Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 45

 Suffering for Jesus Part 15

1 Peter 4:11 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. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here is the same verses of 1 Peter 4:11 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Being a son or daughter of the Most High God means that we speak for Him while we remain as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth 🌎. When we speak for God in public, we are serving as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and we are commanded to speak only His truth no matter who hears spiritually and receives the truth or not. The Truth is who our God Jesus Christ is (John 14:6) and He demands that His sons and daughters speak His truth everywhere. All our abilities come from God our Father and are to be used for His Glory as the Apostle Peter declares to us with these words, "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." (1 Peter 4:11) (KJV). The little English word 'oracles' is translated by the Greek word logion which means an utterance (of God). In the Old Testament, the Lord God spoke to men and women directly with a loud audible voice or to them in their inner man 👨or inner woman 👩, however, by the words of the writer of Hebrews God now only speaks to us through Jesus Christ, as it is written, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the Prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (Jesus Christ), whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the Universe by the Word of His Power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs." (Hebrews 1:1-4) (ESV). What is written now and documented for all the remainder of time ⌚is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ speaking to us and these words are what we declare as the oracles of God. The English word 'minister' (as we declared in the last study/commentary) is translated by the Greek word diakoneō meaning to be an attendant, that is, [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon. We are to teach the truth of the Word of God by way of or virtue of the 'ability' God has given us when He birthed us into His Family 👪and into His Kingdom. The little English word 'ability' the Apostle Peter uses in this verse is translated by the Greek word ischus meaning forcefulness (literally or figuratively): - ability, might, power, strength. In other words, without the might and power and strength 💪we receive from God the Holy Spirit we would be useless in teaching sound doctrine, as we are reminded and warned by Paul the Apostle when he wrote these words to young Brother Timothy, as it is written, "Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." (1 Timothy 6:2-7) (ESV). The importance of using the ability/ischus that comes to us from God is without measure, for as we see with the words of Paul to Timothy, people without this ability from God can take the Words of God and run faster than an Olympic sprinter into declarations that lead men 🚹and women 🚺into perdition. Paul also warned us of this with his words to Timothy once again, however in his second (2) letter ✉, as it is written, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13) (ESV). As Dr. Adrian Rogers said, "Deception is the devil's chief tool." Therefore, since we know this, we must be on our guard always and in all places being in the Word of God so that we may be able to recognize when the deception of the enemy is being proclaimed or lived out. The end result for us as we declare the truth of the Word of God and desire to walk out or live out that truth is the 'Glory of God' in us by the power and strength 💪we receive from our Mediator between us and God the Father that is, Jesus Christ our Lord, as it is declared by the JFB Commentary with these words, "Through Christ alone can God be glorified in us and our sayings and doings."

Here is what John Wesley said of 1 Peter 4:11, "If any man speak, let him - In his whole conversation, public and private. Speak as the oracles of God - Let all his words be according to this pattern, both as to matter and manner, more especially in public. By this mark we may always know who are, so far, the true or false prophets. The oracles of God teach that men should repent, believe, obey. He that treats of faith and leaves out repentance, or does not enjoin practical holiness to believers, does not speak as the oracles of God: he does not preach Christ, let him think as highly of himself as he will. If any man minister - Serve his brother in love, whether in spirituals or temporals. Let him minister as of the ability which God giveth - That is, humbly and diligently, ascribing all his power to God, and using it with His might. Whose is the glory - of His wisdom, which teaches us to speak. And the might - Which enables us to act."

