Ni90: 1 Peter 4-5, Proverbs 19

A little late posting today. (Thank you Mr. Migraine overnight…but you cannot stop me indefinitely!)

As we wrap up this Book of 1 Peter, remember that the goal/purpose is encouragement and strength for those suffering for the gospel. In it, we also find some instruction that is applicable to us as well.

My thoughts for today:

• 4:1-2. The suffering of Christ on our behalf beckons to us to live every moment, every day, for the will of God! We do not serve Christ to gain His favor, but we serve Him because He favored us! Furthermore, if we are living to please Him, then there is no tolerance or allowance for sin in our own lives. We ABHOR sin because we have come to see it and understand it as Christ sees sin and understands sin. Our pleasure and passionate pursuit in life is the same as Christ’s.
• 4:8. Keeping “fervent” in love implies an ACTIVE embrace of love…not an emotional response or a feeling that is fickle or circumstantial. IOW: We CHOOSE to love because christ loved and loves us…so we cultivate love for others in our hearts…both for the brethren and for those who Christ loves but have not yet come to yield to Him as Lord. (See Rom 5:8).
• 4:13. Rejoice in our sufferings for the cause of Christ. This is different from suffering for our own foolishness. It is the suffering that comes with being bold, loving, and actively pursuing the will of God!
• 5:1-3. To pastors. The flock/people we oversee belong to God and we are charged by Him to shepherd them skillfully, patiently, and with proper motives…serving as an example to the people. Our reward is evident at the appear of Christ. (This doesn’t mean that we live without reward in this life (Hebrews 13:17, et. al); rather, it means that our ultimate reward comes when Christ appears. What does that look like? I imagine in my mind that it has something to do with seeing multitudes of those whom we have led and cared for receive their rewards and being accepted into the presence of God. As a parent rejoices in the accomplishment of a child, we pastors rejoice when those we have cared for move forward in their faith and become fully devoted followers of Christ. In that moment, the affirmation of the King that we faithfully served well is an unfading crown of victory!
• 5:8-9. Be sober and alert…watching out for the devil who seeks to destroy. Resist him by being firm in our faith and in resolute knowledge that all of our brethren throughout the world suffer in like manner.

Ni90: 1 Peter 1-3, Proverbs 18

In this letter, Peter is writing to Jews who were severely persecuted…driven from their homes and forced to wander as “non-citizens” in different lands. He is writing to encourage them…because they were rejected by Jews (for their conversion to Christ) and were enduring suffering by the Gentiles. Everything that could go wrong for them as believers in Christ…was going wrong. KEEP that in mind as we look at the instructions of Peter here.

My observations today:

• 1:14-15. The life of a believer is a set-apart life of holiness. To claim to be a believer and not live in a set-apart manner, is to be gravely inconsistent. Belief in Christ and holiness always go hand-in-hand. Always. This is not easy…but is possible due tot he grace of God in our lives and our diligent pursuit of holiness as the people of God (1:13).
• 2:1-3. One of the best antidotes to ungodly living is the desire for God’s Word and presence. You can’t want God and enjoy sin at the same time. This is why Peter says to put away… and long for God’s revealed presence in our lives.
• 2:13-15. Remember that these people were being persecuted by the government…or the government was permitting their persecution…either way this verse leaps off of the page: “Submit to every institution, both kings and governors for the Lord’s sake…because this is the will of God.” It is pretty hard for someone to argue against the clarity of this text…but we do. We think that we should be obedient to worthy leaders; whereas the Scripture instructs us to be obedient to all leaders because God has place every leader, even BAD ones, in their place for a specific purpose.
• 3:8-12. Catch the words usage here…”when you are treated harshly, bless in return…do not return evil for evil.” Wow…that is strong. It wars against our flesh. It seems unjust to us. Yet, the eyes of the Lord are toward us when we act righteously in this way.

Proverbs 18:13 is the takeaway today. “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”

Take Two: 1 Peter 5, Proverbs 7

CH 5 is one I have spent a great deal of time with in the past; however, I saw something today that is a different twist on the text. As always, we see textual evidence for the fact that Peter did not see himself as the “Bishop of Rome,” but as a fellow elder with all of the other elders (pastors)…called by the grace of God (v.1). He instructed them to shepherd the flock, overseeing it voluntarily according to the will of God (v.2).

