Monthly Archives: January 2021

CONNECTED!

January 21, 2021Bible Studygreet one another, stand fast, the true grace of GodLuella Campbell

CONNECTED!

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (1 Peter 5: 12-14)

Is this writer the same rough and ready fisherman who put his foot in his mouth every time he opened it? What a long way Peter has come since the days when he walked with Jesus on earth!

As we have moved through this letter, we couldn’t help feeling that there was a strong connection between Peter and Paul. So many of his thoughts and expressions echoed Paul’s that it was almost as though they had spent hours together honing their understanding of the gospel entrusted to them. We know that Peter had read many of Paul’s letters because he mentioned them in his second letter.

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3: 15-16)

After his initial suspicion, Peter had a high regard for Paul. Whether or not they actually spent time together, he was able to read his letters which he regarded as inspired, putting them in the same category as ‘the other Scriptures’.

Silas, if he was the same Silas who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey, was also a link. We have no idea how Silas came to be with Peter when he wrote this letter. Was he Peter’s scribe? Did he help Peter to form his ideas in the Greek language which was not Peter’s first language? Scholars have noted that Peter’s Greek is the most complicated of all the New Testament writers. Where did he learn to write Greek like that?

And what about Mark whom he also mentioned in his final greeting? He called him ‘my son’, obviously indicating a very close association with him. Mark’s Gospel is based, according to New Testament scholarship, on Peter’s preaching which Mark may have recorded or he may have had access to Peter’s written notes, upon which Matthew and Luke based their gospels.

All of these clues point to an interconnection between the leaders in the early church. This is remarkable, considering that there was no technology to keep them in touch, and that they ministered to groups of people across the Roman Empire which spanned the whole Mediterranean area, without the luxury of motorised vehicles or air travel. They had to get around by ship or on foot and letters were delivered by hand, not even by ‘snail mail’!

Who was the ‘she’ and where was ‘Babylon’? ‘She’ could have been any prominent and well-known Christian woman or even a group of believers who resided in ‘Babylon’ and who were known to Peter’s readers. Why did he not mention her name or identify them? We don’t know. It may have been for security reasons.

Where was ‘Babylon’? Was it a cryptic title for Rome? The ancient city of Babylon no longer existed at that time. Did the spiritual leaders of that day already recognise in Rome some of the characteristics of the city of Babylon where God’s ancient people had suffered under Babylonian captivity? The church was, in a sense, in captivity as well because of persecution at the hands of Roman rulers.

‘Babylon’ in the book of Revelation is a pseudonym for the counterfeit church or the bride, the scarlet woman, the great prostitute who was a counterfeit of the bride of Christ. The church was in the world just like the Jews were in Babylon, and even there, God protected them and restored them to their own land.

Whatever Peter meant by his words, we are comforted to know that God protects His church in the midst of the pain and suffering we experience as part of this world system. He will rescue and restore His people to their own ‘land’; the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He returns to restore everything to its original purpose.

STAND AND RESIST

January 20, 2021Bible Studyalert, mind, of sober resist himLuella Campbell

STAND AND RESIST

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5: 8-11)

‘Spiritual warfare’ is a very current topic in the Christian world. There are all kinds of weird and wonderful teachings around regarding spiritual warfare; we have international prayer movements that teach and write about spiritual warfare; we even have people who regard themselves as specialists on spiritual warfare – generals, they are sometimes called!

But what is ‘spiritual warfare’ if there is such a thing in the Bible?

Unfortunately, many of the ideas about so-called ‘spiritual warfare’ are gleaned from the Old Testament – things like identifying ‘Jezebel’ and other kinds of spirits, identifying principalities and powers and pulling down strongholds, doing Jericho marches and prayer walks, dealing with gates and altars etc., etc. We have to ask, ‘How legitimate is this way of dealing with the devil? Is this the teaching of the New Testament?’

Both Peter and Paul did not deny the existence or the activity of Satan. He is powerfully at work in the world through unbelieving people. But what power or influence does he have in the lives of believers and how do we deal with him and his minions?

Firstly, for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He rose from the dead and who live by the truth, Satan has lost the power to deceive. Jesus exposed and defeated him through the cross (Col 2: 15) If not, then He died in vain. When He cried out, ‘It is finished!’ He meant it. Believers have been ‘rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought (us) into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.’ (Col 1:13, 14)

As long as we believe and live by the truth, he has no power to touch our lives any longer. The only power he has is the power we give him when we believe his lies and open ourselves to his influence. We are immune from his wicked schemes. So, what does he do? He tries to trick us into believing that he still has the power to harm us. Peter and Paul’s answer to his lies? Stand! Stand! Stand in the truth! Don’t fall for his lies. Don’t believe what he insinuates. Resist him by submitting to God and standing firm in the faith.