Here is what the Expositors' Bible Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 4:11, "The first Christian preachers must have gained their knowledge of the life and teaching of Jesus by listening to the narratives of the Twelve, and must have gone forth to give their teaching orally. The training of those who were appointed to minister in the various places whither the Apostolic missions penetrated must have been of the same kind. In those first years there was work to be done which would seem more important than the writing of a Gospel history. When such preachers published to the congregations what they had learnt of the Master's lessons, their sermons would be orally given, and though conveying the same instruction, would be liable to constant modifications of words. It was from such oral teaching that the variations found in the Gospel narratives probably had their origin. The preachers gave the spirit, and as nearly as possible the text, of what they had been taught. Perhaps by memoranda or otherwise, they would refresh their knowledge of the Apostolic words, so as to adhere as much a(Acts 7:38) words by which spiritual life was conveyed, to deliver to the Church. Those of them who were Jews would call to mind how God's Prophets had constantly prefaced their message with 'Thus saith the Lord' or concluded it with the Divine accrediting, 'I am the Lord'; and that the Christian Prophet must bear in mind that he is only an ambassador, and must abide by his commission, if he would speak with authority, that as a steward he must ever think of the account to be some day given of 'the oracles of God' (Romans 3:2) with which he was entrusted, and must 'handle aright the Word of Truth' (2 Timothy 2:15). For all such is St. Peter's admonition, 'If any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God.' And next he turns to those gifts which are to be exercised in deeds, and not in words: 'If any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth.' Under 'ministry' St. Paul classes (Romans 12:7-8) giving, ruling, showing mercy. These are duties which secure the temporal condition of the Church and her members. The New Testament story suggests many offices which could be discharged by those who had not devoted themselves in a special manner to the ministry of the Word. How much service would be called for by those collections for the saints which St. Paul urges so frequently upon the Churches! How many houses would find employment in such labors as were exhibited in the home of Dorcas! How many a traveler, bent on his secular work, would carry Apostolic messages or letters to the flocks of the dispersion! To these may be added those offices of mercy which St. James describes as outward acts of religion, to visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction. The strength which God supplieth embraces every faculty or possession, be it wealth, administrative skill, or special knowledge. The physician and the craftsman alike may spend their powers for Christ. All may be consecrated, ministered, as supplied of God. And it is a gain to the Church when, following the Apostolic pattern, these duties of external religion are severed from the prophecy, the spiritual work of the Teacher. 'That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' This is to be the thought which animates all who minister: that each man's service may be so rendered to his brethren that it will work for the glory of God. And Christ has led the way. He testifies in His final prayer, 'I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.' (John 17:4) Of our work we can use no such words. We are but unprofitable servants. In many things we offend all. But all may labor in the Christlike Spirit; and thus through Him through service rendered in His name and for His sake, will God be glorified. The thought of Jesus humbling Himself, taking the form of a servant, testifying of Himself, 'The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many,' can give a dignity to lowliest labor, and at the same time can impart consolation to the true laborers, for whom this mighty ransom has been paid, their inheritance won, their salvation achieved; while the Conqueror of sin and death, their Redeemer, has taken His seat at God's Right Hand, where worshipping spirits ever praise Him, saying, 'Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory, and the honor, and the power.'"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 44

 Suffering for Jesus Part 14

1 Peter 4:9-10 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God's multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God's unmerited favor]."

Motives we find throughout the Word of God are of most importance to our Father in Heaven. Therefore, it is not surprising that we find the Apostle Peter declaring these words to those early brothers and sisters 'in Christ', "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." (1 Peter 4:9) (KJV) and they apply to we true born again sons and daughters of Christ Jesus our Lord today and of every era and generation of those born again by our Lord Jesus Christ. To be well certain that someone is a true brother or sister 'in Christ' and to not be hospitable to them would be to dishonor our Lord Jesus Himself, however, we must be discerning, discreet, and distinguishing showing good judgement because their are many deceivers (Titus 1:10) & (2 John 1:7) walking about claiming to be minister's of Christ or children of God, but they are actually the very opposite (witches, warlocks, practicing the satanic magic arts inside of Churches) as Paul the Apostle warned us with these words, "And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) (ESV). We must be able to see the fruit of the lives of those we declare to be our brothers and sisters 'in Christ', for no one wanting to have sex with you is your fellow believer, but they are an unbeliever/infidel and should have no fellowship with us at all (2 Corinthians 6:15). But those who bear the marks of Christ Jesus our Lord in their lives, we should not be unwilling or unwelcoming or unresponsive to their needs of every kind when it is in our ability to meet them. Amen!! Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "Without grudging - Greek, 'without murmurs;' that is, without complaining of the hardship of doing it; of the time, and expense, and trouble required in doing it. The idea of grudging, in the common sense of that word - that is, of doing it unwillingly, or regretting the expense, and considering it as ill-bestowed, or as not producing an equivalent of any kind - is not exactly the idea here. It is that we are to do it without murmuring or complaining. It greatly enhances the value of hospitality, that it be done on our part with entire cheerfulness. One of the duties involved in it is to make a guest happy; and this can be done in no other way than by showing him that he is welcome." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "The proper objects of Christian hospitality are one another. The nearness of their relation, and the necessity of their condition in those times of persecution and distress, obliged Christians to be hospitable one to another. Sometimes Christians were spoiled of all they had, and were driven away to distant countries for safety. In this case they must starve if their fellow-Christians would not receive them. Therefore it was a wise and necessary rule which the Apostle here laid down. The manner of performing this duty is this: it must be done in an easy, kind, handsome manner, without grudging or grumbling at the expense or trouble. Learn, (1.) Christians ought not only to be charitable, but hospitable, one to another. (2.) Whatever a Christian does by way of charity or of hospitality, he ought to do it cheerfully, and without grudging. Freely you have received, freely give."

