Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter (part 18)—A New Commandment to Love

I Peter 4: (GNV) “^{7 [h]}Now the end of all things is at hand. Be ye therefore sober, and watching in prayer. ^{8 [i]}But above all things have fervent love among you: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.”

Peter has reminded us of the Grace by which we are saved and that it is not because of anything we have done. Just as Peter had learned at the cross, there was nothing within his own character of which to be proud. Indeed selfish, self-centered pride seeking self-exaltation was man’s original sin as Adam and Eve desired to be “God” rather than to enjoy the pleasure of their position as provided for, protected children. That is the same issue we have faced within our own hearts ever since. In the very center of our human hearts lurks this evil of selfish pride seeking to exalt our own being. Peter is so aware of this evil being present within the body of the church as well as the world. He urges the early church to be willing to suffer as Jesus suffered for the sake of the gospel. He reminds them that this can only be done through the grace of Christ transforming us, through focusing on the brevity of this world’s journey, and by watchful prayer. Peter now urges the early church to love each other and to let fervent love give a heart of forgiveness, kindness, and encouragement. He had been there at the last supper when Christ said as recorded in, John 13: “³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

photo used with permission of Cheryl Delashmit

For me to lay aside my self-exalting, selfishness of heart to develop Christ like unconditional love that forgives others I must first be honest with myself regarding my own sin. In humility I must first remember that without Grace, I am nothing. My position in Christ is because of who Christ is and His redemptive work at the cross. If I understand that truth, then how would I not be able to forgive my brother or sister in Christ?

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Swept away by Grace-A Study in I Peter (part 17)-Beauty that Emerges Out of Pain

Christ came to give new life and to give it abundantly; yet, often we see dear Christians suffer physically while battling illness. Some would cry out in anger and ask God, why? Since God is the supreme, omnipotent physician why would He ever allow physical and/or emotional illness in any of His adopted children? That is the question Peter wants to address. I Peter 4: (AMP) “So, since Christ suffered in the flesh ^[a]for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and^[b]purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having ^[c]the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],² So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.”

Pain has its way of either pushing us into bitterness or drawing us closer to God. There are times along this journey when God may call upon us to suffer that within that pain and suffering He may use it for His Glory and the spreading of the Gospel. How we see that suffering becomes pivotal to our walk. Peter knew this as he urged his readers to remember the suffering of Christ and to see that suffering in the light of Christ’s physical suffering.

Photo used by permission of Sarah Barba—please click on photo for more information. 

As the butterfly struggles and breaks forth from the cocoon, there emerges this very fragile creature of beauty. When we are able to see suffering as a blessing through the eyes of Christ; from the depths of even life long illness and pain can emerge a gentleness of spirit, a kindness of the eyes, and outward demonstration of God’s love and Glory that could never be displayed otherwise.

The surgery was over. As I awoke from the anesthesia, I felt excruciating pain raging

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Echoes of You in the Darkest Night

By Effie Darlene Barba

Oh, Lord, I fear this heart may break

With sadness for another’s sake

They do not know your love, your grace

The Radiant light-Your glorious face

Chorus:

Oh, let me Lord shine forth thy light

Echoes of you in darkest night

Remove each selfish thought of mine

Your love might through these hands then shine

Guard my words, these stuttering lips

And keep my feet from faltering slips

I long to show your goodness clear

I pray they see you are so dear

Chorus:

Let me Lord shine forth thy light

With Echoes of you in the darkest night

Remove each selfish thought of mine

Your love might through these hands then shine

Much more than what my words can say

Let my life show for them the way

That they may know the joy sublime

That comes from you-Your love Divine

Chorus:

Let me Lord shine forth thy light

With Echoes of you in the darkest night

Remove each selfish thought of mine

Your love might through these hands then shine

 

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter (part 16)—Winning the Battle for Joy

In this world we are confronted from every side with trials, disappointments and the news of evil. The economical battles, the political battles, and even the personal battles we face each day. All of what surrounds us could cause us to lose our hope and joy, if we are not willing to fight for its truth in our life. Neither am I talking about some “prosperity gospel” which sugar coats and says “name it and claim it” as though material possessions bring joy or making God into some type of Santa Claus figure. Instead, as Peter suggests :

 

used by written permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. For more information-click on the picture

 

the battle for joy is a battle we win because of our knowledge of truth. Our relationship with the living God is that source of joy and love so that we are able to have deep joy, peace and love; no matter what the circumstances surrounding us.

Look to whom he was speaking and the truth of his own life. Those who believed were tortured, beaten, imprisoned and murdered for their faith; yet, the preciousness of that relationship so overflowed within Peter that he continued to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had seen Jesus, walked with him and watched Him die on the cross—in fact, he returned to fishing—then, Peter saw the resurrected Christ and knew the truth. So, Peter urged the people with these words:

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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.

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