Beyond The Four Spiritual Laws

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448) Jas 5:16 . . Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one
another, so that you may be healed.

The word "sins" is an arbitrary editorial insertion rather than a translation;
viz: it isn't in the Greek manuscripts so somebody penciled it in. So we could
safely re-translate that verse to read "Confess to one another".

There's quite a number of key words in the Bible that sometimes trigger a
knee-jerk-reflex in people's minds and "confess" is one of them. It would
seem to me that James isn't commanding Christians to confess their sins to
one another as Father Confessors for the purpose of absolution; but rather:
to simply man-up and admit when they're wrong; and to do so without
recriminations, without rejoinders, and without feigned indignity. (cf. Matt
18:15-17)

I think testimonies would fall in this category too. In other words: own that
some of the faults we find in others are ours too. (Rom 2:1)

449) Jas 5:19-20 . . My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth,
and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the
error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of
sins.

Not all sins are worthy of death (1John 5:16-17). And a sin that's fatal for
one believer may not be lethal for another. I mean, look at David; he
committed the awful sins of premeditated murder and adultery, yet God
allowed him to live (2Sam 11:1-2Sam 12:14). But when Ananias and his
wife Sapphira lied about the proceeds from the sale of their property, they
were summarily executed. (Acts 5:1-10). And in Corinth, the health of only
some was struck after desecrating The Lord's supper; while others were
executed for the same reason (1Cor 11:17-30).

Some kids are easily corrected simply by a cross glare and a stern scolding;
while other kids require a stronger hand.

I once heard a cute story of a man who would whack his mule upside the
head with a wooden stake prior to getting up on the seat of his buckboard.
omeone asked him why he hit the animal. The man replied: That was to get
his attention, otherwise he won't budge when I snap the reins and yell
giddy-up.

● Ps 32:8-9 . . I wish to instruct you, and teach you in the way you should
go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Don't be like the horse or the
mule, which have no discernment, but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not obey you.

For some believers, a whack up alongside the head is all it takes to motivate
them to straighten up and fly right. Others are so incorrigible that only a
brush with death finally convinces them that God is serious.

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450) 1Pet 1:13 . . Gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit,
fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ.

The koiné Greek word for "gird up" is anazonnumi (an-ad-zone'-noo-mee)
which means: to gird afresh; viz: re-gird. Webster's defines gird as: to
encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt).

The re-girding Peter is talking about is sort of like a man putting his pants on
in the morning and tightening his belt to hold them up. He does that every
day before he goes out the door for the day. But here we're putting on pants
in one's mind; viz: it's a daily attitude adjustment.

A purposeful life is a life with an objective; and the one objective that every
believer should keep in their mind's sights is that this life is only a stop-over.
Their permanent destination is yet to come (cf. Heb 11:8-16). So they
shouldn't get too attached to this life; rather, get themselves attached to the
next; and the next is a world ruled by a monarch who has very different
ideas than the world's in regards to good citizenship.

There used to be a popular term going around in Christian circles regarding
the "purposeful life". It's a good term, and quite the opposite of a drifter's
life; which is a life that has no purpose. Webster's defines a drifter as one
that travels and/or moves about aimlessly. In other words, a drifter is a
vagabond, which Webster's defines as somebody who leads an unsettled,
irresponsible, or disreputable life. Though believers inhabit the current earth
as pilgrims (1Pet 2:11) they're not to do so as vagabonds and/or drifters.

I have, on occasion in the past, recommended that unbelievers take a time
out to consider the possibility of their going to hell, and begin using what
time they have remaining to prepare themselves for the worst when they
pass on. Well; believers would be wise to take a time-out to consider just
the opposite; viz: their going to heaven, and begin using what time they
have remaining to prepare themselves for it when they pass on.

451) 1Pet 1:14-16 . . As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who
called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is
written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.

"conformed" is speaking of habits. Take for example alcoholism. The popular
diagnosis these days is that it's a disease. Well; it if is, then it's the only
disease I know of practiced by fools.

● Prov 20:1 . . Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.

Alcoholism isn't a disease; it's a habit, and one of the habits that Christ's
believing followers are commanded to make a habit of avoiding. (Eph 5:18)

"You shall be holy, for I am holy" speaks of the old proverb: Birds of a
feather, flock together. So if people wish to cultivate a rapport with God;
they have to work on becoming heavenly rather than earthly because He
tends to avoid mingling with invasive species; so to speak.

452) 1Pet 1:17-18 . . And if you address as "Father" the one who
impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in
reverential fear during the time of your stay upon earth

I once heard of a preacher complain that he wished his congregation were as
afraid of the Devil as they are of holiness. (chuckle). Well, obviously his
congregation lacked purpose; their attitude was that of drifters and
vagabonds. They were all believers; they had that much going for them.
They just needed somebody to throw cold water in their faces and wake
them up to getting their eyes off the ground and getting their eyes up on the
brass ring.

● Col 3:1-4 . . So then, since you have been resurrected with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life,
appears, then will you also appear with him in glory.

People in heaven no doubt make a habit of treating God with reverential
fear; that is: they respect both Him and His wishes. Down here, people
make a habit of insolence and rebellion; even some of the people wearing a
Christian ID tag.

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453a) 1Pet 1:22a . . Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the
truth through the Spirit

The grammatical tense of the words "have purified" is past rather than
future. In other words, the souls of the Christians to whom Peter penned his
epistle were already purified before it arrived.

