Download Peter`s Instructions To The Saints

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Peter’s Instructions To The
Saints
1 Peter 3:8-17
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*Every page of the epistles contains instructions to the
saints of God.
*These are not suggestions as so many treat them, but
commands by which God holds us each accountable.
*These commands not only demand our obedience, but
they also inform us why we are to do them.
*God wants each of us to have good relationships.
*With God and with others.
*We cannot have a good relationship with God if we
cannot get along with others.
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*8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion
one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous:
9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but
contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto
called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let
him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they
speak no guile:
11. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek
peace, and ensue it.
*12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his
ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil.
13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that
which is good?
14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye:
and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of
you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse
your good conversation in Christ.
17. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for
well doing, than for evil doing.
*8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion
one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous ;
*Many passages instructing us to be of the same mind.
Philippians 2:1-2; Romans 12:10,16; Ephesians 4:32, 1
Corinthians 1:10
*Romans 14:19: “Therefore let us pursue the things
which make for peace and the things by which one
may edify another”.
*Compassion for one another is linked in theses same
thoughts.
*Humble in spirit.
*Kindness is courteous.
*9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit
a blessing.
*We may think payback is sweet, but God does
not.
*God called us to be above all the pettiness
that plagues mankind.
*If we can rise to the great standard God has
called us to, there will be blessings for us.
*10. For he that will love life, and see good
days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips that they speak no guile:
*If we want blessings in this life, we have to
make the effort to refrain our tongue from
that which most people consider normal.
*All of our speech needs to be controlled.
*It needs to be only that which edifies others,
and seasoned as it were with salt.
*11. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace,
and ensue it.
*This means to turn away from evil even though we cannot
escape it. No matter if the entire world does evil, our duty is
to do good.
*An entire lesson can be had describing what God considers
good.
*Ephesians 2:10: Christians are created in Christ Jesus for good
works.
*Jesus went about doing good.
*We are to be like Him.
*Seeking peace, getting along with others should be our goal.
(This does not mean compromise your principles to get
along).
*12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers: but the face of the Lord is against
them that do evil.
*God does look over His righteous ones to do
good to them (Romans 8:28—them that love
Him).
*He hears our prayers when we pray properly.
*Anyone who does evil in any way, God is
against.
*13. And who is he that will harm you, if
ye be followers of that which is good?
*If God be for us, who can be against us?
*What can man do to our soul?
*He may take our life, but our soul is
protected by God.
*So as long as we try to do good to
others, God has our back.
*14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake,
happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled;
*Acts 4:
Peter and John were beaten for the
name of Christ, and they were joyful.
*When you do good and suffer for it, you can
just imagine the proud smile of our Heavenly
Father.
*Do not worry.
*How many times are we given that instruction
in scripture?
*15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:
*Sanctify: Set apart for a purpose.
*Meaning: Put God foremost in your life.
*By doing so, others may see your confidence in life
and God, and may be moved to ask you about your
faith, because they want that same kind of faith in
their lives.
*Whenever we have an opportunity to tell people
about God, we must do so carefully and with
reverence and respect (for God, and the people we
are talking to).
*16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they
speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation
in Christ.
*Sure you are going to receive accusations.
Some of
these may cause you to doubt yourself. But if you are
fully convinced in your mind that you are right before
God, you will have a clean, good conscience.
*Those who speak evil of you will be shown to be
wrong and hopefully, they will be embarrassed.
*Conversation means “MANNER OF LIFE”.
*17. For it is better, if the will of God be
so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for
evil doing.
*Things may not always work out for the
best.
*But in the end, we had better be doing
what God wants us to do, than be doing
things He is not pleased with.
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*The chapter finishes out focusing upon
Jesus, our perfect example explaining
that our behavior should be what God
wants us to be.
*All of these thoughts should impress upon
us the need to build and maintain good
relationships in every walk of life.
*Now, do you measure up to God’s
standard?