Heralds Digest

"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." (1 Peter 2:20 NKJV) Quality services within the system of the world are driven by proven reward system. No one is encouraged to do good, if it is clear that harsh treatment will follow the gesture. Unfortunately, focus on the rewards, rather than the good services, override the interests of people in all of human reward systems. However, the divine reward system is based on faith in God, who judges righteously the intent of the heart of man behind every service. With patience on the true Judge, after series of possible uncomplimentary rewards from men, commendable services attract uncompromising reward from God.

"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." (1 Peter 2:17 NKJV) Those who keep a clear history of abuse and disrespect know the limit of honor in human relationship. Unfortunately, a dishonor service cannot reciprocate honor to the server. Rather, it propagates an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust. The scripture teaches the fear of God as the priority in every human relationship. A shift in the pursuit of self dignity to the passion for righteousness remains the basis for unconditional honor service. Instead of pressing a fruitless complaints button over dishonor services, wisdom wins evil with good.

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV) Without a consistent focus on eternity, abuse of privileges for earthly gain is synonymous to smartness. Unfortunately, sensual smartness appeals only to fleshly desires without due consideration for the safety of the soul. For example, the pursuit of sexual pleasures, material gains, economic advantages, business/employment promotions, and all forms of fleshly desires can easily override the interest of the soul. However, sojourners and pilgrims on earth will not exchange their hope of heaven for any form of fleshly desire.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) Special recognition without serious commitment is delightful. Like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus Christ, religious people appreciate appointments with prestigious titles and privileges, as long as a call to personal commitment is not demanded. However, association with Jesus Christ demands personal commitment to His word. This implies that religion without evidence of righteousness represents a mockery of association with Christ. Unlike religious people, righteous people recognize their calling to be the reflector of the light; and not merely the receptor of the light.

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:1-2 NKJV) Real people struggle daily with offenses. However, not many contemplate on the appropriate treatment for offenses. Irrespective of the state of mind, offenses feed on nothing but the variants of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking. Fortunately, the scripture says there is always an alternative diet in the word of God - the undiluted and gracious pacifier . After all, only the nutrients in the pure milk of God's word guarantee growth. Therefore, preference of the counsel of God over the sympathy in man's unrighteous expressions represents the ultimate desire for growing in grace.

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." (1 Peter 1:22 NKJV) The struggle in the heart of man with the saving truth will not be exposed, until the can of offences within is busted. Otherwise, peace among family members at home, brethren in any system, and people in the general society, is threatened with graceless truth. Therefore, it behooves the truth bearer to always search within for freedom from offense slavery, before embarking on a rescue mission. The grace of God will buy a sincere love in order to sell a saving truth.

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." (1 Peter 1:22 NKJV) The power of purity in the truth is not in its declaration; truth works purity with obedience. The declaration of the truth, without the willingness to obey, can be thorny and controversial. However, the garbage of unrighteousness falls off fast from the mind with every commitment to the truth. A graceless truth can boast of its understanding, it does no good to neither others nor the bearer. Unlike graceless truth, saving truth boasts only in the grace of God and a commitment to brethren' love.