The Greek word for "purify" generally refers to making something clean
and/or sanitized; usually by washing. It doesn't refer to sinless perfection;
for example your pots and pans and dishes may be dented, scratched, and
chipped, but they're still suitable for their intended purpose just so long as
they're clean.

Jesus once told his men "Now you are clean through the word which I have
spoken unto you" (John 15:3). His word didn't make them sinless. In other
words: they retained their various dents, scratches, and chips, so to speak;
in point of fact, Peter went on from there to deny even knowing Jesus.

A number of the Old Testament's rituals served to cleanse the people of
contamination brought on them by their sins, but did nothing to make the
people sinless; not even the great day of atonement Yom Kippur. The people
went right on sinning as before just as soon as the ritual was over. So
purification and sinless perfection are two very different spiritual conditions.

This was addressed in a bit more detail back in post No.151. It's a very
important element of Christianity so it's worth taking the time to
understand.

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453b) 1Pet 1:22b . . See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

The Greek word translated "love" in that passage is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o)
which is actually a very easy love to practice because it doesn't consist of
things like affection and/or sentiment; which are components of the other
love in the New Testament translated from the Greek word phileo (fil-eh'-o).

Agapao is impersonal; commonly expressed in things like charity, kindness,
sympathy, lenience, and tolerance; viz: agapao isn't expressed by liking
people; rather, it's expressed by being nice to people, i.e. civil; defined by
Webster's as adequate in courtesy and politeness: mannerly.

Phileo, on the other hand, is personal and not as common as agapao
because phileo is felt rather than expressed; viz: phileo refers to emotional
attachments.

An excellent contrast between the two loves is seen by comparing John 3:16
and John 16:27.

In the first; God is shown sympathetic.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In the latter, God is shown affectionate.

"The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed
that I came from God."

Obtaining God's sympathy is very easy because that's on Him; whereas
winning His affections is not so easy because that's on us.

"If you obey my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have obeyed
my Father's commands and abide in His love." (John 15:10)

Anyway; 1Pet 1:22b only requires Christians to be civil, which I'm convinced
is within every Christian's capabilities; even for Christians whose sensitivities
are those of a catcher's mitt or a wooden nickel.

A pure fervent heart refers to taking Peter's requirement seriously enough to
make a conscientious effort to comply with it; viz: every Christian, even the
bi-polar ones, really ought to be doing their level best to be good people not
just some of the time, nor even most of the time; but all the time— at the
very least among themselves and with each other.

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454) 1Pet 2:1-3 . .Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy,
envy, and all evil speaking; as newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the
word, that you may grow thereby.

Oftentimes it's a good idea to read the Bible with a dictionary at hand
because words like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy tend to fly right past
our eyes without giving them much thought.

Here in 1Pet 2:1-3 certain toxic behaviors are categorized as junk food, which
is not the kind of nourishment one should be feeding a growing child; as if
they could even digest it. So then, believers who neglect to study the Bible
-and learn what is and what is not appropriate behavior for a believer --are
certain to end up stunting the spiritual growth of the new self they obtained
via their second birth as per Jesus' testimony at John 3:3-8.

An especially ugly behavior Peter listed is envy; which Webster's defines as:
painful, or resentful, awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another,
coupled with a desire to possess the same advantage. In other words, envy
is the root of rivalry which is one of the most destructive human passions
there is. Cain killed his brother Abel out of a spirit of rivalry.

● 1John 3:12 . . Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And
wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's
righteous.

It was a spirit of rivalry that led to The Lord's crucifixion.

● Matt 27:16-18 . . And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called
Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them:
Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
Christ? For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

Webster's defines "rivalry" as: 1) to be in competition with and, 2) to strive
to equal or excel.

Envy not only breeds rivalry, but other toxins too like spite; which Webster's
defines as: petty ill will, malice, or hatred coupled with the disposition to
irritate, annoy, or thwart; which is defined as: to defeat the hopes and
aspirations of another. In other words, thwart's intent is to discourage
someone, to break their spirit and make them lose heat and/t lose respect
for themselves. Needless to say, a spiteful person is a person so bitter that
they're unable to feel pity, compassion, or sympathy; which is a bad thing
because pity, compassion, and sympathy are highly blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

People prone to envy share a very common denominator: they simply must
be either equal to, or better than, others. It's that simple. And if they cannot
be equal to, or better than others, then nothing would make them happier
than to see those others failed, maimed, silenced, disfigured, dishonored,
disgraced, humiliated, handicapped for life and/or deceased.

Yes, envy is a very, very ugly beast: there's no love in envy, only hatred
mingled with malicious feelings and imaginations. Where's the Good
Samaritan in that? A cute fable. Where's turning the other cheek? Out of
vogue. Where's the golden rule? A cliché.

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455) 1Pet 2:11 . . Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain
from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

The words "fleshly lusts" are derived from 1) sarkikos (sar-kee-kos') which
pertains to the base nature, and, 2) from epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah)
which means: a longing.

What Peter is talking about there is giving in to whatever comes natural: viz:
doing what's instinctive and reactive as opposed to one's better judgment.

Webster's defines instinct as: 1) a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or
capacity, 2) a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to
make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without
involving reason, and 3) behavior that is mediated by reactions below the
conscious level.

