A Holy People

November 1, 2009

Background Scripture: 1 Peter 1
Lesson Passage: 1 Peter 1:13 – 25

The author of today’s lesson, the Apostle Peter, was a fisherman by trade. It is important to note that so that we look at his writing not as one who was a career theologian but as one who had a most astounding revelation of God through Jesus Christ. Peter, most likely, was the second person to openly state the revelation of Jesus’ true identity during the time of his earthly ministry. Peter’s statement, which Jesus validated had come from the Father in Heaven, was made as Jesus and his disciples came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. The first to publically reveal Jesus’ identity was John the Baptist who testified that it was God who revealed it to him. Today’s lesson passage is a summary statement of expected Christian behavior in light of knowing one’s identity in God through Jesus Christ. The passage begins with the word “wherefore”. The word “wherefore” joins today’s lesson to the pretext of Peter’s epistle. The pretext is Peter’s statement of the Christian’s spiritual identity and the process that God used to bring about this identity. First and foremost, Christians are the elect of God because of the Father’s foreknowledge of us. Because the Father knew us before we were, He also knew that we would accept by faith the grace that would be offered to us. Having such wonderful knowledge of us, then the Holy Ghost sanctified us, or set us apart for God’s own purpose, that we might be made obedient to the Father’s will for us. Finally, we were sprinkled with the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from sin. Here in his opening salutation, Peter relates the triune nature of God as he has revealed himself to us: Father, Holy Ghost, and Son, Jesus. It is for this reason that I thought it necessary to state that Peter was a fisherman by trade and not a theologian. God’s nature could only be described as such by one who has had an encounter with God. Our new birth has made us keenly aware of God’s mercy and the ever-present hope He has given us through the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection. We have been made beneficiaries of the promises of God which are being held in reserve for us in heaven. Furthermore, we who are saved, are being kept “saved” by God’s power so that He might reveal us at the end of time. This speaks to the question of whether a person who is saved can be lost again. Since we are kept by God’s power, if we could lose our salvation, then God by conclusion could not be omnipotent or all powerful. Peter reassures Christians that our salvation is safe in the hands of God. Peter suggested that this knowledge be used as encouragement for Christians who face persecution. A Christian going through persecution should be looked at as gold going through fire. The fire does not harm gold but instead separates the impurities and thereby makes the gold even more precious than before. The uniqueness of our salvation was spoken of by the prophets of old through the Spirit of Christ working in them. Created spiritual beings even desired to know the extent of God’s grace that was to be made available to persons who accept by faith God’s only begotten son, Jesus. It is with this backdrop that we enter into the text of today’s lesson. Christians are a holy people because of what God has done and because of God’s purpose for doing it.

Robert C. Hudson
October 23, 2009

Opting Out

October 25, 2009

Background Scripture: Mark 10:17 – 31
Lesson Passage: Mark 10:17 – 31

It seems not long ago that we were reviewing this particular incident in Sunday School. This passage of scripture tells of Jesus’ encounter with a rich young ruler. One needs to summarize all three accounts from the synoptic gospel writers to arrive at such a title. Luke refers to the man as a ruler while Matthew states that he was young. All accounts agree that he was indeed wealthy. These three descriptors, rich, young, and ruler make for a powerful concoction when confronted with the gospel. It is rare, even today, for a person to achieve all three at the same time. It is not so uncommon for one to have two of the three. Wealth often brings worldly influence and position but wealth and position typically come after many years of planning and hard work beyond our youthful years. On the other hand, when young people inherit wealth, it doesn’t always translate into the type of respect that offers influence and position. To be young, living large and in charge, is almost ideal from a worldly perspective. How many times did I wonder as a young man what it would be like to be wealthy and in charge? In fact, how many times as a young man did I wonder what it would be like to be wealthy OR in charge? The young man in our lesson today certainly seems as though he had it all. But what we see on the outside looking in can be very different from what the person on the inside is experiencing as he looks out. We see a young man who has all that the world has to offer but we are overlooking a young man who is in need of something that the world cannot offer him. He turns to the one who is able to meet his need, Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is the only one who has what the young man is looking for. So he comes to the right person. He also comes in the right way. The scripture says that he ran to Jesus and kneeled down before him. For a young person with so much going for him, this is a very humbling position to take in front of others. He also asked the right question. He wanted to know how to have eternal life. In other words, he wanted to know how to live beyond the typical lifespan experience. Note that he did not ask to be removed from this world nor from this life. Perhaps he just wanted to not die. If the life he was living was ideal, then perhaps the only thing bugging him was that his life would come to an end one day. Jesus then makes it clear that living good does not assure a person of living eternally. Jesus outlines from the Ten Commandments the behavior that defines good character and the young man acknowledged that he had done those things since his youth. Now the real requirement is presented to him. Jesus is the only way to enter eternal life and therefore it is necessary to follow him. Following Jesus may require turning loose or giving up some worldly things that may be a hindrance. What a tough choice this young man had to make. This choice could upset his Balance Sheet; His worldly Assets had become his spiritual Liability. His option was either this or that. He opted out of Jesus’ plan. What about you? Have you been presented with a tough choice concerning the kingdom of God?

Robert C. Hudson
October 14, 2009