Swept Away by Grace: A Study in I Peter (part 15)—Firm in Truth with Hearts Wide Open
I Corinthians 16: (GNV) 13 Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: quit you like men, and be strong. 14 Let all your things be done in love.
As Peter has instructed the people in the truth of gospel, he was well aware that they would be attacked because of their faith. Whenever we stand on truth—we could be called narrow minded because we believe the only way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, Peter urges them to stand firm in Truth with hearts wide open. The Gospel truth holds firm in faith and that firm faith and knowledge of truth regarding our own salvation can open our hearts wide to love fully all whom we meet without judgment and without compromising our truth.
Picture used by permission of Ronald Barba
As Christians we are to stand upon the uncompromising truth of the Gospel which in turn opens our hearts to love, assist, reach out and embrace genuinely all those who disagree. Because we know what we believe is true, we have no fear of openly loving all who disagree. It gives us the open hearts that will love beyond disagreements
We have found Joy and Love in a close relationship with the Creator and desire to share that with all those whom we meet. Yet, it is love which compels us and that means we must be ready to answer when asked about the hope that is in us in as gentle a manner as we can. Let us strive to be that—gentle soft spoken open hearted truth bearers.
Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness
This is how Peter wrote it:
I Peter 3: (AMP) 13 Now who is there to hurt you if you are [d]zealous followers of that which is good? 14 But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition].15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.16 [And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear ([e]unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].17 For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.18 For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once[f]for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God.
In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit,
Let me end with a quote from C S Lewis: “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.” C.S.Lewis
Listen to this song as sung by Josh Groban “ON EAGLES WINGS”
Amplified Bible (AMP)
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1599 Geneva Bible(GNV)
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork is used with written permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. His work can be found at: http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all
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