Fleshly lusts are not what you might call "reasonable behavior" because they
are basically gut passions and impulses that require no thinking. When
people fly off the handle, sleep with somebody on the first date, utter an
epithet, make a smart-aleck remark, and/or act on impulse and such; they
are only doing what comes natural to the beast residing within themselves.
People are, in the final analysis, little more than human wildlife; just naked
apes ruled by the nature of an ape.

456) 1Pet 2:12 . . Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so
that in the thing in which they slander you as malefactors, they may on
account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of
visitation.

The Greek word for "malefactors" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to a
criminal or to someone regarded as an all-around bad person or bad
influence; viz: toxic i.e. harmful: a threat.

Curiously, some of the principles and core values held dear by Christians are
sometimes regarded by non Christians as detrimental to the so-called
greater good; especially in communistic societies.

The koiné Greek word for "visitation" is: episkope (ep-is-kop-ay') which is
an ambiguous word that means, among other things, inspection and/or
evaluation.

Webster’s defines "inspection" as a checking or testing of an individual
against established standards; for example: the avoirdupois ounce is a
standard, the meter is a standard, and the inch is a standard.

In the old days, merchants used a balance to count out monies like gold and
silver. They would put a "standard" weight in one of the balance's pans and
then begin placing gold and/or silver in the other pan until the pans
balanced; viz: until the pans were at the same elevation on either side of the
scales' fulcrum point. Justice is often depicted as a blindfolded woman
holding a balance in one hand, and a sword in the other. The law is in one
pan, and the defendant's conduct is in the other; for example:

● Dan 5:27 . .You have been weighed on the balances; and came up short.

If it turns out that the criticism that the lost hurled at believers was
unjustified, then they will have to pay. In so doing, how will they glorify
God? Well, the slanderers themselves may not pay their respects to God, but
their retribution will certainly honor His standards, viz: glorify them.

457) 1Pet 2:13-15 . . 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.

Every ordinance of man pertains to all manner of citizenship, including civil
disobedience; which is defined as the active, professed refusal to obey
certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying
international power, e.g. protests, tax revolts, draft card burning, anti-war
movements, occupancy, demonstrations, blockades, etc. Civil disobedience
typically has to do with rebellion against State, Local, and Federal policies.

Every ordinance of man of course includes traffic laws like J-walking, unsafe
lane changes, drifting through stop signs, tailgating, road rage, exceeding
speed limits, feeding parking meters, crossing streets against the light,
blocking driveways, failure to yield the right of way, illegal U-turns; etc.

People who disregard the ordinances of man are described by the apostle
Peter as ignorant and foolish. God forbid that Christ's followers fall into that
category!

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458) 1Pet 2:16a . . Live as free men

Some of Christ's believing followers in the Roman empire were slaves; so it
was legally impossible for them to live as free men without risking severe
consequences. I think what we're looking at here is that Peter is encouraging
the Christians to whom he wrote to voluntarily accept their status as slaves
instead of resenting it. In other words: free men have choices; and even
though some of the Christians were slaves against their will, they were free
to choose to make the best of it or let it get to them.

A pretty cool platitude that I once heard goes like this: "Bloom where you're
planted". So; if you should find yourself planted in adverse circumstances;
make up your mind to make the best of it. This is something wherein you
have a choice; even though you have no choice about being stuck. It's really
all about attitude adjustment.

459) 1Pet 2:16b . . Do not use your freedom as a cloak for evil; live as
servants of God.

That passage is likely a reiteration of the one below:

● Gal 5:13 . .You were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your
freedom into an opportunity for the flesh

No sin that a believer commits will ever again put them in danger of the
wrath of God.

● John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in
God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their
sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

However, believers should never regard John 5:24 as a license to steal, so to
speak. It's freedom to steal, but certainly not license because theft is just as
wrong for God's servants as it is for His opponents (Rom 6:1-15). Just
because believers won't suffer the sum of all fears for theft is not an eo ipso
exemption for them to have a go at it.

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460) 1Pet 2:17a . . Honor all men.

The Greek word translated "honor" is timao (tim-ah'-o) which basically
means to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon and/or to revere

The first place that timao shows up in the New Testament is Matt 15:4 which
reads:

"God said: Honor your father and mother."

Right after the Flood, God outlawed murder; and the reason given for the
ban was not because murder is necessarily wrong, but because people are
made in the likeness of God. (Gen 9:5-6)

James criticizes the use of language that expresses a wish that someone be
sent to hell. The reason given is not because that sort of language is
necessarily wrong, but because people were made in the likeness of God.
(Jas 3:8-9)

In other words; murder and cursing dishonors the likeness of God, and by
extension dishonors God too.

From that I gather that failure to treat everyone with dignity-- regardless of
age, race, or gender --not only dishonors men but by extension also
dishonors God in whose likeness everyone was made.

FAQ: Does that mean even serial killers, mass murderers, and monsters like
Osama Bin Laden, Robert Mugabe, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Saddam
Hussein, and crooks like Al Capone and Bernie Madoff have to be treated
humanely and with dignity the same as everyone else?

A: Yes, absolutely because the honor that Peter is talking about doesn't have
to be earned, merited or otherwise deserved.

Take for example Lev 19:32 which reads like this:

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere
your God. I am The Lord"

The honor required for senior citizens doesn't have to be earned, merited or
otherwise deserved. The only requirement is age; and failure to dignify
senior citizens is all the same as failure to dignify God.

