Heralds Digest

"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." (1 Peter 4:1 NKJV) Spiritual suffering involves a deliberate admission of pain on the flesh in order to please God. Since the flesh prefers pride to pain, it takes the grace of God for anyone to voluntarily accommodate spiritual suffering. Unlike the carnal suffering for unrighteousness, spiritual suffering embraces freedom from sin for godliness sake. Therefore, the high point of genuine godliness is not the pain from suffering upon the flesh, but the cessation of the power of sin over the flesh.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear". (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV) Calmness in the heart in times of relative peace changes normally to chaos when trouble arises. However, Apostle Paul's experience with Jesus on the sea when storm threatened to capsize their boat teaches the best way to keep the heart stable at all times. To sanctify the Lord God in our hearts is to retain the respect of what He says (or His silence) as final, irrespective of the change in environment. Christ's authority is never threatened by our life's challenges and circumstances, but by our lack of hope or reasonable respect.

"For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."" (1 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV) The essence of good life is the fellowship of love; and everyone is prepared to make reasonable sacrifice to secure good life. Unfortunately, a selfish pursuit of good life often result in the sowing of evil seeds, especially when personal efforts on reasonable sacrifice appear threatened. Unknowingly, no single seed sown either on desired land or on strange territories will fail to return fruit to the sower. Therefore, it pays to stick to sowing blessings, even to the affairs of all acclaimed enemies in families and societal relationships. Every evil seed sown anywhere and anytime is a time tomb in the sower...

"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7 NKJV) Submission of wives to husbands and respects of wives by husbands are two sides of the same spousal coin. In fact, each party is expected to be preoccupied with the perfection of his or her own side of the coin, rather than demanding compliance from the partner. Unlike the active call for the submission of wives, wisdom is required from husbands in order to accommodate the sensitive frame of wives. This wisdom teaches that project delay, in order to pass the spousal approval gate, is better than project denial, occasioned by disrespect of wives' views.

"...rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4 NKJV) The fashion world drives attraction with outward adornment. It is generally acceptable that proper personality address is enhanced by prosperous physical attire. However, the attraction from physical attire may not be sustainable, especially due to possible familiarity contempt. Conversely, attraction to the hidden person of the heart is powered by the grace of God through chaste conduct. No one may clearly see the love of Christ in man; and further get deceived by worldly lust and affection.

"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.