This type of thing raises a question…especially in the “free church” or low church traditions like the one I grew up in as a Baptist. “Who oversees or ‘runs’ the church?” If one took a purely biblical view (our ultimate authority)…the answer must be the appointing authority (that is Christ…not the congregation, for they AFFIRM the will of God…not decide it). Christ then oversees or administers the church according to His will and He has entrusted that to men like Peter…elders, overseers, pastors (three words representing the same office).

There is no example of a healthy church in the Bible that was ever administered differently than this. None. Why is that? Why isn’t there a democratic republic administration…or a papal administration? Why isn’t there a deacon led church or a Board of directors model listed? Why isn’t there a people led church without any distinguishable leadership structure?

Simply stated…I believe…it is because the structure of the church models the administration of things in the Kingdom…from a macro-perspective. It would be crazy to think that Lydia would set up a church in her house, establish doctrine and practices, and then interview Paul to see if he met the standard as she discerned it. (He would though if they were using the same standard…the Word of God).

One of the more interesting things is that you don’t see a lot of battling for position in the early church. Certainly there were incidents of factionalism (Corinth) and over-zealous leaders who made themselves bosses in the fellowship- Diotrephes in 3 John). These examples were negative examples…not positive ones. They are never held up as the “right” model of leadership for the church; rather, they are rebuked.

When subjection to godly/lawful authority takes place and love reigns in the fellowship… there is no struggle like those that plague modern churches. Why? Because everyone from the pastor to the newest member are pursuing their greatest love…Jesus. They set as the course of their lives…His will and purpose.

That’s a key element: Peter instructs the pastor to lead humbly according to his calling (the will of God) and the people to follow according to their calling, in humility before God (vv.5-6).

To do otherwise is to walk foolishly…inviting the roaring lion (v.8) to devour. Instead, we are exhorted to live wisely and humbly, always on the alert, and to endure the persecution that goes with it…knowing that our redemption draws near (vv.8-11).

I wonder how many victories the enemy has achieved and how many outsiders or new believers have been hurt/lost/damaged because fleshly desires for control have created toxic discipleship environments? If truth be told…far more than we know.

Proverbs 7:2 is the takeaway today. “Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.”

Tomorrow, let’s head back to the OT and explore the Book of First Chronicles together. See you there!

Take Two: 1 Peter 4, Proverbs 6

As Peter is drawing this letter to a close, he begins to give closing admonitions. These are important things for the church, those dispersed and persecuted Jews who lost everything because of their faith, to know and consider.

He begins by telling them to stay “white hot” in your passionate love for Christ (vv.1-2). IOW: Don’t turn back, don’t let up, don’t compromise. STay passionate in your pursuit of holiness and fellowship with Him. He reminds them that the days of pursuing excesses and sinful pleasures of the flesh…are long since gone for a believer. As such…look for MORE people to malign you as you refuse to participate in those things pursued by the lost (vv.3-6).

In v.7 he tells them that the Day of the Lord is imminent. (PAUSE: Many miss this truth. The early church lived daily as if Jesus may come back that day. I don’t think most in the church believe or act that way today. For most…His coming would be a surprise–not something they were looking for or anticipating. For others, it would be unwanted…or considered too early–because they had things they wanted to accomplish first.

The picture given consistently in Scripture is that of a bride waiting on her husband to return home. Jodi and I cannot stand being apart. Not even for a couple of days. I cannot imagine returning from a trip and her saying, “What a surprise. Wasn’t expecting you for some time now.” It is usually more like, “What city are you in now? When will your flight arrive? I’ll be waiting!” [QUESTION: Are you waiting on Him like that??]

v.8, be zealous/fervent in your love for one another. The idea here of being yielded and submissive to one another, forgiving one another quickly and completely. V.9, be hospitable. This is charitable.

v.10, serve one another with the gift God entrusted to you…as a faithful steward.

v.11…do all of this to the glory of God, not for personal gain. This is the “Christian life.”

vv.12-19 instruct us to look at our sufferings through the lens of Christ. We suffer for righteousness like He did. We are even told to look at our suffering as an identification point with Christ…a badge of honor (v.16). IOW: We are to rejoice in our suffering knowing that He is glorified when we suffer well.

[QUESTION: Do we spend more time and energy in our lives avoiding suffering than we do pursuing the glory of Christ?]