NOTE: You can tell a lot about people by the way they treat senior citizens.
Now that I myself am old and gray-haired, I'm sensitive to things like that.

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461) 1Pet 2:17b . . love the brotherhood

The Greek word translated "brotherhood" is adelphotes (ad-el-fot'-ace)
which appears in only two places in the entire New Testament; both are in
the apostle Peter's epistles: one here and the other in 1Pet 5:9.

It's a curious word because it essentially refers to a fraternity; defined by
Webster's as a group of people associated or formally organized for a
common purpose, interest, or pleasure; i.e. persons of the same class,
profession, character, or tastes: for example leagues, guilds, societies, and
trade unions.

"We're all in this together" pretty much sums up adelphotes; for example
1Pet 5:8-9 which reads:

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the
faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

But now; exactly who is in this frat about which Peter speaks? Well, the
apostle identifies them by his greeting in 1Pet 1:1-2 which reads:

"To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood"

Just to be on the safe side, assume that Peter's greeting applies to anyone
and everyone calling themselves a Christian regardless of their
denominational affiliation. This can be done very easily just by following his
instructions to honor all men. (see post No. 188)

One thing to our advantage is that the Greek word for "love" in 1Pet 2:17 is
impersonal, viz: it doesn't require affection, it only requires that we be
humane, e.g. civil, courteous, friendly, peaceable, hospitable, sympathetic,
tolerant, lenient, forgiving, charitable, and generous. In other words; we
don't actually have to like our fellow Christians, we only have to allow them
the dignity that the image and likeness of God deserves.

462) 1Pet 2:17c . . fear God, honor the king.

Webster's defines kings as 1) monarchs, 2) paramount chiefs and/or 3)
one that holds a preeminent position; e.g. monarchs, sovereigns, presidents,
prime ministers, czars, chairmen, etc.

There is currently throughout America a wave of hate, hysteria, and
disrespect for the U.S. President the intensity of which is unlike anything I've
ever seen in my 75 years on this planet. I should hope that none of Christ's
followers get caught up in it.

Christians don't have to particularly like Mr. Trump as a person, but we do
have to render him the dignity and the respect that a president's position
has been given by God. Failure to do so not only fails to comply with the
apostle Peter's instructions, but also fails to fear God.

● Prov 24:21 . . My son, fear The Lord and the king; have nothing to do with
those who hate them.

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463) 1Pet 2:18-19 . . Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all
respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those
who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the grief of
unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

The koiné Greek word for "servants" in that verse is oiketes (oy-ket'-ace)
which means: a fellow resident, viz: a menial domestic.

Menial domestics are in the same category as the household staff in the
Hollywood movie Remains Of The Day; in which a master butler supervises
everyone in service, including the under-butlers, and all the women. The
home owner typically communicates with his staff by means of the master
butler rather than doing so personally. So the “masters” of 1Pet 2:18
probably correspond to the master butler; viz: a supervisor.

Master butlers are like a ship's first officer, who, as far as the crew is
concerned, is God to them when all hands are on board and the vessel under
way. First officers can't be expected to be sweet little diplomats all the time
in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. It has to be expected
that they are going to become curt, cross, imperious, and demanding on
occasion. And then again, some supervisors are just naturally rude. They're
that way with everybody. Though they might be very competent in the
performance of their duties and responsibilities, some are imbalanced; viz:
they're somewhat lacking in social skills. In other words; it could be said of
some: The man is a pig.

Some employees chafe under the supervision of abusive supervisors; and
there are certain labor laws on the books that permit employees to pursue
grievances. However that may be, it is far better for a Christian to take
advantage of a disagreeable situation to prove himself because Peter says it
is “commendable” to bear up under unjust suffering.

The koiné Greek word for "commendable" is surprising. It’s charis (khar'
ece) which is commonly translated "grace". In other words, bearing up
under abuse-- while in the performance of one's duty as a service person
(employee) --is the conduct of a gracious Christian as opposed to one that's
ill-bred; viz: the belly-achers and the thin skinned cry-babies have some
growing up to do.

● Heb 12:28 . .Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be
shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear.

The gracious Christians are the ones serving God acceptably. The rest, no
matter how lofty their goals, and no matter what they attempt to do for God,
are just spinning their wheels because they are "ungracious" which
Webster’s defines as: disagreeable; viz: lacking propriety.

For Christians who're compliant by nature, 1Pet 2:18-19 is very easy to
obey. But for those who are proud, arrogant, conceited, overly indignant
and/or easily insulted; I can only say you have my sympathy because this is
something you're going to have to work at. Why? Because this is not
optional; no, it's a "calling"

● 1 Pet 2:21-24 . . For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps . . who, when
He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

The koiné Greek word for "reviled" is loidoreo (loy-dor-eh'-o) which means:
to reproach; viz: vilify.

Webster’s defines vilify as: 1) to lower in estimation or importance; viz:
demean, and 2) to utter slanderous and abusive statements against; viz:
defame; denigrate.

"Reviling in return" (e.g. retorts, rejoinders, and recriminations) is a
common knee-jerk reflex; a natural reaction of the base nature (the flesh)
and contrary to one of The Lord's fundamental teachings in the Sermon On
The Mount.

● Luke 6:29 . . And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also
the other.

