‘For The LORD’S SAKE’—1Peter 2:13—3:12
A. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Government—1Peter 2:13-17
B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25
C. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Marriage—1Peter 3:1-7
D. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Church—1Peter 3:8-12
In 1Peter we will continue to examine the overall scheme of Submission—the give-&-take of relationships within CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE.
Today we will continue looking at CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE & our WORK Obligations in:
B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25
Attention:
I got saved in the midst of my working at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography just ourside of Savannah, GA. It was a great job with fair pay & excellent benefits. But not too long after my coming to Jesus Christ, saving faith in Christ, I became a disgruntled employee. Myself & another employee started complaining about the ‘paltry’ lack of increase in our pay. Skidaway was part of the University System of Georgia & we were paid accordingly—State supported & raises were understandably limited. The problem was not the state’s nor Skidaway’s but ours. It was personal. Both of us ‘fussers’ had recently over-obligated ourselves to houses rather than renting. My wife & I had just begun our family with the birth of our first daughter. I was blessed to have a job where, as I sat to examine items under a stereoscope, I had the privilege of being able to listen to the radio. I was discipled by the likes of J. Vernon McGee, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, etc. via that radio. But in the midst of that discipling, I was disappointed...not because God was calling me into His service, which He was doing, but rather for entirely selfish reasons!...
Picture this scenario: Most of the scientists I worked around were without Christ. They had the opportunity to observe Christ in action thru me & my colleague...I had become recently saved—& they knew it—& I was complaining! Opportunity was there to save souls & to salvage the reputation of the church, but we were too busy as pride-filled complainers to be godly witnesses! What a dishonor to Christ Jesus my Lord!
We did not allow CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE to rule/control our WORK Obligations. The way in which you handle your Work Obligations, speaks, either positively or negatively, to others about the power of God in Christ Jesus.
B. CHRISTIAN GOVERNANCE-&-Work-II—1Peter 2:18-25
Peter confirmed the role of Christian submission in relation to the obligations of servants.
Christian submission is crucial in or pertinent to our work obligations.
‘Pertinent’—“Having a clear decisive relevance to the matter at hand.”
How is Christian governance addressed thru our work obligations?
4 aspects of Christian governance that are addressed thru our Work obligations. (or at work or in the workplace)
We have previously found that Christian governance is at WORK thru submission to...
1. SUPERIORS(:18)
2—Christian governance is at WORK thru submission to...
SUFFERANCE/ing(:19-20)
Explanation:(:19-20)
:19—“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
“For this is commendable...”
This is an act of graciousness-(cariv)-...An act of grace on the part of the servant, the Christian, the servant of God.
When servants are unconditionally submissive, it is a “commendable”(grace-driven & grace-giving) action on their part. And it’s basis is key!...
*“Commendable/Thankworthy/Finds favor”-(See :20)-—cariv—Noun Fem.—1) Grace—1a) That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; 2) Good will, loving-kindness, favor—2a) Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, & kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; 3) What is due to grace—3a) The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace, 3b) The token or proof of grace, benefit—3b1) A gift of grace, 3b2) Benefit, bounty; 4) Thanks, (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward. Strong—Graciousness(as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, & its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
“... If because of conscience toward God...”
Any actions are “commendable” acts of graciousness(to God & man) if they are the result of your personal “conscience toward God.” The saved are new & regenerated people due to their faith-filled ‘awareness’ of God thru Christ.
Mat. 23:6-11—“They-(Pharisees)- love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, “greetings in the marketplaces, & to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, & you are all brethren. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. “And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
“Conscience”—suneidhsiv—Noun Fem.—1)The consciousness[awareness] of anything; 2) The soul as distinguishing between what is morally good & bad, prompting to do the former & shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other—2a) The conscience. Strong—Co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness.
From—suneidw—To see completely; used(like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning, To understand or become aware, & To be conscious or (clandestinely)informed of.
Suneidw From—sun-(together with)-—&—eidw[to see/know]—=‘With Knowing’
“...one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
The actual “endurance of grief” comes upon the servant(:18) as a result of their reverent fear(:18) of God, & by the residing boldness attained in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. The servant lives this fear out graciously.
“Suffering” comes upon the object of “grief”(the Chrstian servant) because of the “harshness”(:18b) imposed upon them by their ungodly master.
Such “suffering” is endured solely because of “wrongful” malevolence toward God’s obvious work in the slave. Their “suffering” & its grief comes upon them because they are slaves of men.
*“Endures/Bears up under”—upoferw—Verb—1) To bear by being under, bear up(a thing placed on one's shoulders); 2) To bear patiently, to endure. Strong—To bear from underneath, i.e. figuratively--To undergo hardship. Used 3X.
From—upo—1) By, under. Strong—a primary preposition; Under, Beneath, or Through; Whither, Underneath, or Below, or At.—&—ferw—To "bear" or carry(in a very wide application, literally & figuratively).
*“Grief/Sorrows”—luph—Noun Fem.—1)Sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction—1a)Of persons mourning. Strong—apparently a primary word; Sadness. Used 16X.
“Suffering”-(See :20)-—pascw/payw/penyw—Verb—1) To be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo—1a) in a good sense--To be well off, in good case, 1b) in a bad sense--To suffer sadly, be in a bad plight—1b1) Of a sick person. Strong—used only in certain tenses for it; apparently a primary verb; To experience a sensation or impression(usually painful).
*“Wrongfully/Unjustly”—adikwv—Adverb—1)Unjustly, undeserved, without fault. Strong—Unjustly. Used 1X.
From—A(as negative particle)—&—dikh—Right(as self-evident), i.e. Justice(the principle, a decision, or its execution).
