The Coolidge examiner. [volume] (Coolidge, Ariz.) 1930-current, 1939-03-16

in all manner of conversational Peter
lis.
Christians are not only the
called of Jesus Christ" but are also
"called saints" rom. l:6, y. Peter
had the same thing in mind when
he Tin V. of our lesson) says that
we "are thereunto called" Let US
remember that when we are tempt
ed to say that we do not profess to
be saints" DIR. James Denney
once remarked how odd 1t would
look to see in the New Testament
the statement, I don't pretend to
be a saint 1t would be tantamount
to saying, L do not take the call
of God very seriously and l do not
profess to live up to it, When God
calls, our answer is not matter
of indifference and not a mat
ter of presumption. 1t is not a
life for which we volunteer, or on
which we adventure OF our own mo-
ton, or which we have to carry
through our own resources; it is a
life for which we have a divine
summons, and that summons is our
Justification (Arnold's Common
tary). All believers are called to
live consistent, powerful, useful
Christian life. and God makes such
a life possible.
L. Living for Christ wv. 8-l2).
To live for Christ one must be
born again into the position of
true believer. Peter was not so
foolish as to urge that his readers
try to live a Christian life without
first being born into the family of
God. He therefore lays a founda
ton for his exhortations by discuss
ing in the early chapters of his
epistle the atonement of Christ and
the position of the believer. Then
he gives specific instructions to GER
tain groups, leading up to the gen.
eral plea for Christian life and testi-
mony.
l. Among brethren w. 81. Know
ing what Christ has done for us, it
might well be assumed that all of
us who are His followers would love
one another and do nothing but that
which would promote Christian fell
lowship. But human nature pre-
walls even in the Church, and some
times displays its worst side there.
Hnnnn To or n
struction of Peter that we cultivate
unity, sympathy. and love among
the brethren. Observe that this is
not just pious platitude which we
may take or leave. 1t states our
obligation to one another as Chris
tians. Whatever others may do or
say, let us be clear that we have
obeyed this word of God
2. With unbelievers (vv. Gid.
God has called us to live peaceably
with all men. We will not cure
evil by returning for it more evil.
If our ungodly neighbors or fellow
workers mistreat us by word or
deed, we are not to retaliate in
kind. We are to control our tongues
how much we need to learn that
lesson. We are not to be tricky
and deceitful not to look for a fight,
but to seek peace.
3. For our own good ". 12). What
blessed assurance we find here for
the believer. The eyes of the Lord
are upon both the good and the
evil in the world. He knows Con-
slider also the promise of bless
ing" in verse 8, of seeing good
days" in verse 10, the assurance of
peace in verse IL. 1t is not only
honoring to God, but good for us
to live as Christians.
III. Suffering for Christ tvv. 1919
Peter was writing to those who
were bearing bitter persecution be-
cause they followed Christ. Per-
hapS some were tempted to say
then as they do now, IF there really
is God, if Christianity amounts to
anything at all, certainly believers
would not be permitted to suffer at
the hands of enemies of Christ"
Let us be clear that being a Chris
tan in no way exemptS us from
the common experiences of human
ity, nor does it assure us that we
will not have to bear persecution
and suffering. But (and here is a
point of greatest Importance, we
are able to meet such difficulties in
the name of Christ without fear
or diScourag cement, for God is with
u.s.
l. Not afraid wv. Is, l4). The
martyr spirit has not died out in the
earth, and there are those in our
day who stand unafraid before die
tatorS and rulers who would destroy
them because of their loyalty to
Christ. BE not afraid"
2. Not discouraged wv. 15-10.
The one who knows Gods Word
tand every Christian ought to know
IT'D can give answer ". 80 concern
ing his faith. Note that if we are
punished for our own wrongdoing
we may well be depressed, but if
we meet persecution with a clear
/ conscience ". 16) we need feel no
discoura cement.
3. Not alone ". 49,. The path
may be dark and difficult, but one
thing we know. our Leader, Christ,