In this day and age of assertiveness, Luke 6:29 is very unpopular with some
Christians. Oh, they'll vote for turning the other cheek alright and agree it's
good Christian character. But you know, good Christian character is sort of
like the Classics: everybody says we ought to have the Classics in our
libraries, but who really reads them? I have to chuckle sometimes at
Christians when one says: The Sermon On The Mount is all the religion I
need. Okay, fine; so when did you plan on beginning to exemplify its
principles?

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464) 1Pet 3:1-2 . . In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your
own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they
may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe
your chaste and respectful behavior.

Peter began his instructions with the words “in the same way” which refer
back to 1Pet 2:18-25 wherein he taught Christ's followers the Christian way
to cope with abusive management practices.

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465) 1Pet 3:3-5 . . And let not your adornment be merely external--
braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses --but let it
be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle
and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

Some of the more ascetic Christians have attempted to use that passage to
insist it's wrong for women to wear cosmetics. An interpretation of that
nature would mean putting on dresses is wrong too and thereby Christian
women would be in danger of being arrested for indecent exposure
whenever they went out. No, he's only reflecting an old Portuguese proverb
that goes something like this: A beleza não ajusta a tabela. (Beauty doesn't
set the table) which simply means a pretty girl might be amazing in the
bedroom but quite useless as a homemaker.

Hollywood movies often portray "spirited" women as somehow desirable. No,
they aren't desirable; they're feral, they attack men and make them
miserable. Hollywood also commonly portrays women slapping men in the
face and getting away with it. That is NOT what Peter means by a "gentle
and quiet spirit" and besides, slapping is the criminal act of assault and
battery-- not what I would call setting a good example for growing girls.

● Matt 5:3 . . Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peaceable: for they shall be known as God's
kin.

An assertive, confrontational woman is neither peaceable nor poor in spirit;
no, in point of fact she's quite militant, obnoxious, chafing, critical,
temperamental, impudent, and arrogant. Those might be desirable
characteristics for strong females in television and movie roles but clearly
not desirable in a Christian wife.

When a Christian wife gets all dressed up to her nines, but yet lacks a
"gentle and quiet spirit" then her ensemble is incomplete. In point of fact, an
assertive, confrontational wife is, in reality, nothing less than a barnyard
animal.

● Prv 11:22 . . As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman
which is without discretion.

So then, by all means Christian women should continue to shop at Sephora,
but at the same time make an effort to be agreeable too.

● 1Pet 3:5-6 . .That is the way the holy women of old made themselves
beautiful. They trusted God and were subordinate to their husbands. For
instance: Sarah submitted to her husband, Abraham, when she called him
her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of
what your husbands might do.

Sarah, as you might recall, was a stunning girl not only in her youth, but
even later on after menopause. But from what I gather from their
association, Sarah's physical attributes are not why Abraham chose to live
with her, and in point of fact, I really don't think Abraham paid all that much
attention to Sarah's looks at all. No, Sarah was special in other ways; and
even when she couldn't bear Abraham a child, he stuck with her; though in
that day, he didn't have to.

What is it that a Christian wife might fear from her husband? Well, that's
pretty easy. No doubt her biggest concern is that he might take advantage
of her affable personality. Well, that's insufficient grounds to stop a Christian
woman from being the kind of woman that Christ can approve. If it's any
comfort; we're all in the same boat. People are naturally predatory, and
can't help but take advantage of Christianity's good nature. What can I say:
it comes with the turf.

● Phil 1:29 . . For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in
Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

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466) 1Pet 3:7a . . Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to
knowledge

The koiné Greek word for "knowledge" is gnosis (gno'-sis) which means:
knowing (as information) in other words: facts and/or ideas acquired by
study, investigation, observation, or experience.

Gnosis is different than "intuition" which Webster's defines as: the power, or
faculty, of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational
thought and inference.

Gnosis is different than "instinct" too, which Webster's defines as: (1) a
natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity, (2) a largely inheritable
and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific
response to environmental stimuli without involving reason, and (3)
behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level; viz : a
mental and/or emotional knee-jerk reflex.

So then, Peter is talking about husbands applying instructed knowledge of
Christian social skills to their marriages.

There are young boys being brought up by macho (a.k.a. toxic) fathers
teaching their sons to "control their women". Well, that might be an
acceptable marriage philosophy in the home of a Muslim fundamentalist
and/or a club-toting Neanderthal, but not in the home of a man passing
himself off as one of Christ's followers. In a pious home, Christian husbands
are neither required nor expected to tame their Christian wives seeing as
how the onus is upon the Christian wives themselves to exercise self control.

NOTE: It's required of Christ's followers to love their enemies but it's not
required of Christ's followers to like their enemies nor is it required to always
have a good opinion about them. However, though Christian love need not
include the element of fondness; Christian love does need to include the
element of diplomacy; which Webster's defines as skill in handling affairs
without arousing hostility, viz: tact.

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467) 1Pet 3:7b . . giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel,

The koiné Greek word for "honor" is time (tee-may') which means: a value,
i.e. money paid.

The word for "weaker" is asthenes (as-then-ace') which means: having no
strength, i.e. fragile.

And the word for "vessel" is skeuos (skyoo'-os) which can indicate anything
from a soup bowl to a file cabinet or a cardboard box; in other words: a
container.

