I do hope that we all
woke up today with the intent of "rising and shining for Jesus" - the intent
of glorifying God in our lives. It is an attitude of the heart, is it not?
I have a mini-poster that I purchased for my children when we first started
homeschooling that states, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
Perhaps some of you have seen it in the stores... How true this statement
is, amen? I hope the attitude you are carrying with you today is one that
would make a big difference in the lives of others - a difference for the
glory of God!
As I was reading this morning in 1 Peter chapter 2, it led me to thinking
back on my childhood days at play in the great outdoors. Those of you who
are mothers of boys know especially how many "treasures" children can find
along their way at play that they fill up their little pockets with! Upon
their return home, they typically empty (all over your kitchen table) their
little pile of treasures while excitedly explaining each one to you and the
precise location it was found. Of course, the best treasure is saved for last
as they pull out one of those special stones they've found which they are
certain must be gold because it has "sparkles" all over it! Such is the glow
that caught their eye and caused them to choose this stone above all the others
in their path of play. Just like me, you probably realized this was serious
business to these little treasure hunters and so you did your best to sound
sincere in your "oohs" and "aahs" as you looked the "gold" over. This one
particular stone is very precious to them and now takes the honored position
of sitting on the top of their dresser for all who enter their room to view.
Such was my train of thought as I read 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 6-7 which
say:
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not
be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:...."
When we obtain salvation, Jesus Christ becomes precious to us - much like
that one particular stone found that looks like "gold". We are taken up completely
with His beauty.... The "sparkle" that caught our eye, the light that drew
us to trust in Him has made Him our greatest treasure, amen? Daily we should
seek to display Christ foremost in our lives by giving Him first place in
all we do and say, that rightful place of honor.... Believers have tasted
firsthand that the Lord is gracious as verse 3 of 1 Peter 2 states, and as
verse 4 points out, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed
of men, but chosen of God, and precious". Yes, Jesus is a living stone, chosen
and precious to the Father Himself, who in turn also makes us "lively stones"
as we come to Christ and receive life through Him. (vs. 5) Jesus is a living
stone because He was raised from the dead in victory, and those of us who
are saved share in that same victory with our Savior! We are built up a spiritual
house in Christ and He is our chief cornerstone - our very sure and secure
foundation, cementing all believers together by grace into the same building.
Those that trust in Him shall not be confounded... Yet in verses 7-8, we see
that the same stone that we consider precious, is a rock of offence to others....
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,
the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the
corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which
stumble at the word, being disobedient: wherefore unto also they were appointed."
The contrast pictured here is the attitude that people have toward Christ,
who is more than a little thing that makes a big difference for all of eternity!!
Though the frame of this world is falling to pieces, there are many who still
refuse to let Christ bear the weight of their sin. Believers consider this
choice Stone to be highly valuable, yet unbelievers and disobedient Christians
alike find Him a rock of offense, a big boulder in their path that they trip
and stumble over while striving to live for self. Jesus Christ is disallowed
in their lives... He is rejected, and His Word is rejected as well, causing
then their disobedience to follow and fill the cracks of their soul. Many
don't see the "sparkle" when they look at Christ that we do, for He is not
precious to them. They kick the Savior away as if He were an annoying pebble
under their foot... Perhaps you know of someone like that within your sphere
of influence, maybe even within your own home or family. When your attitudes
toward Christ are very different, what then? Verse 9 says:
"BUT ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out
of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Regardless of whether or not others attitudes toward Christ are right, we
need to focus on and remind ourselves who we are as listed in this verse above:
chosen, royal, holy, peculiar. Even in family settings, the sinful misconduct
of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the other; the servant
of God is still bound to do His duty to God, amen? We don't have to be hindered
by other people's wrong attitudes at all! Nor should our Christian behavior
change one bit, for we have a job to do - we are called to still shew forth
the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness and into His marvellous
light! That marvellous light should be what we walk in continually, amen ladies?