Proverbs 6:14 is the takeaway today. A worthless man, a wicked man is one… “Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife.”

 Stated in contemporaneous language, “A wicked man is one who, among other things, for twisted motives keeps strife active among people rather than reconciling them to one another. He has found a place of prominence and a position of gain in keeping disunity alive….and he will ultimately be broken beyond remedy.”

Take Two: 1 Peter 3, Proverbs 5

Ch. 3 opens with a call to wives to submissiveness toward their husbands…even those husbands who are unsaved, SO THAT the testimony of submissiveness might be used by God to win the husband. The section opens with “in the same way” (one word in the Greek- homoios; likewise, adverb) connects the next command “submit, be subjected to” to the previous commands- Submit to all lawful authority (2:13), servants submit to your masters (2:18), Christ is submissive to the will of the Father on behalf of the unrighteous (2:21-25).

I know this is a difficult word for some, but it points to the fact that reconciling the lost to Himself and seeing the lost saved is of PRIMARY importance to the Father. It is the thrust behind our purposeful existence.

Peter goes on to say that this submissiveness is a sign of godliness but that the wife should not be godly only on the outside…but from the heart. IOW: Do not submit to manipulate, but do so because it is recognized as God’s created order…His will (vv.3-6).

Husbands are commanded to honor their wives as a weaker (more precious/ highly valued) person. He is to protect her, guide her, love and cherish her and honor her as a fellow recipient of Christ (v.7). BTW: This is a condition of right relationship with God…and is only directed to those husbands who believe.

Further, these two commands stand alone. It is not “submit to your husband who honors you,” or “honor your wife who is submissive”…but each instruction is from God and ones response to the instruction is to God.

In summary (v.8) be kind and loving to one another. Why? Because this is expected of godly people by God Himself.

NOTE: He is the standard and He is the judge of our compliance.

Honor Christ in our hearts and always be ready, prepared, willing to give an explanation (defense) for the hope we have in Him (v.15)…which seems to cause an unwanted reaction from those separated from Christ. In our obedience though…they will be put to shame in the Day of the Lord [A key feature in Peter's mind.]

NOTE: Our lives and actions are part of a much larger narrative and purpose. God uses our witness and obedience to testify of His grace AND to build the case against the unredeemed (don’t get hung up on the terminology I am using…since I am trying to articulate a complicated doctrine in modern terms). When we are faithful to live and testify according to God’s will…then those who believe are saved…and those who reject…condemn themselves and build the case against themselves which will serve to condemn. This is not to say that they need a case built to condemn them; rather, it says that while one rebellion/sin condemns…their ongoing rejection of God serves to overwhelm them. How? Not completely sure; however, I imagine that standing before God having rejected grace once…is far different than standing before Him having rejected it 100 times.

Some may suffer for their righteousness…but this, if it is the will of God, makes them like Jesus who did this ultimately (vv.17-18).

One final feature: baptism (v.21). Baptism is a testimony/appeal to God of obedient action and identification with Christ. It is not salvific…meaning it does not, in itself, save; However, it is significant in that it is an outward statement to God of ones inward commitment.

The point being…One cannot really say that he accepts God’s will/plan/purpose for his life while at the same time refusing God’s ordained statement of identification. The two ideas are inconsistent. The latter….really identifies the truth of the former. In baptism (baptisma- the acto of baptism/ being baptized) one testifies of his hope and faith. The symbol of being baptized is established by God. He ordained the symbol, the means of the symbol, the authority of the church to perform the symbolic act, and the outcome/benefit of the symbol.

Sometimes…people will offer a personal/private interpretation of baptism and how they observe it. Truthfully though…we cannot choose to change a symbol to suit us when God has outlined otherwise. It is identification with Him that we seek, not the other way around.

He is superior…we are submissive/subordiate.

[Some would argue that other spiritual/saved people see this differently. True. The point though is...are we submissive to the traditions of man because they are more palatable or convenient...or, do we hold firmly to the Word of God? ]

Proverbs 5:8 is the takeaway today. “Keep your way far from [the adulterous woman] and do not go near the door of her house.” The defense against temptation is to avoid it. R.E. Lee once said that he avoided drinking whiskey…not because he hated it, but because he liked it too much and saw its destructive power. The same can be argued for money, women, power, control, etc….