It is true that our struggle is against principalities and powers, not human beings. They are the agents through which the devil works. It is true that the devil is always trying to destroy us, like a roaring lion on the prowl for prey but, as long as we are aware of what he is up to, and do not allow him to lure us into his ways, we have nothing to fear. We are protected by the power of God’s name. (John 17: 11)

But what about so-called “warfare” against the devil in the world? Are we not supposed to engage the enemy on behalf of the lost? Yes, we are, but not in the way that it is being done. We must take our pattern from the New, not the Old Testament. It is not the so-called spiritual warfare prayers that rescue people from their wicked ways but the power of the truth.

The city of Ephesus is a case in point. When Paul went to Ephesus, it was the seat of the worship of the many-breasted goddess Diana, or Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, of wild creatures and of birthing. She was called ‘great’ to distinguish her from all other lesser goddesses of the same name. She had the attributes of Ashteroth, the female counterpart of Baal.

How did Paul deal with Diana-worship? Did he lead prayer marches around the city? Did he hold prayer meetings to discern the identity of the principalities and powers over Ephesus and pray ‘powerful’ prayers to pull down strongholds? Did he pray at the gates of the city? No, he did none of these things. He preached Jesus. And the result? People turned to the Lord; they burnt their books on witchcraft; Diana lost her power and the silversmiths, led by Demetrius, lost their business and set off a riot against Paul.

Jesus told His disciples at Caesarea Philippi, the ‘red light district’ of Israel, where Pan was worshipped by people having sex with goats, that there where the devil’s practices were rife, He would build His church and not even hell itself would be able to withstand it. How would He do that? By placing His yoke, His way of understanding and applying God’s teachings, on the very people whose yoke was the yoke of Satan.

Come on, people of God. Let’s get real. Let the Bible teach you, not those who have invented their own theories and now consider themselves experts. We do not need to be taught how to do spiritual warfare. Every time we obey the word of God and live by the truth, we defeat the devil. Every time we share the message of Jesus and someone turns to the Lord, he loses another battle.

If we spent as much time sharing our faith with others by our lives and lips instead of learning how to do spiritual warfare and engaging in these futile activities, the kingdom of God would be advanced more powerfully than it is advancing right now.

THE SHEPHERD OF SHEPHERDS

January 19, 2021Bible Studychief Shepherd, humble, submitLuella Campbell

THE SHEPHERD OF SHEPHERDS

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe, yourselves with humility toward one another because

‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5: 4-7)

Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd, He is also the Chief Shepherd. That means that He is the Shepherd of all shepherds.

Shepherds need a Shepherd just as much as the sheep do. Those who are called to lead are not only accountable to the Chief Shepherd for the sheep with which they are entrusted. They also need a model and a mentor for the responsible task that is theirs. Jesus is both the Good Shepherd to the sheep and the Chief Shepherd to those who are called to care for the sheep.

God had an issue with the shepherds of His ancient people because they failed to fulfil their calling to care for the sheep. Instead they exploited them for their own benefit. Did Peter have these words in mind when he wrote to God’s people?

The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? . . . You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. . .’ (Ezek. 34: 1, 2, 4)

What an indictment against the leaders of God’s people! And yet there are spiritual leaders today who are no different from those who received God’s judgment in Ezekiel’s day.

Peter’s strong counsel is, ‘Don’t do it! You are accountable to the Chief Shepherd for the way you lead His flock.’ Peter himself had received the mandate from the mouth of Jesus: ‘Feed my sheep; tend my lambs; take care of my flock.’

For both Peter and Paul there was the anticipation of a reward for fulfilling their calling. Paul’s crown was a crown of righteousness:

For I am ready to be poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. (2 Tim. 4: 6-8)

Peter’s crown was an indestructible crown of glory:

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5: 4)

To the flock he wrote: Be humble and submit to your leaders. In this way the unity of the flock will be maintained. There is no place in the company of God’s people for a democratic attitude or for rebels or loners. Harmony is the way of unity. Mutual submission produces harmony when authority is respected and everyone is willing to submit to each other for the common good.

How does one learn to submit? By casting one’s anxieties on God. Whatever your issues, don’t beat the other sheep with them. Roll them onto God and at the right time He will vindicate you.

Cast you cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psa. 55: 22)

LOWLY LEADERS!