Now the Apostle Peter jumps into the spiritual gifts that our Lord Jesus Christ blessed us with, that is, gave to each one of us when we were born again into His Heavenly Eternal family 👪. Peter (just as Paul did) declares to us that we must us or employ our birthday gift from Christ Jesus our Lord for the edification or building up of other 'born ones', as Peter writes with these words, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (KJV). The little English phrase in this verse 'the gift' is translated by the Greek word charisma meaning a (Divine) gratuity, that is, (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift. The English word 'minister' is translated by the Greek word diakoneō meaning to be an attendant, that is, [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon. In other words, Peter is saying that we are to use our birthday spiritual gift from our Lord Jesus to build up His Body of which we are a part of His Body and just as we use our gift to build up other parts of the Body of Christ, we too are being built up 👆by those others with differing gifts than ours. The Apostle Paul describes it in this manner, "And [His gifts to the Church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as Apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as Prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as Evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as Pastors and Teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God's people) for works of service, to build up the Body of Christ [the Church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 1 Peter 4:10, "As every man hath received the gift,.... That is, from God, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions add. This is a general rule laid down by the Apostle, according to which, distribution of every kind, whether in things temporal or spiritual, is to be made, even according to the nature, quality, and quantity of the gift received: the greatest gift God bestows on men, next to Himself, Son, and Spirit, and received by them in this life, is special grace; which God gives of His Sovereign will and pleasure, liberally, abundantly, without the deserts of men, or conditions to be performed by them; of this kind are faith, repentance, hope, and love: the next to this is the ministerial gift, or what qualifies men for the work of the ministry; which is not anything in nature, or what is acquired by art and industry, but is a gift of grace, which is bestowed on some in a higher, on others in a lower degree: and besides these, there are the gifts of nature and providence, as human wisdom, and the knowledge of things natneighbours or companions, as the Syriac, version renders it; if the gift be special grace though that itself cannot be imparted from one to another, yet the knowledge of it may; and it becomes such who have an experience of the grace of God upon their hearts to make it known, both to particular friends in private conversation, and to the Church of God in public, for the use and edification of others, and the glory of God's grace: if the gift be a ministerial one, whether it be greater or less, for it is not in all alike, it is not to be wrapped up in a napkin, and hid in the earth, or to lie neglected, but to be stirred up, and used for the benefit of the souls of men: and if it is a temporal one, the good things of this life, according to the measure of them, that a man has, he is to minister to the supply of the poor; and as God has prospered him, he is to distribute to the necessities of others; as men freely receive, be it what it will, they should freely minister it, according to the nature and measure of it: as

 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 44

 Suffering for Jesus Part 14

1 Peter 4:9-10 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:9-10 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God's multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God's unmerited favor]."