Take Two: 1 Peter 2, Proverbs 4

In Ch.2 we find a direct admonition and challenge to the audience…all dispersed and persecuted Jews who had converted to Christianity. As a result, they lost everything.

NOTE: Imagine losing everything without cause. Your government outlaws your faith and declares everything you have as common property of the state. You are terminated from employment because you lack proper credentials and merchants in your town sell to you only reluctantly…if at all. (How’s your attitude?) This is the context of these folks. They turned to Christianity because it connected…but they were doing so looking for a better life. Instead…from their perspective…they got a “bucket full of trouble.”

Peter tells them that if they are to grow in their experiencing of “salvation” they must “put off” malice, slander,deceit, hypocrisy, and envy…while at the same time…”longing for” the will of God. (vv.1-3).

NOTE: This is key. One cannot long for the will of God without first putting off that which is opposed to the will of God. One cannot successfully put off that which is opposed to God without replacing it with a longing for the will of God. Both must occur simultaneously…or they will not succeed.

In vv.4-12 Peter reminds the people that it was by the Grace of God that they were chosen. They were not perfect…but God chose them and was perfecting them (v.5) so that they could proclaim the grace of God.

As such…they were warned against acting contrary to the nature/character of God…according to His will…even before the Gentiles…since God intended for the Gentiles to remember their good conduct in “the day of visitation” (vv.11-12).

NOTE: This scares me a bit. I know my own propensity to miss the mark (sin)…and to think that doing so could ultimately result in those separated from God missing Him altogether… well, it is scary. My life must be far above reproach…so that when Christ returns and those who have followed Him are vindicated…there is no charge to be made against me and my life.

One of the ways of doing this…is submission to lawful authority (vv.13-20). We are called to submit to authority…even when doing so is unwarranted and causes us grief and pain. We do so…because we recognize that God is the ultimate authority and we see ourselves submitting to Him first…then to His ordained authority because we first submitted to Him. To claim to be under His authority and then TO REBEL AGAINST or USURP His lawful authority…is a direct inconsistency…it is hypocrisy…it is sin…and it wars against the will of God.

Almost as if he anticipated the resistance to such an all-encompassing and difficult command…Peter reminds the hearers that this is exactly how Jesus lived and died (vv.21-25)…and as a result, all of the audience possessed a hope in the day of the Lord.

APPLIED: It is difficult to be consistent when everything is going well. It is far more difficult to obey consistently when it costs. Dr. Johnny Hunt said (I think it was him)…”If you won’t honor Christ when it doesn’t count [when it is easy], what makes you think you will honor Him when it costs.” I know folks who have cars and houses and money in the bank…and they won’t honor Him even with a tithe, much less an offering of worship. If their lives were on the line…what makes them or anyone think they will stand with Christ then.

Insuring that we “finish well” requires that we start well. We must be willing to make binding decisions on our lives today…that will inform our actions tomorrow. We must develop or submit to a Code of Conduct which informs us when it is tought to obey. Otherwise…we will most certainly miss the mark when the pressure is applied.

Proverbs 4:25 is the takeaway today. “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.”

Take Two: 1 Peter 1, Proverbs 3

As we return to this letter after nearly 2 years, I thought I would provide a LINK to when I dealt with it before.

I have always found this letter to be encouraging…and also challenging. It reminds me that I am not “in it” alone, and it also challenges the idea that “blessing and comfort” are evidence of right relationship with God. Truthfully, we have a HOPE of blessing and comfort…but in “this world” we will have troubles.

Remember that Peter writes to those who have lost their homes, been forced from their lands, and live daily looking over their own shoulders. This is the price they pay for naming the Name of Jesus (vv.1-2). He doesn’t apologize for the price they pay. That never comes into the equation. What is considered…is the outcome of their trials…the “proof” of their faith with is precious and glorifies God (v.7).

He encourages them to think correctly about their trials and the outcome of their faith (v.13). He knew what we know…that it is easy to slide into “stinkin’ thinkin’ ” and rehearse a chorus of “woe is me” rather than “How Great Thou Art.”

In addition to a right view of suffering and glory, he tells them to love one another (v.22). There is a real value in the midst of suffering…in having relationships with those we share our “hope” with. In fact, to state it more pointedly…you cannot make it during the trials without someone to share with. You will die…or worse…dishonor God.

