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“Christians Are To Live
“As”
The book of First Peter addresses the
life that must be lived by those that have a “lively hope by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3) Christians are those that have
been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus, and now they must stay clean and
holy in their manner of living. Peter said, “Knowing that you were not redeemed
with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct
received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Christians are to walk both in
hope and in holiness. Peter used the little word “as” to picture the manner of
life of the Christian.
Christians
are to live “as” obedient children. Peter said Christians are to live,
“as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in
your ignorance.” (I Peter 1:14) Christians are to live as children of obedience
to God. Our daily conduct must be like that of obedient children. We must never
allow ourselves to be controlled by our former desires. Christians know the
requirements of the gospel. Therefore they should fashion themselves after
God, their heavenly Father, who is holy.
Christians must live godly lives “as” obedient children of God.
Christians
are to live holy “as” God is holy.
“But as he which
hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” (I Peter
1:15) We must always live as God's holy people because God is the one that
chose us, and He is holy. God is glorious in holiness, and He is the source and
fountain of holiness in others. In the book of Exodus God is described in these
powerful words, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises,
doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11) “As” God is holy so Christians must likewise be
holy.
Christians
are to live with a desire for God's word “as” a baby desires milk.
Christians must, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you
may grow thereby.” (I Peter 2:2) The Gospel is not only the means of helping a
person that is consumed by sin; it even makes alive those that are dead in sin.
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this
is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Peter 1:25) When
obeyed, the word of God gives both meaning and joy to life. As the baby craves
milk, Christians must crave the word of God. God's word is nourishment for our
soul. Do you have an appetite for God's word “as” a baby has for milk?
Christians
are to live “as” lively stones in God's spiritual temple. “Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.” (I Peter 2:5) Christians are
“as” lively stones that are being used to build a spiritual house. With the
help of Jesus Christ these lively stones will offer sacrifices that please God.
These lively stones have been hewn out of the quarry of the world and made fit
for this spiritual building by the blood of Jesus. As stones their faith and
love are to be lasting and durable. It is because of the spiritual life that
Christians obtain from Jesus that we are called “lively stones.” Are you living
“as” a lively stone in God's spiritual house?
Christians
are to live "as" sojourners and pilgrims. Christians are
strangers in this world, just passing through.
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly
lusts which war against the soul.” (I Peter 2:11) As Christians, our condition
in the world is that of being strangers and pilgrims. We must not impede our
spiritual growth and progress by giving in to the wickedness and lusts of the
country through which we are passing. Our citizenship is in heaven.
(Philippians 3:20) Christians are in this world only as sojourners. Let us not become too attached.
Christians
are to live “as” free and yet “as” slaves. Christians are free people
that are bond servants of Christ. “As free, yet not using
liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” (I Peter
2:16) Our life should be as free people
without any pretext for wickedness; but at all times let us live as servants
of God. Slaves were given food and
clothing. “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” (I
Timothy 6:8)
Christians
are to live “as” brethren. God expects Christians to live and love as
brethren. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another;
love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” (I Peter 3:8) Christians should be united in spirit,
sympathizing with one another and loving each other as brethren. Christians are members of the same household.
The whole of God's law is summed up in love. (Romans 13:8-10) Do you love the brethren?
Christians are to live
“as” good stewards of God's grace. Christians must be faithful stewards of that which is granted
them by God's grace. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Peter 4:10)
Christians are to be faithful stewards of the power and gifts granted by God's
undeserved favor. Whatever the gifts that we have received, use them for one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Are you a good trustee
of God's many-sided grace?
Christians
are to live “as” those that are willing to suffer for Christ. Rejoice
that you are counted worthy to suffer as a Christian. “Yet if anyone suffers as
a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
(I Peter 4:16) Christ suffered because He was holy. Christians suffer because
they resemble Him. Jesus is never ashamed of the Christian, and His people
should never be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. Are you ever ashamed of
Christ, His name, His church or His teaching? Are you willing to suffer “as” a
Christian?