Motives we find throughout the Word of God are of most importance to our Father in Heaven. Therefore, it is not surprising that we find the Apostle Peter declaring these words to those early brothers and sisters 'in Christ', "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." (1 Peter 4:9) (KJV) and they apply to we true born again sons and daughters of Christ Jesus our Lord today and of every era and generation of those born again by our Lord Jesus Christ. To be well certain that someone is a true brother or sister 'in Christ' and to not be hospitable to them would be to dishonor our Lord Jesus Himself, however, we must be discerning, discreet, and distinguishing showing good judgement because their are many deceivers (Titus 1:10) & (2 John 1:7) walking about claiming to be minister's of Christ or children of God, but they are actually the very opposite (witches, warlocks, practicing the satanic magic arts inside of Churches) as Paul the Apostle warned us with these words, "And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) (ESV). We must be able to see the fruit of the lives of those we declare to be our brothers and sisters 'in Christ', for no one wanting to have sex with you is your fellow believer, but they are an unbeliever/infidel and should have no fellowship with us at all (2 Corinthians 6:15). But those who bear the marks of Christ Jesus our Lord in their lives, we should not be unwilling or unwelcoming or unresponsive to their needs of every kind when it is in our ability to meet them. Amen!! Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "Without grudging - Greek, 'without murmurs;' that is, without complaining of the hardship of doing it; of the time, and expense, and trouble required in doing it. The idea of grudging, in the common sense of that word - that is, of doing it unwillingly, or regretting the expense, and considering it as ill-bestowed, or as not producing an equivalent of any kind - is not exactly the idea here. It is that we are to do it without murmuring or complaining. It greatly enhances the value of hospitality, that it be done on our part with entire cheerfulness. One of the duties involved in it is to make a guest happy; and this can be done in no other way than by showing him that he is welcome." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:9, "The proper objects of Christian hospitality are one another. The nearness of their relation, and the necessity of their condition in those times of persecution and distress, obliged Christians to be hospitable one to another. Sometimes Christians were spoiled of all they had, and were driven away to distant countries for safety. In this case they must starve if their fellow-Christians would not receive them. Therefore it was a wise and necessary rule which the Apostle here laid down. The manner of performing this duty is this: it must be done in an easy, kind, handsome manner, without grudging or grumbling at the expense or trouble. Learn, (1.) Christians ought not only to be charitable, but hospitable, one to another. (2.) Whatever a Christian does by way of charity or of hospitality, he ought to do it cheerfully, and without grudging. Freely you have received, freely give."

Now the Apostle Peter jumps into the spiritual gifts that our Lord Jesus Christ blessed us with, that is, gave to each one of us when we were born again into His Heavenly Eternal family 👪. Peter (just as Paul did) declares to us that we must us or employ our birthday gift from Christ Jesus our Lord for the edification or building up of other 'born ones', as Peter writes with these words, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (KJV). The little English phrase in this verse 'the gift' is translated by the Greek word charisma meaning a (Divine) gratuity, that is, (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift. The English word 'minister' is translated by the Greek word diakoneō meaning to be an attendant, that is, [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon. In other words, Peter is saying that we are to use our birthday spiritual gift form our Lord Jesus to build up His Body of which we are a part of His Body and just as we use our gift to build up other parts of the Body of Christ, we too are being built up 👆by those others with differing gifts than ours. The Apostle Paul describes it in this manner, "And [His gifts to the Church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as Apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as Prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as Evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as Pastors and Teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God's people) for works of service, to build up the Body of Christ [the Church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 1 Peter 4:10, "As every man hath received the gift,.... That is, from God, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions add. This is a general rule laid down by the Apostle, according to which, distribution of every kind, whether in things temporal or spiritual, is to be made, even according to the nature, quality, and quantity of the gift received: the greatest gift God bestows on men, next to Himself, Son, and Spirit, and received by them in this life, is special grace; which God gives of His Sovereign will and pleasure, liberally, abundantly, without the deserts of men, or conditions to be performed by them; of this kind are faith, repentance, hope, and love: the next to this is the ministerial gift, or what qualifies men for the work of the ministry; which is not anything in nature, or what is acquired by art and industry, but is a gift of grace, which is bestowed on some in a higher, on others in a lower degree: and besides these, there are the gifts of nature and providence, as human wisdom, and the knowledge of things natneighbours or companions, as the Syriac, version renders it; if the gift be special grace though that itself cannot be imparted from one to another, yet the knowledge of it may; and it becomes such who have an experience of the grace of God upon their hearts to make it known, both to particular friends in private conversation, and to the Church of God in public, for the use and edification of others, and the glory of God's grace: if the gift be a ministerial one, whether it be greater or less, for it is not in all alike, it is not to be wrapped up in a napkin, and hid in the earth, or to lie neglected, but to be stirred up, and used for the benefit of the souls of men: and if it is a temporal one, the good things of this life, according to the measure of them, that a man has, he is to minister to the supply of the poor; and as God has prospered him, he is to distribute to the necessities of others; as men freely receive, be it what it will, they should freely minister it, according to the nature and measure of it: as