Everything around us fades and is destroyed (vv.24-25). Everything except the Word of God through which we found our hope. It endures forever.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is the takeaway today. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Take Two: 1 Peter 5, Proverbs 14

Chapter 5 begins with an exhortation to pastors (elders) to carry out their duties willingly, voluntarily, according to God’s will, not out of self-interest, nor as a taskmaster…but as an example to the people (vv.1-3). The pastor’s reward….God’s approval when Christ appears. I wonder if, along the way, I have displayed the tenacity that is implied here? Many guys state that they don’t like conflict. They don’t want controversy. They want to be appreciated. While all of that is true…it speaks more to a “NEED” for people approval than to a desire for acceptability to and approval of God. Perhaps…if we (as pastors) are to speak of “standing firm” under persecution..we must demonstrate, as examples (v.3) what it is to be tenacious during difficult times.

Exercise humility before God and cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for us (vv.6-7). This speaks to two elements of our faith. A desire to know and do the will of God; and, an absolute dependence on God to accomplish it.

V.8 reminds us to think correctly about our circumstances. The enemy is constantly seeking opportunity to take us down, so we must be vigilant to resist him, firm in our faith (v.9) and remembering/drawing comfort from the fact that we are all in this together.

v.10 encourages us to remember that this present world and our circumstance is not the end. We are in process. A day is coming when Christ will make everything right, rescue His people from the difficulties of this world and deliver us from all that opposes God. No wonder the section ends in praising God (v.11).

Proverbs 14:15 is the takeaway today. “The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” Some believe that God has called us to display an “unqualified” trust of all people and all things. This is not true. We have been called to be a discerning people. Doing so…means we need to probe further than the surface in most things in life. Anything else…is naive. We need to consider and counsel with others on significant decisions…rather than acting on impulse. Anything else…is naive. Be wise….

See you in 2 Peter tomorrow….

Take Two: 1 Peter 4, Proverbs 13

Chapter 4 begins with “therefore”…so we ask, “what’s it there for? It connects the idea previously considered with the proposition to follow. So…since Christ suffered blamelessly in submission to the will of the Father, and was resurrected and exalted afterwords, so- THEREFORE we should live with the same purpose (to honor God in suffering…knowing that our hope transcends the circumstances of this world) (v.1). The exhortation here is to those who were enduring hardship because of their confession of Jesus as Lord. He exhorts them to stand firm, never turn back, looking to Christ as their example.

In the midst of “suffering,” it is easy to come to believe that only the righteous suffer. We can come to believe that unrighteousness yields a life of ease and luxury. The Bible teaches us that there are those who pursue this course…but that the great Judge (God) will hold everyone accountable. Those who suffer here, rejoice eternally. Those who live at ease here (by embracing the world….and thus being an enemy of God) will suffer judgment eternally (vv.2-6).

In light of this mindset, we are to be discerning and prayerful (v.7), love one another fervently (v.8), be hospitable toward one another joyfully (v.9), serve one another with the gifts given us by God (v.10), and live as Christ’s ambassadors in everything (v.11), SO THAT God may be glorified in Christ in all things (v.12).

When we are reviled for our faith, we should rejoice (v.14). This is a mindset/attitude/approach which is strange for most people I know. The only way once can do this, is to fully embrace God as Sovereign, and our lives as purposeful to His intended result, with faith in God…fully trusting God and doing what is right (v.19).

Since Peter used the imagery of a soldier (arm yourself with this same purpose- v.1), I will borrow the analogy for application. Foot soldiers ever go into the war room. They sit in tents and clean weapons, prepare their minds and bodies for battle, and await orders. Generals and Colonels sit in war rooms. They look at the war from a MACRO level. They look at the many battles going on and decide the best strategy to prosecute every engagement. They intentionally do not engage in the minutia of daily foot soldier life. Foot soldiers have one purpose…execute the orders received without compromise. Soldiers don’t get to question orders from the general. Soldiers know that the general is more concerned with the war than the battle. Soldiers trust the general is doing what is right. Soldiers consider it an honor to carry out their assignments and trust that their sacrifice is a contribution to the overall war. THIS is the image presented in the exhortation to embrace suffering here in Peter’s letter. Yes…we could be concerned with the comfort in our own “foxholes,” but the fact is…if every soldier did that, we would never win a war.

