Lesson 4986

 (Lesson 4986) (09-25-25) 1st Peter 2:17-25 

  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Peter calls us to live with respect, patience, and faithfulness. We are told to honor everyone, love the brotherhood of man and fear God. Workers are urged to submit to their bosses, not only when they are kind but even when they are harsh, because enduring unjust suffering for a clean conscience toward God is commendable. If a person suffers for doing wrong, there is no credit, but if they endure suffering for doing good, it is pleasing to God. Peter points to Christ as the example: He suffered without sin, did not even attempt to retaliate, and committed Himself to God who is the righteouns judge. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross so we could die to sin and live to eternal righteousness through Him. ~

Lesson 4985

 (Lesson 4985) (09-24-25) 1st Peter 2:11-16 

   “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 

 

   Today’s lesson urges us to live as strangers to this world, avoiding sinful weaknesses that fight against the soul. We are told to live good, honest lives among unbelievers so that even when criticized, the small amount of good works we do will point people to God. We are to submit to legal authority, no matter who that might be, because the rules of the land are meant to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do right. By doing what is right we silence the ignorance of foolish and evil people. We are to live free, yet not use our freedom as a cover for wrongdoing, but as servants of God. ~ 

Lesson 4984

 (Lesson 4984) (09-23-25) 1st Peter 2:1-10 

   “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 

 

   Today’s quote encourages us to get rid of things like bitterness, lying, hypocrisy, jealousy, and gossip. Instead, we should crave God’s Word the way a newborn baby craves milk, so we can grow strong in faith. Peter said that when we come to Jesus, the “living stone” that the Jews rejected but that God has chosen, we are being built into a spiritual house where we serve as holy priests, offering up ourselves in worship that pleases God through Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone that holds everything together. For those who believe, He is precious, but for those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling block. Finally, Peter reminds us that believers are God’s chosen people, set apart to show His greatness. We’ve been brought out of darkness into His light. Once we had no identity as God’s people, but now we belong to Him and have received His mercy. ~ 

Lesson 4983

 (Lesson 4983) (09-22-25) 1st Peter 1:10-25 

   “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 

 

   Today’s lesson reflects on the message of salvation and calls us to holiness in our everyday lives. Peter explains that the prophets of old looked forward to this salvation, trying to understand the time and circumstances of Christ’s sufferings and the glory that would follow through His amazing saving grace. God showed to them that they were not serving themselves but rather future generations, as their prophecies pointed to the gospel that was preached through the Holy Spirit, truths so profound that even angels desire to see them. Because of this, we are urged to prepare our minds, be sober, and rest in faith that God’s amazing saving grace will be revealed at the coming of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, we should not conform to our old sins, but live in holiness, as our heavenly Father, Himself is holy. In short, this lesson shows that eternal salvation has always come through faith in Jesus Christ, foretold by the prophets, revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. ~