that band of men that JESUS picked, and then
entrusted to doing the work of building HIS Church here on earth. That man’s
name was originally, Simon, however, JESUS changed his name to “Peter”, or “Cephas”,
which means “Rock”. It is also widely believed by scholars (including this one)
that the Gospel of Mark was dictated to him by the Apostle Peter earlier than
any of the other three Gospel accounts.
The Apostle Peter is said to have written
this, the first of his two known letters that are contained in the New
Testament canon, while in Rome, circa A.D. 64, near the end of his life, and
during the turbulent reign of the emperor Nero. It was at a time when Jewish
Christians were suffering heavy persecution throughout the Roman Empire, and
particularly in Asia Minor (now the land of Turkey).
In this letter, Peter sought to encourage
those embattled Christians who were residing in Asia Minor, to cling to “the
Christian Hope”, as their suffering was only a part of the Christian life here
on earth. He also wanted to assure them that GOD would protect and reward those
who endured until the end, staying focused on HIM, and maintaining their faith
and trust in JESUS, through it all. The mind that stays focused on HIM will
overcome the trials and tribulations by which a Christian is tested in order to
strengthen their faith, just as fire is used to test and purify gold (1 Peter
1:3-12).
Here in verses 13-25, Peter calls for all
Christians to “live holy”, “think clearly” (“nephontes” in the Greek, meaning
“be sober minded”), and exercise “self-control” (“egratheia” in the Greek) at
all times. He also urges them to “look forward in earnest expectation”
(“apokaradokia” in the Greek) of CHRIST’ return. He further urges that they
“not slip back” (“backslide”) into their old way of living.
The Christians must learn to obey the GOD
in WHOSE “spiritual image” they are made. And just as a person “physically
resembles” their earthly parents, so too must the Christian be concerned that
they daily desire to resemble “the spiritual image” of their FATHER in Heaven,
through their behavior.
The contrast that Peter alludes to, here in
this passage (Vs.23-24), is that we don’t have to make an effort, nor change
our behavior, to physically resemble our earthly parents. For that is an automatic
occurrence. Our resemblance of GOD, however, can only be manifested through our
behavior, which must come through a transformation of “the heart” (change our
way of thinking). This resemblance can only be acquired and maintained through
our learning of, and becoming accustomed to practicing, the Word of GOD
(getting to know GOD spiritually and intellectually).
When we choose “the Christian Walk”, we
must no longer operate as just permanent residents of this earth, but rather,
we must begin to operate as citizens of Heaven, and therefore, the laws of GOD
must become paramount to us. It is not until a person “falls in love with
goodness”, that “wrong things” will no longer “fascinate” and “have power” over
them. “Our relationship with GOD” is a Christians “greatest asset”. Contrastingly,
“the person who loses his or her heart to the things of this world” is “the
person who is most vulnerable to satan”.
“The end of all things is near”, to each of
us, personally. For that is the resounding message, that the ancient Old
Testament prophets, and, New Testament writers and thinkers, all leave us with.
And that message is just as valid today as it ever was. Our only true hope lies
in our ability to maintain a discipline and self-control that is fueled by our faith,
obedience, and conformance to the prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO, will
always compel us toward CHRIST JESUS, and away from “the gravitational pull”
that is, this world.
A Sunday school lesson
by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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