STUDIES IN I PETER- PART 31

             July 16, 2006

 

Intro: Ch.5:10- last week looked at 3 of 4 words

Review-

I. “perfect” – a general term for work of sancitification.

II. “establish” – to support, to bring solid footing/stability

   to a believer’s life

   Suggest it refers to “spiritual self-esteem”

III. “strengthen”- to make strong- suggest it refers to

   spiritual autonomy.

 

IV. settle- to found/place a foundation [themelios]-

Thus, to overcome every adverse force-

• Testing is done,not only to reveal weakness, but to

exhibit strength !   This word speaks of laying a foundation

that succeeds in testing.

  SEE II Corinthians 12:9-10  “perfect in weakness” –often

misapplied to asceticism/legalism.  Suffering = spiritual.

Yet, God uses suffering to test us and to advance us toward

maturity.

  Paul lists 4 categories of divine testing:

1) “reproaches” – NIV=insults- this is people testing by

applauses or criticism- I Cor.15:33, Prov.13:20

 

2) “needs” –refers to inward/outward pressures-

Applied as thought testing- Rom.12:2- pressures of

Mental sins including rationalization, Anger, etc.

 

3) “persecutions”- refers to organizational opposition-

groups that seek to direct your life away from God and

biblical doctrine.

   Challenges us to maintain walk & avoid entanglements.

 

4) “distresses”- narrowness of place/circumstance; anguish

this may be viewed as disaster testing—complete failure

of economy, health, vocation.

   Challenges us to focus on Joy of knowing Christ.