Don't allow yourself to be pulled into the darkness of a bad attitude... Believers
have no need to be confounded! You and I can still maintain a proper attitude
of obedience to God in spite of those who stumble over Christ and His Word.
While it may appear that the battle is outside of us, Paul tells us in verse
11-12 that the real battle lies within us and wars against our soul...
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly
lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your
good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
Did you notice this portion of scripture began by stating "dearly beloved"?
These two words present a perfect picture of our relationship with Jesus Christ,
for it is a relationship based on love, amen? We are dear to the Lord and
God's love for us should be enough motivation within us to live godly lives
not only among but before those that willfully hold onto their sin and their
wrong attitudes toward Christ and His Word. We obey not because of pride,
but because of a humble, honest attitude of devotion to the Lord. Others should
be able to observe this proper and pure attitude of devotion and be positively
affected by it, rather than you being negatively affected by their improper
attitude of dishonor toward the Lord! Perhaps you've already discovered you'll
probably be mocked for your devotion to the Lord, but do not fret or fight
back. Ladies, if we are going to be proper witnesses before those who do not
yet consider Christ precious, the Bible says we are going to have to abstain
from fleshly lusts - the desire to lash out at them perhaps! We must instead
live honorably before them, proving just how precious Christ is to you...
You are being watched - let them behold your good works that glorify God!
What a powerful impact Christians can make on the lost and disobedient when
they combine a godly life with a loving witness, amen? Remember, we are "lively
stones" now, and our lights should shine before men so that they can see clearly
their personal rejection of Christ... Even when others may make it difficult
for us, we can and must maintain the right attitude! There is no need to be
confounded when we're standing upon Christ...
Jeremiah 17:18, "Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me
be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon
them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction."
So we have seen then, that the attitude that you and I must have is an attitude
of devotion to God. We discover next that an attitude of submission should
also be evident in our lives before those who are rejecting Christ...
Verses 13-15 say, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them
that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of
them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:"
Of course, everything we do should be for the glory of the Lord. This is especially
true when it comes to our relationship to government and people in authority.
As Christian citizens, we should submit to the authorities over us realizing
that God Himself has placed them over us - "as unto them that are sent by
Him" the verse said. We can silence our critics by doing good, not by opposing
authority. And that goes for submitting to our husbands as well, ladies! They
may not have the proper attitude toward the things of the Lord at times, but
that is no excuse for us to oppose their authority over us! Nor is it a license
for us to withhold our love... It is important that we respect the "office"
that they hold in our homes, even though we cannot respect the man in office
at times. Why? For the Lord's sake first of all, and secondly so that they
can be put to silence in the many criticisms that come as they stumble over
Christ and His Word. By God's grace we are still to show respect to our leaders
even though they may be opposed to the gospel!
I like what verse 16 has to say: "As free, and not using your liberty as a
cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of Christ."
Some may say, "But as Christians, aren't we free?" While it is true, we are
free in Christ, we must never use our freedom for ourselves. We must always
use it for others - "as the servants of Christ." A true Christian submits
himself to authority because he is first of all submitted to Christ! This
makes our freedom a reality! We then can use our freedom as a tool set apart
for God's purposes and not a weapon to fight with, amen? We may at times find
ourselves in oppressive situations simply because Christ is precious to us
and might not be to those that are over us in authority. Yet we can still
sing a song of victory because we are build upon the solid, protective foundation
of Christ, the Chief Cornerstone of our lives who holds us together in times
of turmoil!
Psalm 22:5, "They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee,
and were not confounded."
Those who are rejecting and stumbling over Christ and finding Him to be a
rock of offence are watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is also watching
over His collection of "lively stones" - therefore we have nothing to fear!
We can submit to God and know that He will work everything together for our
good and His glory! If your security is based on something that can be taken
away from you, you are not resting upon a sure foundation... Our confidence
in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but, on the contrary,
it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives
and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this! In Him,
we are free to sparkle with the right attitude - that little thing that makes
a BIG difference in our Christian testimony.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
