SERVICE After discipline there follows duty. We are to be of a sound mind and be sober (vrs. 7). The nearness of the Lord's return is at hand. The disciplined mind is going to follow from the expectation of Christ's coming again. The believer is to have thought out things on the ba sis of the Word of God. His con jectures are not to be based upon the emotions but what God has said. The exhortation to sobriety calls for seriousness. We are reminded of this in 1:13. We are to set our attention and expectation upon the hope of the grace of Cod revealed in Jesus Christ. This word of en couragement should literally drive us to prayer where we will ask for divine aid and help. After this we must get active being fervent in our love for one another, as well as for a lost and dying world. How interesting that Peter en courages hospitality (vrs. 9) "with out murmuring about it." This is a practical way to minister our gifts. When we are called upon to do something tangible for the Lord do we grumble, or is it something we enter into with joy of heart? In verse 11 we see two other gifts which are somewhat related: speaking and ministering. Howev er they are classified our purpose should be "that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever." Again, the whole pur pose is not that the church may be forwarded, or that we personally may have something to boast of, but instead that Cod Himself may be glorified in His Son.
prison, in the abode of the wicked dead. Next we move to the question of baptism. Some would have us believe from verse 21 that this or dinance saves. By noting the quali fying phrases, however, it becomes very evident that baptism itself is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but it is the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In other words, baptism is a matter of obedience to the Word of God. It does not gain for one eternal life. It is an outward sign of an inward change of heart. The third area of suffering is found in 4:1-11 which begins with an exhortation to discipline. We are to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. How foolish for men to think that power, money, position or something else would be enough armament. We think of the pan oply of the believer for the war fare mentioned in Eph. 6. To the Philippians Paul rightly told them to have the mind of Christ. To arm yourself with the mind of Christ means to live according to Cod's will. Our purpose should never be to gratify the flesh. Are we desirous of doing Cod's will? Criticism will follow as it did in Peter's day. We have to realize that if we do not live according to the dictates of this society we will probably be looked upon as an ev il doer. Still our purpose should be to make certain that we are not fashioned according to the dic tates of the course of this age. We cannot be brought low because of those who would revile us (vrs. 5). Again, we are to base our actions very clearly and straightforwardly upon the Word of God. Page 24
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