Peter isn't saying women are physically weaker than men; but that Christian
husbands should exercise the same care with their wives as they would a
fragile antique worth thousands of dollars like, say, a Ming vase. Nobody in
their right mind handles a Ming vase like a farmer handles a 5-gallon bucket.
Not that some women couldn't take that kind of handling; it's just that its
unbecoming for a Christian man to lack sensitivity for his wife's feelings.

This Ming-vase value isn't an intrinsic value, nor is it a deserved value
either; but rather, it's a gratuitous value. In other words: Christ commands
Christian husbands to categorize their wives up there with Dresden china
even if she's as tough as a female cop and/or a UFC mixed martial artist the
likes of Rhonda Rousey-- and this is not a choice; no, it's not a choice; it's
an order.

Christian husbands who treat their Skil saws and their tomato plants with
more care and concern than they treat their wives can just forget about
associating with God on any meaningful level.

● 1Pet 3:7c . . as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers
be not hindered.

Note the word "together" which is quite the opposite of autonomy and/or
independence.

Couples sometimes assert themselves with words like "What I do is between
me and The Lord." No; not when you're married. Marriage changes
everything between one's self and The Lord because people become one
flesh in marriage: no longer two.

468) 1Pet 3:8a . . Finally, all of you be of one mind,

Peter’s not talking about the nerve center of a Borg-hive collective. The
koiné Greek word for "one mind" is homophron (hom-of'-rone) which
means: harmonious; and this is the only place in the entire New Testament
where that word appears.

Webster’s defines "harmonious" as: 1) musically concordant, 2) having the
parts agreeably related; viz: congruous, and 3) marked by accord in
sentiment or action.

Peter's directive emphasizes the third element-- "marked by accord in
sentiment or action". Head-strong Christians, domineering Christians, those
for whom every disagreement is either an affront or an act of war to win at
any cost-- those for whom the word diplomacy has no meaning --of course
have trouble complying with 1Pet 3:8a; that is: if they even consider it
worthy of their notice.

469) 1Pet 3:8b-9 . . having compassion one of another, love as brethren,
be pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but
contrariwise blessing.

"compassion" is from the koiné Greek word sumpathes (soom-path-ace')
which means: having a fellow-feeling; viz: sympathetic, i.e. (by implication)
mutually commiserative.

One of the meanings of commiserate is condole: like when we share
someone's grief at the passing of a loved one, or their job has been
outsourced to cheap labor in India, or they've lost their entire retirement
fund to an unscrupulous corporation like ENRON, or their life savings to a
crooked Ponzi schemer like Bernie Madoff, or when there's news from their
doctor they have to begin chemo-therapy for a recently detected advanced
cancer, or when the car of a single mom with limited income needs
expensive repairs. That is no time to be thoughtless. People in those
predicaments are in sore need of condolences, and they are in no mood for
philosophical platitudes.

The Greek word for "railing" is loidoria (loy-dor-ee'-ah) which means slander
or vituperation; which Webster's defines as 1) to abuse or censure severely
or abusively; viz: berate, and 2) to use harsh condemnatory language.

Rejoinders fall into that category; which are defined as a usually rude or
angry reply to something written or said; viz: insensitive come-backs
deliberately meant to hurt people's feelings; viz: tit for tat. That kind of
behavior doesn't go unnoticed.

● Matt 12:36-37 . . I say to you, that every careless word that men shall
speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your
words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

470) 1Pet 3:10-11 . . Let him who means to love life and see good days
refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn
away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Webster's defines guile as "duplicity" which is defined as: contradictory
doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially in the belying of one's
true intentions by deceptive words or action; in other words, speaking with a
forked tongue and/or saying one thing while meaning another.

You know, it's ironic; but if we were to take guile out of the political process,
nobody would get elected. I simply cannot imagine an America with
forthright politicians either in Congress, or the Senate, or the White House.

My father-in-law, who retired from Safeco Title as a senior vice president
and general counsel, once remarked that advertising is the art of deception.
You know what that says to me? It says that Madison Avenue's Mad Men
really have gone mad after all.

FYI: To seek peace and pursue it is blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

If it's true that only peaceable kinds of people qualify to wear the label
"children of God" then the opposite is just as true: difficult Christians are
unworthy of the distinction.

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471) 1Pet 3:14a . . If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you
are blessed.

Peter isn't talking about one's religious beliefs per se, but about one's
personal righteousness; in other words, one's personal conduct, and their
convictions about what's right and what's wrong.

The koiné Greek word for "righteousness" in that passage is dikaiosune (dik
ah-yos-oo'-nay) which means: equity (of character or act). Webster's
defines equity as: justice according to natural law or right; specifically
freedom from bias or favoritism.

When Adam and his wife indulged in the forbidden fruit, they became their
own Gods with their own opinions about what's right and what's wrong.

● Gen 3:22 . . And Yhvh God said: The man has now become like one of us,
knowing good and evil.

To give an idea of just how much this situation effects everyday life: the US
Supreme Court not too long ago voted 5-4 on an important firearms issue.
What does that tell me? It tells me that there are justices on that Court
whose opinions are unrighteous because if the justices were all righteous,
then the vote, whichever way it went, would have been unanimous.