:20—“For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good & suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”
A Christian servant’s unconditionally bearing up under the stress of outside management(micromanagement), is commendable & gracious in contrast with bearing up under ‘deserved punishment’ for wrongdoing. Deserved punishment is expected & is justified in the eyes of everybody.
Christians, of all people on the planet, are to be perfect examples of such patient suffering, because they are also the recipients of God’s eternal & universal determinations of right & wrong, & are thereby the ambassadors of it & Him.
“The commendable thing is not the suffering but being so committed to God’s will(the good) that devotion to Him overrides personal comfort.”—EBC
*“Credit/Glory”—kleov—Noun Neuter—1)Rumor, report; 2)Glory, praise. Strong—from a shorter form of kalew[To call]; Renown(as if being called). Used 1X.
“Beaten/Buffeted”—kolafizw—Verb—1)To strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist; 2)To maltreat, treat with violence & contumely. Strong—To rap with the fist. Used 5X.
From a derivative of the base of kolazw[To curtail, chastise].
*“Faults”—amartanw—1) To be without a share in; 2) To miss the mark; 3) To err, be mistaken; 4) To miss or wander from the path of uprightness & honor, to do or go wrong.; 5) To wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin—Common verbal word for ‘to sin.’ Strong—properly--To miss the mark(& so not share in the prize), i.e. figuratively--To err, especially morally--To sin.
From—A(as negative particle)—& the base of—merov—A division or share(literally or figuratively, in a wide application).
*“Take it patiently/Endure it with Patience/Endure it”2X—upomenw—1) To remain—1a) To tarry behind; 2) To remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee—2a) To preserve: under misfortunes & trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ, 2b) To endure, bear bravely & calmly: ill treatments. Strong—To stay under(behind), i.e. Remain; figuratively--To undergo, i.e. Bear(trials), have fortitude, persevere. Used 17X.
From—upo—1) By, under. Strong—a primary preposition; Under, Beneath, or Through; Whither, Underneath, or Below, or At.—&—menw—a primary verb; To stay(in a given place, state, relation or expectancy).
*“Do Good”[See :15]—agayopoiew—Verb—1) To do good, do something which profits others—1a) To be a good help to someone, 1b) To do someone a favor, 1c) To benefit; 2) To do well, do right. Strong—To be a well-doer(as a favor or a duty). Used 11X.
From—agayov—a primary word; “Good”(in any sense, often as noun)—&—poiew—1) To make; 2) To do. Strong—apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; To make or do(in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Suffer”-(See :19, 21)-—pascw/payw/penyw—Verb—1) To be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo—1a) in a good sense--To be well off, in good case, 1b) in a bad sense--To suffer sadly, be in a bad plight—1b1) Of a sick person. Strong—used only in certain tenses for it; apparently a primary verb; To experience a sensation or impression(usually painful).
Commendable/Acceptable”-(See :19)-—cariv—Noun Fem.—1) Grace—1a) That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; 2) Good will, loving-kindness, favor—2a) Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, & kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; 3) What is due to grace; 4) Thanks, (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward. Strong—Graciousness(as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, & its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
Argumentation:
1Pet. 2:15-16—“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”
1Pet. 3:13-17—“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[Isa. 8:12b-13] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, & always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness & fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Eph. 6:5-8—“Bondservants[doulov], be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear & trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, & not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
Col. 3:22-25—“Bondservants[doulov], obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord & not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, & there is no partiality.”
1Cor. 6:7—“Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”
It’s been said to me that this makes it sound like Christians are just supposed ‘to let people run all over them.’ Yes, that is correct! But not so that as Christians, we become innocuous & insipid ‘patsies’ at everyone else’s disposal! Such inoffensiveness makes the Good News of Jesus of no consequence as well as making us slaves of others! Ultimately, the choice for your ‘letting people run all over you’ is to be decided by the individual, thru the Holy Spirit’s guidance & control at every given moment of your day. No one should or can truly ‘regulate’ theirs or anyone else’s obedience to the Spirit of God! It is done only thru love...Love for God & love for your brother or sister in Christ, & love for the lost!
Illustration:
Have you ever had to go in to work on your usual ‘day off?’ Have you ever had to stay later than usual?
At the local IGA grocery store(or a restaurant like McDonalds, Hardees, Zaxby’s., El Jalisco etc.)/The IGA starts ‘guarding the doors’ at 8:00pm weekdays, which is closing time—i.e., no new customers are allowed to enter after 8:00pm!/Yet there are those who do come in at the last minute & ‘take their own sweet time’ about shopping—But that’s okay!—Customers are in the store as ‘customers’ to have their needs met...so that you(the servant worker) can receive a paycheck/The store provides that privilege even to the last minute!
•Suppose a busload of kids on their way home from a game, or a busload of tired tourists, pile into the restaurant—after you’ve early-on, turned off the grill, packed up the food, & stacked chairs.
•Suppose you have babies at home that would love & expect Momma or Daddy home by a certain time!
OR
•Suppose you have an appointment—You’re going to meet family or friends whom you haven’t seen in a long time, for this one night.
?What do you do?
?How do you respond to the last-minute customer?
?Are you cheerful or scowling & whiney?
?Are you welcoming or rude?
?Do you maintain the same level of respect at the end as you do at the beginning & thruout the day?
Application:
?Does Submission to & of your SUFFERANCE reveal ‘Christian Governance’ or fleshly governance?
?Is Christian Governance at Work in you?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
2 known Christians...Complainers—NOT exhibiting Christian Governance at WORK!
Action:
Christian governance is at WORK thru submission to...
2. SUFFERANCE/ing(:19-20)
1. SUPERIORS(:18)
Pt. 2-only! presented 03/26/2017am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SW(SE Ave. A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
