Our Shepherd and Overseer of Our Souls

In the past, I have heard haters of Christianity who often happen to be atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and usually on the far-leftist spectrum of ideology use some of the verses of 1 Peter 2:13-25 as a hammer to tell Christians to "submit to civil authorities" of any kind - even if they are evil and dangerous. At the time that this book of the Bible was written, the people of that era (including Peter, a strong disciple of Christ), were under the harsh authority of Nero. They were persecuted and often caused to submit to unjust suffering.

It is believed that Peter was martyred by Nero. He was to be executed just like Christ, but Peter didn't feel worthy to die in the same way as his Lord and Savior. Therefore, he wanted to be crucified upside down.

I see many parallels in today's persecution of Christians around the world. Even in America, we see this current scandal ridden, America destroying, lying and godless administration use their power of authority (and their freedom to choose to do terrible things with such power) as a cover-up for evil. Many at the top levels of our government do absolutely alarming things that don't make sense (unless one realizes that it is by intentional design to destroy our Constitutional Republic and replace it with a globalist Marxist Islamo-Fascist, anti-Christian, anti-Israel dictatorship kind of government) and do not show proper respect towards our people, our allies, and especially our best friend in the Middle East, Israel.

1 Peter 2 shares reasons why we must endure the suffering inflicted by such a government.

1Pe 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

But it also shows that such an evil government does not actually deserve its' people to submit to the current civil authorities because of the evil being inflicted upon its people. Such evil is often caused by the rejection of Christ:

1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--

1Pe 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." [fn]

1Pe 2:7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, [fn]" [fn]

  1Pe 2:8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." [fn] They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.

  NIV Footnotes:
  (2:6) Isaiah 28:16 (2:7) Or cornerstone

  Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  Further down in the 1 Peter 2:13-25 verses, we find that being conscious of God makes it commendable for us to endure it. I think that this is what millions of Christians in America and  around the world are doing today; despite the awful and terrible conditions that they are suffering under due to corrupt and evil governments.

When Christians suffer unjustly, we recall that Jesus Christ suffered for us; which stands as an example on how we can endure it. We should follow in his footsteps.

This is why the majority of TEA Party Patriots, many of whom are Christian Conservatives, protest and work against our unjust governmental practices in peaceful ways.

1Pe 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

  When a governmental authority seems to get away with so much corruption and evil, it is difficult to endure it by human effort alone. That is why we need Christ - as our Cornerstone - in our lives. Many Christians (including me), are continually praying for patience while enduring the knowledge of how outrageously bad this current government here in America really is!

1Pe 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Jesus told us that in this world we will have many trials, tribulations, and sorrows. But we are to take heart because He has overcome the world!

Jhn 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Admittedly, it is hard to submit to rulers who are evil and unjust. The Bible says that such rulers are ignorant and foolish:

1Pe 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

  And, 1 Peter 1:24-25 helps to put them (and even me) in their place. It shows the reality of the fact that our time on this earth is like a brief breath compared to existence in eternity!

1Pe 1:24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

1Pe 1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." [fn] And this is the word that was preached to you.

  Studying the Bible helps Christians realize that worldly wisdom is only earthly. It is an nonspiritual and demonic type of wisdom.   The desires of such "wisdom" take us away from God's Word, wisdom, and purpose in this life.  That is why the "world" can proudly claim that abortion is O.K. and that "gay" behavior and same-sex marriage isn't wrong.

Studying, applying, and sharing God's wisdom from the Bible brings reasonableness. It is wisdom from the Lord that brings truth, salvation, and peace in the hearts of all believers.

 No matter what transpires on this earth, NO ONE can take away the joy of God's elect!

 Although we are like strangers in the world, we praise God for His mercy, grace and love; and for Him having chosen us "out of the world" according to the foreknowledge of God. Through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, we become more obedient to Christ because of his sacrifice of blood for our sakes and for our salvation.

I often praise God in prayer for the great mercy he has given me via the new birth (See John 3) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. His historically undisputed  resurrection to life on the third day proves who Jesus really is and the inheritance that he offers his own can never perish, spoil or fade. It is kept in heaven for me by God's power until salvation which is to be revealed in the last days.

As God's children, we are purposed to "be holy, because God is holy."

I recently looked up the definition of "holy" in the dictionary. Most definitions include some version of the following:

 "dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. Saintly, godly pious, devout. Having a spiritually pure quality. Entitled to worship."

  However, according to the Word Origin and History book, "holy" means:

 "that must be preserved whole or intact, that cannot be transgressed or violated."

That definition explains exactly why Christ came to this earth to die for our sins on the cross at Calvary. That is why God the Father turned away as all of the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus while on that cross. That is why Jesus, who usually referred to God as his "Father" cried out, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It was Jesus in his humanity, who for the first time had to suffer a time of separation away from God the Father as he bore our sin in his body in order to redeem those of us who repent, confess, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!  This affords us the opportunity to be forgiven and reunited with God for all eternity!

As I had stated in my previous post - what could possibly be better?

People these days stumble over Christ. They reject what they do not know or understand.  They often mock, ridicule, disparage, and hate Christ and his followers. They are utterly foolish to reject God's provision for salvation!

Jesus is so precious to those who believe in him!  He is precious to God the Father. However, Psalm 118:22, which was quoted by Christ in Matthew 21:33-42 tells us:

"the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."

Someone (Jesus) who is so "marvelous in our eyes" was rejected by those who refused to believe that he was (and is!) the long-awaited Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament!

  Paul informs us how to fight against "the weapons of the world." Our weapons are the Bible, prayer, and the Gospel of Christ!

2Cr 10:3  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

2Cr 10:4  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2Cr 10:5  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The truth is, the only hope of the lost - those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ - is the Gospel message.

I love the way Peter ends the second chapter:

1Pe 2:24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

1Pe 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.