The effects of humanistic righteousness are evident in mainstream
Christianity too. Some time ago, a Presbyterian General Assembly voted
whether or not to allow gay clergy. The measure passed by the slimmest of
margins: 51%. What does that tell me? It tells me that fully half of that
Presbyterian General Assembly is not listening to God because had they all
been listening, the vote would have been unanimous one way or the other
rather than two opposing opinions.

NOTE: There should be no question that a gay clergy is wrong.

● 1Tim 3:7 . . He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that
he will not fall into disgrace and into the Devil's trap.

A gay Christian church elder would be seen by the world as a bona fide
hypocrite; which can be roughly defined as somebody who should be
standing for the Bible but at heart does not care to live by it. With a
Christian church officer like that; it's reasonable to suspect that the3
congregation is compromised in other areas of faith and practices.

472) 1Pet 3:14b . . And do not fear their intimidation, nor be shaken,

Peer pressure, mob rule, cultural influences, group-think, survival, and
customs are always at work seeking to manipulate people.

Take for example the current wave of suicide bombings and acts of terrorism
perpetrated by Islamic extremists. In their own sick estimation, the murders
and destruction of private property they cause are justifiable; but any
unbiased person can easily see that what they are committing are crimes
against humanity.

The extremists no doubt see themselves as martyrs and patriots, but the
unbiased world only sees them as criminals; which, in the grand scheme of
things; is exactly what they are. Meanwhile, the extremists are exerting peer
pressure on peaceable Muslims all over the world to join their cause. When
peaceable Muslims refuse, then they too become targets just as if they were
devils rather than followers of Mohammad. In other words, the extremists
are insinuating that unless Islamists commit murder and destruction of
private property, they aren't true Muslims. That's a pretty extreme example
of how peer pressure, mob rule, cultural influences, group-think, survival,
and customs cause people to do unrighteous things.

In this current world, if you side with God in matters of right and wrong, you
become a target for intimidation; which Webster's defines as: inducing fear
and/or a sense of inferiority. Intimidation need not be a threat of violence to
be effective. Peer pressure and ostracism are powerful tools of intimidation.
Human beings are herd animals; we all want to fit in and belong. If you
follow the herd, you will be accepted; but if you dare to buck the tide; you
will find yourself unpopular in a very short time. It's ironic. Here in America
we idolize the concept of rugged individuality. But the truth is; we despise
people who do their own thinking; and Americans really despise individuals
who dare to side with God.

I was reading an article in the newspaper recently that said in the past, it
was wise for candidates for Federal office take sides with religion, but
nowadays, in an increasingly irreligious American society, it's becoming best
not to if they hope to win enough votes to get elected.

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473) 1Pet 3:15a . . Dedicate your hearts to The Lord God

The koiné Greek word for "hearts" in that verse is from kardia (kar-dee'-ah);
an ambiguous word that can mean the organ pumping blood throughout the
body, the core of one's being, one's affections, one's center, and/or one's
thoughts and feelings,

Dedicating one's heart is sort of like setting it upon something, i.e. to have a
strong (and sometimes inflexible) desire for something; for example:

● Luke 22:14-15 . .When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at
the table. And he said to them: I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover
with you before I suffer.

Within the context of 1Pet 3:10-16, dedicating one's heart to The Lord
pertains to moral goodness with respect to how God feels about certain
things, i.e. one's conscience.

It is first necessary to know what constitutes moral goodness in respect to
how God feels about things; and in order to know, His followers have to get
into the Bible.

● Rom 12:1-2 . . I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act
of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

● Heb 5:14 . . Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have
trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

A training regimen, though it be the best, is quite useless unless people
work at it on a regular basis. That's just common sense. For example: Yoga
will improve your balance; but you've got to make Yoga a regular part of
your life in order for it to work. A little Yoga here, and a little Yoga there, is
not exactly the ideal way to go about it.

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474) 1Pet 3:15b . . Be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.

The koiné Greek word for "hope" in that passage, and in others (e.g. Rom
8:23-25) is elpis (el-pece') which means expectation; viz: elpis isn't wishful
thinking, nor crossing your fingers, nor is it a blend of longing, insecurity,
and doubt; no, elpis is a confident kind of hope that looks forward to
something that it fully expects to obtain; ergo: elpis is an anticipating hope;
viz: it doesn't pray for the best, while in the back of its mind dreading the
worst.

When people aren't 110% sure what the afterlife has in store for them-- if
there is even the slightest concern, or unease --they can't possibly comply
with 1Pet 3:15b for the simple reason that the hope that is in them, if any,
is the wrong kind of hope.

"Rejoicing in hope." (Rom 12:12)

When people are praying for the best, while in the back of their mind
dreading the worst, they have absolutely no cause for rejoicing; no; but they
do have plenty of cause to fear the unknown.

Know-so hope is a calling.

"You were also called to the one hope" (Eph 4:4)

So when people are unsure of their afterlife destiny; it's an indication that
they have not yet responded to the call to the one hope.

FAQ: What is this so-called one hope?

A: One of its components is a new body. (Acts 2:26-27, Acts 23:6, Rom
8:23-25, and 1John 3:2)

Having a new body to look forward to is comforting and helps me cope with
losing the body I have now; especially its deterioration. Death is bad
enough, but the aging process to my thinking is worse. Thank heavens we
only have to get old just the one time and never again.

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475) 1Pet 4:1-2 . .Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the
flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no
longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

The koiné Greek word for flesh is sarx (sarx); which basically indicates
the meaty parts of either man or beast; i.e. the body. The meaty parts of
course include one's brain.

