Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2021
February 2021
 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 
1 Peter 1:17

The Apostle Peter admonishes followers of Christ to live before the Father in holiness.  In ourselves we cannot do that, but through Christ, what is not easy is possible.  Peter describes several things God wants you to do.  1) prepare your minds for action, 2) be self-controlled, 3) set your hope on the grace to be brought to you at the return of Jesus, 4) do not conform to your former evil desires you had in ignorance, 5) be holy, and 6) while on earth do everything you can to live for the Lord.

Why are these things so important and even necessary?  One day every Christian, that includes YOU, will answer to God for all that you have done in this world.  Remember you are not your own, you have been bought with the precious blood of the Lamb.  Remember that you are called for the purpose of holiness, so whatever you go through, good times or bad, sickness or health, keep your hope and eyes upon Jesus and live for Him in holiness.

Adapted From:
http://carm.org/1-peter-11-3-21living-before-god-the-father/

As one becomes a more mature Cjristian, Peter describes what holiness in one's life demands.  "Love one another earnestly."  Peter further describes this love as a "sincere love for your brothers."  The word for love in verse 22 means a brotherly, affectionate love but at the end of verse 22, Peter commands that we love one another deeply," and the word he uses means agape love - on especially strong, deep love and the words he uses to describe this love, sincere, deep, from the heart, or an unfeigned and fervent love.  These words speak of the effort required for love, the depth of that love and it's duration.  Therefore see that you love one another with both a brotherly love and a deep God-given love.

Adapted From:
http://dashhouse.com/1998726a-life-of-love-1-peter-122-210.html/

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 2:5

Peter's first letter was written to encourage people who were emotionally drained and disorientated by traumatic historical and social events.  They were reeling from the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the dwelling place of God, and they were experiencing alienation and suffering as outsiders of the social and political system.  Peter invited his readers to keep coming to Jesus and to allow themselves to be built up into a spiritual temple or household of God.  This was and is good news for people experiencing persecution and alienation.

Those who follow Christ often experience persecution and alienation.  If you find yourself facing these challenges, remember the words of Peter and keep coming to Jesus.  When the "cancel culture" and the world systems try to squeeze you into its mold (Rom 12:1-2), press in toward Jesus, the living stone and be a living stone built up as a spiritual house in Christ.

Adapted From:
https://directionjournal.org/33/2/gods-spiritual-house-study-of-1-peter-2.html

This passage is about living honorably, even in the face of oppression and enticement.  This is a call and challenge for us to see the world differently so we can respond in kindness and virtue.  The world, with all its lusts and evils, is not to be the place of our identity or the place in which we want to be enveloped: rather it is to be the place we are to influence.

Even as "sojourners and pilgrims," we can be influencers.  Our guidelines come from the character and teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If they come from any place else, our thinking will be influenced and our actions will become absorbed with "fleshly lust," rather than abstaining from these influences.

Adapted From:
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid+36039