 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 43

 Suffering for Jesus Part 13

1 Peter 4:7-8 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:7-8 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Now the Apostle Peter after having exhorted and encouraged and even enlisted those early believers 'in Christ' to employ themselves to turning away completely from their old life of drinking unto drunkenness and engaging in sexual immorality, he now gives them and us now the reason for our being steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58) as he writes these words, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." (1 Peter 4:7) (KJV). What does Peter mean by the 'end of all things'? Peter speaks of Christ return to the earth 🌎to judge, as it is written with these words, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalms 96:11-13) (ESV). Peter speaks so surely of this during the time he lived as if he expected the Lord's return any day, any hour, or any second. For even more sure than the sun ☀ rising and setting every day is the return of Christ Jesus our Lord to the earth 🌎. Even if we (as did Peter) physically die before He returns, the end of all things occurs then for every soul of man 👨, whether he be saved or lost. Therefore, Peter wants us who are saved to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, not in shame, but in joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). So, Peter uses the English phrase 'be ye therefore sober' which is translated by the Greek word sōphroneō which means to be of sound mind, that is, sane, (figuratively) moderate: - be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly. Peter also uses the little English word 'watch' which is translated by the Greek word nēphō which means (figuratively) be discreet: - be sober, watch. Watch unto prayer says Peter, that is, since the end of all things is at hand we should be in constant prayer (pray without ceasing) (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for the strength 💪of Christ's grace to keep us in His love and in obedience to His Word. We will do so if we pray as Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church ⛪with these words, "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people." (Ephesians 6:18) (AMP). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 4:7, "Resuming the idea in 1 Peter 4:5. the end of all things — and therefore also of the wantonness (1 Peter 4:3-4) of the wicked, and of the sufferings of the righteous [Bengel]. The nearness meant is not that of mere 'time,' but that before the Lord; as he explains to guard against misapprehension, and defends God from the charge of procrastination: We live in the last dispensation, not like the Jews under the Old Testament. The Lord will come as a thief; He is 'ready' (1 Peter 4:5) to judge the world at any moment; it is only God's long-suffering and His will that the Gospel should be preached as a witness to all nations, that induces Him to lengthen out the time which is with Him still as nothing. sober — 'self-restrained.' The opposite duties to the sins in (1 Peter 4:3) are here inculcated. Thus 'sober' is the opposite of 'lasciviousness' (1 Peter 4:3). watch — Greek, 'be soberly vigilant'; not intoxicated with worldly cares and pleasures. Temperance promotes wakefulness or watchfulness, and both promote prayer. Drink makes drowsy, and drowsiness prevents prayer.

prayer — Greek, 'prayers'; the end for which we should exercise vigilance."

The Apostle Peter now exhorts those early believers and we today and all true believers 'in Christ' of every era and generation to do that with one another that is above all things whatsoever and that is to truly love each other. True love 😍does no harm, it bears all things, endures all things, and true love never ever is glad in wrong doing but only in the truth, that is, all that is given to us children 🧒of God in the Word of Truth (1 Corinthians 13) (Psalms 119:43) (Psalms 119:160) (Ephesians 1:13). When we love our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' as He loves us, we care more for their well being, their comfort, and their walking and living according to the will of God than any thing else. So, Peter exhorts us with these words, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) (KJV). Peter uses the little English word 'above' which is translated by the Greek word pro which is a primary preposition meaning in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to. It means our love for one another as 'born ones' should be the most important thing to us in this sojourn and pilgrimage home to heaven, for if we cannot nor will not love one another 'in truth' now in time ⌚when we will spend eternity with one another, then something is severely wrong. We should heed/listen carefully to the words spoken by Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:13-15) (ESV). Since our desire for ourselves is all that is good, then we need to have the same desire (and even more so) for all others that Christ has given the gift of eternal life. This love for each other should be intensely emotional seeking only the good of all other true believers, not that we should use them in any capacity or that we should abuse them in any capacity, that is, be found defrauding another brother 'in Christ' by flirting with or lusting after or even sleeping with another brother 'in Christ' wife, instead heeding the words of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, "That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." (1 Thessalonians 4:6) (ESV). Love and lust are like positive and negative, like hot and cold, like right and wrong, like oil 🛢and water 💦, the two don't mix for they are the opposite of one another, therefore, let us love 'in truth' (1 John 3:18). Note: "Help me your son Dear Father, Dear Lord Jesus, & Dear Holy Spirit to do just this. Amen!!!" Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:8, "Here is a noble rule in Christianity. Christians ought to love one another, which implies an affection to their persons, a desire of their welfare, and a hearty endeavour to promote it. This mutual affection must not be cold, but fervent, that is, sincere, strong, and lasting. This sort of earnest affection is recommended above all things, which shows the importance of it, Colossians 3:14. It is greater than faith or hope, 1 Corinthians 13:13. One excellent effect of it is that it will cover a multitude of sins. Learn, (1.) There ought to be in all Christians a more fervent charity/love towards one another than towards other men: Have charity/love among yourselves. He does not say for pagans, for idolaters, or for apostates, but among yourselves. Let brotherly love continue, Hebrews 13:1. There is a special relation between all sincere Christians, and a particular amiableness and good in them, which require special affection. (2.) It is not enough for Christians not to bear malice, nor to have common respect for one another, they must intensely and fervently love each other. (3.) It is the property of true charity/love to cover a multitude of sins. It inclines people to forgive and forget offences against themselves, to cover and conceal the sins of others, rather than aggravate them and spread them abroad. It teaches us to love those who are but weak, and who have been guilty of many evil things before their conversion; and it prepares for mercy at the Hand of God, who hath promised to forgive those that forgive others, Matthew 6:14."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 42