The "lusts of men" is speaking of wants that are common to everyone. (cf.
1Cor 10:13)

The koiné Greek word for "lusts" is epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah) which
means: a longing, defined by Webster's as a strong desire, i.e. a craving.

Cravings aren't necessarily bad. Problems arise when we let our cravings
rule us to the point of acting contrary to good scruples and/or our better
judgment especially when it comes to making God frown upon our conduct
as unbecoming, i.e. inappropriate for His son's followers.

NOTE: It offends some Christians to even so much as think that Christ
might've had human longings just like everybody else. They truly believe he
should have been above all that-- he wasn't. Much of Jesus' suffering in the
flesh came from suppressing his body's natural cravings. (Heb 5:7-8)

As the Word in heaven above, Jesus knew by omniscience that it's tough to
be an h.sapiens; but now he knows for himself by personal experience just
how tough it is. (Heb 2:16-18, Heb 4:15)

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476) 1Pet 4:7 . . The culmination of all things is approaching; therefore be
serious, and watchful in your prayers.

Another version says:

". . . therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your
prayers."

In other words; if we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in
darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1John 1:6, cf. Gen 4:7, Isa
1:2-15, and 1Pet 3:7)

477) 1Pet 4:8 . . Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love hides a large number of sins.

A person easily provoked is not a loving person.

One Saturday morning I and another man at church were moving some
furniture from one place to another inside the main building where,
completely unknown to us, a wedding rehearsal was being conducted. The
woman in charge of organizing the wedding came out into the hall and
began scolding us for talking and making noise. When I pointed out that
there were no posted signs in the hallway indicating a function in progress
on the other side of the door, she became sullen, and tightened her lips and
narrowed her eyes in anger. Had that lady exemplified the love about which
Peter wrote, she would have handled her inconvenience with a little more
tact and sensitivity.

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be known as
God's kin.

BTW: That same lady was also in the choir, and sang doxologies in front of
about 2,000 people every Sunday morning. She was good at musical
harmony, but obviously in sore need of some training in the civil kind.

478) 1Pet 4:10 . .As each one has received a special gift, employ it in
serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The koiné Greek word for "manifold" is poikilos (poy-kee'-los) which
means: motley, i.e. varied in character. All that’s really saying is that the
gifts of God are multifarious; viz: having a number of different aspects or
characteristics. (cf. Rom 12:5-8, 1Cor 12:1-11)

Unfortunately, people with natural aptitudes generally make up the majority
of those in church capacities for which is supposed to be required a spiritual
gift from God. They may look like they're "on fire" for The Lord, but really all
they are is ambitious.

479) 1Pet 4:11b . . Whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which
God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Hardly anybody seems to care much about that anymore, nor would
anybody probably know the difference anyway. It’s been my observation
that the truly spiritually-gifted Christians are mostly invisible, and go about
their business right under the noses of the stars in church, whose own
spiritual decadence is oftentimes very embarrassing to Christianity.

Point being; those that do have genuine spiritual gifts need to make very
sure that when they exercise those gifts in church; they do so for the benefit
of The Lord’s sheep rather than for their own ends.

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441) Jas 5:7-8 . . Persevere, therefore, brethren, until the coming of The
Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being
patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; be
strong, for the coming of The Lord is at hand.

The koiné Greek word for "at hand" is eggizo (eng-id'-zo) which means: to
make near; viz: approach

So then, "at hand" doesn’t necessarily mean The Lord is poised to drop in
any second now, but rather, his arrival is approaching and getting nearer by
the minute.

Although James' encouragement no doubt applies to all believers, it
especially applies to his Jewish countrymen. They have been waiting, and
waiting, and waiting for God to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob; and to restore David's kingdom as per the voices of the
prophets. I'm told that many have given up hope of the promises and the
predictions ever coming to pass. But James says don't give up; God is
reliable; and He and the kingdom are both worth waiting for no matter how
long it takes.

The problem is: according to 2Pet 3:9, The Lord is actually reluctant to
return; primarily because an awful lot of people are going to lose their lives
when He does.

Take for example Rev 16:18-19 where there's predicted a world-wide
earthquake preceding The Lord's return so severe on the Richter scale that
cities all over the world will collapse at once. Something like 2,829 lost their
lives when the World Trade Center was demolished by a terrorist attack in
2001. Well that was only a small portion of New York City. Just imagine the
body count when all of Manhattan comes down at once. along with other
major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Mexico City, Paris, Moscow,
Beijing, Tokyo, et al. The carnage will be beyond belief. Surely nobody in a
right mind is in a rush to see all of that start happening.

442) Jas 5:9 . . Do not complain against one another, brethren, that you
yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the
door.

Although watching porn, quarrelling with a spouse, mistreating the kids,
road rage, J-walking, coasting through a stop sign, spray-painting graffiti on
a subway car, or cussing the neighbor’s dog, is bad enough; kangaroo
courting is even worse.

If there’s a personality clash between you and a fellow believer; God forbid
you should drag other people into the middle of it! And keep in mind that
God is an eavesdropper. He hears and sees everything we do, think, or say.
Don't let Him catch you maliciously shredding a fellow believer's reputation,
assassinating their character and/or running them into the ground behind
their back.

/

What is Kangaroo Courting?