Do you (and I) spend more time considering the war…or our own battle? If our own battle…are we willing to change…renew our allegiance to the “General” and embrace the “war” regardless of the cost to us personally?

Proverbs 13:14 is the takeaway. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death.” If we truly believe that God’s word is a guard which protects us from being tripped up or trapped by sin…and that we cannot avoid being tripped up or trapped by sin without it, then we are foolish not to seek to know intimately the wisdom of God’s Word.

Take Two: 1 Peter 3, Proverbs 12

Chapter 3 is one of the more intriguing (and challenging) chapters of this letter. There are a number of “difficult” verses…that any serious student of Scripture must wrestle with.

Vv.1-6 speak to wives and instruct them to live in submission to their husband’s leadership. This instruction is not limited to being submissive to the “saved” husband…but to their husband regardless of his relationship with God. Notice the connection in v.1: “In the same way.” The standard and model for the submission of the wife is the same as that displayed by Christ before God the Father, who gave His life…even though He did not deserve the suffering for sin that He received. The instruction is unqualified. It does not teach one to submit if the husband is a nice guy or if you live in an Eastern culture in the first century. The context of the verse actually points to the purpose of the submission…that God would be honored and that God might use the “chaste and respectful behavior” as an instrument of redemption…drawing the lost husband to Himself. Some might argue that this would not apply if both spouses were “saved.” I disagree. Our commitment and submission is magnified all-the-more in the case of a family that is saved.

Peter seems to indicate that this kind of submission would serve as a point of “pride” (in a good way) for the women since they would be following in the example of Sarah. Does the wife do this because her husband is worthy? ABSOLUTELY not. No one is worthy of this…except Jesus who is the example.

v.7, tells the husband to dwell with the wife in an understanding way. The implication is that there are times when a wife might not act as she ought and is commanded by God. In these cases, the husband is to act like Christ and live with her recognizing that he is to be the bigger man. He is not to discipline her (that is God’s role), but to love her and minister to her, and honor her as a precious gift of God. To not do so…NEGATIVELY affects the man’s relationship with God…his prayers are hindered. Why? Because God has instructed him to live in this manner and to not do so is sin. Sin always impedes our relationship with God.

BY the way, this is why we are instructed to not become “unequally yoked”…in other words, to marry an unbeliever if we are a believer. This relationship only makes sense…if both husband and wife are committed to Christ. However, Paul teaches us that if two unbelievers are married and one becomes a believer, they are to remain married as long as the spouse will have them…since they become an instrument of redemption in the spouse’s life. (cf. 1 Cor 7:10-16). In God’s economy…agenda ONE is reconciliation…and this might mean that His people endure difficulties as His instruments of redemption from time to time…but the payoff (reconciliation of the lost) is worth it (see also v.17)!

We are called to be knowledgeable of the Word of God and the principles of our faith…so that we can give a “defense” (explanation) of what and why we believe (v.15).

Suffering MAY VERY WELL BE the will of God for your life. He may WILL that you suffer for doing right (v.17). In our “sense of justice” we think this cannot be…but God’s Word is authoritative, while our “sense” of anything is flawed by our own sin nature.

V.21 has been variously misinterpreted along the way. Some say that our baptism saves us…and point to this verse. To clarify…our baptism, as an act of faith in God is evidence of our Salvation. Someone who says they have faith but does not act on that faith…is self-deceived. Baptism is the natural outworking of identifying with Christ. When we name “Jesus as Lord” of our lives (the confession of every true believer), our next step is to identify with Him through baptism. In this way, our baptism is the gate/standard we go through to determine if ones faith is genuine. One caveat and I will move on: Every believer (who is not physically prevented from doing so) is baptized as a believer…but not every baptized person is a believer. We don’t know what is in a heart…but we know that some people with wrong motives may seek to be baptized (See John the Baptist’s response to the religious Jews (Luke 3:7-9). The true evidence is bearing fruit..consistent with the confession that Jesus is Lord. The first FRUIT of that is baptism, but it is never the last.

Proverbs 12:4 is the takeaway today. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.” Amazing isn’t it…that the most prominent feature of a man would be his wife. If she is excellent, he is admired…if she shames him, her testimony is a “rottenness” to his very core.

Grace,