 Suffering for Jesus Part 12

1 Peter 4:6 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. KJV  Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:6 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "For this is why the Gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does."

Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:6 as translated by the AMP=Amplified Bible: "For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God."

Here once again we come to a passage of Scripture that is very hard to understand (1 Peter 4:6) even after much prayer, reading, and meditation upon it, for I am one who believes greatly that there is no second (2) chance for any sinner to hear the Gospel of God preached to them after their physical death and my reasoning for this is what the writer of Hebrews declares with these words, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27) (ESV). This surely includes all of mankind from Adam until the last human born into the earth 🌎realm before Christ comes to put an end to time ⌚. What was the method or manner of the people written of in the Old Testament of being right with God? Well, when the first man and woman Adam and Eve sinned, the Lord God slew an animal and made tunics of animal skins and clothed them with it. In so doing, this was given to Adam as the way to have his sin covered by the shedding of the blood of an animal to make atonement or compensation before the Lord God to cover his sin. This method of animal sacrifice Adam passed down to all of his early offspring that came from his knowing (having sexual relations) his wife Eve. This is why we see that the offering of Cain to the Lord God of the fruit of the ground was rejected, but Abel his brother offered the acceptable sacrifice of the first of the flock of sheep (blood atonement), for as it is written, "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrews 9:22) (ESV). The writer of Hebrews also declares this of Abel and his sacrifice to the Lord God, "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4) (ESV). So, as we have understood from the things Peter has written earlier in this first (1st) letter ✉, that God's way of knowing Him and being right 👉with Him was made clear to the early descendants of Adam, yet the corrupt nature of man 👨with the majority of Adam's descendants was what was lived out predominately on the earth as we saw with Cain, for there were fewer Abel's and Noah's of early man. Therefore, we have read 📖from Peter of how Christ was in Noah preaching the Gospel to the people for 120 years while Noah prepared or built the Ark of Salvation from the Flood of God's Wrath against sin. The Lord God then makes a Covenant with one man named Abram (whose name God would change latter to Abraham) and from this Covenant the Jewish Nation was created by God. From this time forward, the Lord God had a special relationship with one group of people (above all others) on the earth 🌎. All the other nations of people's on the earth 🌎, were known only as Gentiles. How were the Gentiles of this time saved or were they saved at all? It appears to have been much war happening between the People of Israel and the Gentiles. However, we do find with Abraham that he made a Covenant with the Gentile King Abimelech, as it is written, "Now at that time Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, 'God is with you in everything you do; so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived).'And Abraham said, 'I will swear.'" (Genesis 21-22-24) (AMP). "So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement). " (Genesis 21:27) (AMP). So, we see that some nations and individual Gentiles made Covenants with Israel and perhaps were taught of God through them to look forward to the future Messiah's reign and rule on the earth 🌎. However, the full truth of the Gospel of Christ was hidden in the days of old 🧓, even from the House 🏡of Israel, as it is written by the Apostle Paul with these words, "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. Of this Gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the Church the manif. And so it was and so it is that God does all things by His Eternal Wisdom and Power and all that He does is right 👉, true, and just. Amen!!!