Peter, by
inspiration of God, has given us precious and powerful teachings on the manner
of life Christians should live. Satan tries to get Christians to live a life
displeasing to God. Christ wants us to “walk as children of light.” God bless
you as you live for Jesus “as” He would have you live. If you live “as” Christ
would have you live you can look forward to “an inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter
1:4)
Are you in Christ? Have you heard the gospel (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News
& Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers:
Lacey Barr, Malachi Beauchamp, Nikki Bennett, Emily Cain, Candi
Finlayson, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona
Gravely, Ron Green, Jimmy Hobbie (heart cath), Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Evelyn Lewis, Joyce
Massey, Gwen Register, Glennie Ruth Palmer, Mary
Powell, Savanah Powell (daughter of Randall &
Sherrie Powell), Anna Salter, L.D. Sessions (after surgery), Joe Smith, and
Ricky White. Crowne Health Care: Laura
Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva
Lou Wright.
2. Sympathy Expressed: Our
love and sympathy are expressed to Bobby Terrell and his family in the death of
his sister, Gloria Terrell.
3. Please Pray
For: (a) Alan Jackson as he
serves in
4. Special Need For
Prayer: Brenda & Willie Herring are expecting triplets. Brenda is
facing several weeks of bed rest. Please pray for her and the babies.
5. Fish Fry: Several people
deserve special thanks for their help with the “fish fry”. Our thanks to these
and all others that helped make that good night possible – Lomax
& Deborah Owens, Dennis & Margaret Phillips, Doyle Bender, Susan
Murphy, Dennis & Virginia Lowery and Thomas & Pam Till. The fish were
provided by L.D. Sessions and Bobby Terrell. Thanks to all that participated!
6. Birthdays: Celebrating
birthdays this week are: June 18th Kelsey Woodard,
June
20th Lacey Barr and Janelle Capps, and June 21st Ruth
Davis, Alice Padgett, and Bobby Terrell.
7. Baby Shower/Covered Dish Supper:
There will be a baby shower and covered dish supper for Brenda and Willie
Herring on June 24th at
8. Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary:
The children of Haurice and Mary Alice Conway request
the pleasure of your company at a reception to celebrate our parents fiftieth
wedding anniversary Sunday, the twenty-fifth of June, two thousand six 2:00 –
4:00 p.m. Liberty Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, Pintlala,
Alabama (No gifts please)
9. Thank You:
10. Area Events: (a) June 18-23 – “National Worship for
the Deaf” – Niceville Church of Christ – call 850-678-2911 for details. (b) June 25-28 – Gospel Meeting –
Sardis Church of Christ – Jimmy Mathews – Sunday Bible Study
11. Please
Pre-Register: We anticipate a great week at Backwoods Christian Camp.
The dates are July 9th – 14th. Our theme for the week is
“Learning to Lean on Jesus”. We are expecting a tremendous number of people, so
all groups and individuals are requested to pre-register. If you need
registration forms, please contact Walnut Street Church of Christ,
12. Food Committee Lists: The food committee lists are on the
bulletin board. The ladies are asked to signup on the list of your choice. In a
few days all ladies will be put on a list but we wanted to give you the
opportunity to choose first.
Does Your Love For God Affect Your Life?
Imagine
a life where the only worry you have about telling lies is whether or not
anyone will find out. A life where just anything is a valid
reason to forsake the assembly. A life where your only
concern about missing worship services is figuring out a believable excuse to
tell the preacher. Imagine a life in which you give little or none of
what you earn back to the Lord, and what you do give
goes into the plate reluctantly. A life where your decisions
are not affected by your relationship with God. What did David mean when
he wrote: “With my whole heart I seek you” (Ps 119:10)?
The
Lord has asked some difficult things of His children. “Love your enemies” (Mt
Now,
imagine a life in which you don’t fret over whether to miss services for an
all-star game. A life where you wouldn’t be in a dilemma when
acquaintances invite you to participate in a worldly activity that is not becoming
of a Christian. A life in which you aren’t torn between Wednesday night
Bible study and the American Idol finale, and the super bowl doesn’t come close
to having the appeal of assembling with God’s faithful on a Sunday night. A
life where your thoughts are filled with dreams of heaven,
and your desires are continually for pleasing God where your words are pure and
you are the same godly person wherever you go. Is this your life? Does your
whole heart belong to the Almighty God?
-
- - - Darrell
Powell
-
Christians must do all they can to take others to Heaven
with them.
Don’t just own a
Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)