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:6, "Some understand this difficult place thus: For this cause was the Gospel preached to all the faithful of old, who are now dead in Christ, that thereby they might be taught and encouraged to bear the unrighteous judgments and persecutions which the rage of men put upon them in the flesh, but might live in the Spirit unto God. Others take the expression, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, in a spiritual sense, thus: The Gospel was preached to them, to judge them, condemn them, and reprove them, for the corruption of their natures, and the viciousness of their lives, while they lived after the manner of the heathen or the mere natural man; and that, having thus mortified their sins, they might live according to God, a new and spiritual life. Take it thus; and thence learn, 1. The mortifying of our sins and living to God are the expected effects of the Gospel preached to us. 2. God will certainly reckon with all those who have had the Gospel preached to them, but without these good effec1 Peter 4:6, "For — giving the reason for 1 Peter 4:5, 'judge the dead.' The Gospel preached also to ... dead — as well as to them now living, and to them that shall be found alive at the coming of the Judge. 'Dead' must be taken in the same literal sense as in 1 Peter 4:5, which refutes the explanation 'dead' in sins. Moreover, the absence of the Greek article does not necessarily restrict the sense of 'dead' to particular dead persons, for there is no Greek article in 1 Peter 4:5 also, where 'the dead' is universal in meaning. The sense seems to be, Peter, as representing the true attitude of the Church in every age, expecting Christ at any moment, says, The Judge is ready to judge the quick and dead - the dead, I say, for they, too, in their lifetime, have had the Gospel preached to them, that so they might be judged at last in the same way as those living now (and those who shall be so when Christ shall come), namely, 'men in the flesh,' and that they might, having escaped condemnation by embracing the Gospel so preached, live unto God in the spirit (though death has passed over their flesh), Luke 20:38, thus being made like Christ in death and in life (see on 1 Peter 3:18). He says, 'live, not 'made alive or quickened; for they are supposed to have been already 'quickened together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). This verse is parallel to 1 Peter 3:18; The Gospel, substantially, was 'preached' to the Old Testament Church; though not so fully as to the New Testament Church. It is no valid objection that the Gospel has not been preached to all that shall be found dead at Christ's coming. For Peter is plainly referring only to those within reach of the Gospel, or who might have known God through His ministers in Old and New Testament times. Peter, like Paul, argues that those found living at Christ's coming shall have no advantage above the dead who shall then be raised, inasmuch as the latter live unto, or 'according to,' God, even already in His purpose. Alford's explanation is wrong, 'that they might be judged according to men as regards the flesh,' that is, be in the state of the completed sentence on sin, which is death after the flesh. For 'judged' cannot have a different meaning in this verse from what 'judge' bears in 1 Peter 4:5. 'Live according to God' means, live a life with God, such as God lives, Divine; as contrasted with 'according to men in the flesh,' that is, a life such as men live in the flesh." Here also is what Adam Clarke had to say of 1 Peter 4:6, "Was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead - This is a most difficult verse; the best translations I have seen of it are the following: - 'For this indeed was the effect of the preaching of the Gospel to the dead, (the unconverted Gentiles), that some will be punished as carnal men; but others, (those converted to Christianity), lead a spiritual life unto God.' - Wakefield. 'For this purpose hath the Gospel been preached even to the dead, (i.e. the Gentiles), that although they might be condemned, indeed, by men in the flesh, (their persecutors), yet they might live eternally by God in the Spirit.' - Macknight. 'For this cause was the Gospel preached to them that were dead; that they who live according to men in the flesh, may be condemned; but that they who live according to God in the Spirit, may live.' - Knatchbull. There are as many different translations of this verse, and comments upon it, as there are translators and commentators. That of Sir Norton Knatchbull, could the Greek text bear it, appears the most simple; but that of Dr. Macknight, which is nearly the sense given by Mr. Wesley in his Paraphrase, is more likely to be the true one among those already proposed. But if the Apostle had the same fact in view which he mentions, 1 Peter 3:19-20, then the antediluvians are the persons intended: For this cause - that Christ is prepared to judge the quick and the dead, and to dispense righteous judgment in consequence of having afforded them every necessary advantage, was the Gospel preached by Noah to them also who are dead - the antediluvian world, then dead in trespasses and sins, and condemned to death by the righteous judgment of God; but in His great compassion He afforded them a respite, that though they were condemned as men in the flesh, (for this was their character; my Spirit will not always strive with man, forasmuch as he is Flesh, Genesis 6:3), yet, hearing this Gospel by Noah, they may believe, and live according to God in the Spirit - live a blessed life in eternity according to the mercy of God, who sent His Spirit to strive with them. This appears to me to be the most consistent sense; especially as the Apostle seems to refer to what he had said of the Spirit of Christ in Noah preaching to the spirits in prison - the rebellions that lived before the flood."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…