January 18, 2021Bible Studyeager to serve, elders, ShepherdsLuella Campbell

LOWLY LEADERS!

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under you care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5: 1-3)

What a lofty standard for God’s appointed leaders! Yet how paradoxical! Leaders must take the lowest position – that of servants, like shepherds caring for a flock of sheep.

What’s the basis of such a standard? Jesus! Peter watched him die. It was a flashback he would never forget. A bloodied figure hanging from a Roman torture stake so disfigured that He was hardly recognisable as a man. Like hamburger meat skewered on a pole; that’s how one translation pictures Him.

. . . His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form beyond human likeness. . . (Isa. 52: 13)

That’s what they did to Him and not once did He protest or resist.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. (Isa. 53: 7)

So, where does the idea come from that church leaders must be a cut above everyone else? Swanky limousines, richly embroidered robes or designer suits, unlisted telephone numbers, even bodyguards, no less; titles they love to wear to boost their egos and give them authority! Is that how shepherds care for their sheep? Jesus said, ‘Don’t do it! You are to care for your sheep, not boss them around.’

Another flashback – a scene on the shore of Lake Galilee. Twelve men sitting around a coal fire eating breakfast. One is missing – he committed suicide. One hangs back, uncertain and ashamed. ‘Am I still accepted as part of this bunch?’ Breakfast over, Jesus talks to Peter while the others listen in. They may not have verbally denied Him at His trial but they were equally guilty of desertion. What will He say to Peter? Whatever He said would apply to them also.

Imagine their shock! ‘Simon, son of John . . .’ Not Peter, the rock, but Simon, one who hears, or listens. ‘Simon, are you listening?’ Yes, Lord, I’m listening. ‘Simon, do you love me?’ What! After all I’ve done to you, Jesus, is that all you have to say? Do I love you? Wait a minute! There’s a world of significance in that simple question.

Love is the basis of loyalty, trust, faithfulness, submission, obedience, commitment, perseverance, service, yes and even martyrdom – and Peter, your turn is coming.

Peter, do you really love me? If you do, feed my sheep and take care of my lambs. I am not giving you a position. I am giving you a commission. FEED my sheep; TAKE CARE of my lambs. That means that you have to shed your fancy clothes and your even fancier image of yourself and get down and dirty for my sake. They are my sheep and my lambs, not yours to bully and exploit for your own ends.

The standard is the same for every leader who follows after Peter – not little popes to rule over God’s people, but under-shepherds of Jesus to serve Him by caring for His sheep. This is not for opportunistic rogues who grab the position to enrich themselves at the expense of their underlings or to elevate themselves above others for image or status. This is a calling of God to be like Jesus to helpless people who depend on them for protection, provision and instruction so that they do not wander away and get lost.

Oh, that every leader who claims to be God’s shepherd would heed Peter’s words! What a sad day it will be for those who forget that they are accountable to God for every word and deed. How many of those who have enjoyed all the benefits of their treachery will hear the words of Jesus:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)?

TAKE IT ON THE NOSE!

January 17, 2021Bible Studycriminal., judgement, sufferLuella Campbell

TAKE IT ON THE NOSE!

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?

And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:15-19)

Suffering in this life is inevitable. It is unfortunately the lot of Adam’s descendants in a fallen world. Grief, pain, sickness, and loss are all part of the consequences of the ‘Pandora’s box’ released on the world by one man’s disobedience. No one, not even the best of us, escapes.

Suffering comes in many disguises and for many different reasons. Our bodies suffer disease and disabilities because the planet we live on is polluted; we abuse them with drugs, alcohol, gluttony, and sexual promiscuity; we overindulge in bitterness, hatred, rage, jealousy and unforgiveness. The cycle of sin and destruction continues from one generation to the next unless, through God’s grace, we stop the rot and turn the tide in our own lives and the lives of our descendants.

Make no mistake, you will suffer. No one is immune. But . . . Jesus said:

‘I have told you these things so that, in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 16: 33)

‘If you suffer because of sin, you deserve it. You are getting what’s coming to you, so take it on the nose and don’t complain,’ said Peter. However, if you suffer for no fault of your own because you wear the name of Jesus, that’s a whole different ball game.

Something happens inside of us when we understand the purpose of the suffering we go through for no reason other than our allegiance and obedience to Jesus as our Lord. When we believed in Him, through the Holy Spirit we became fused to Him in a union so intimate that we became participants of His life. That means that His very nature became ours – the DNA of God was infused into us. A new disposition and mind-set became possible.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5)

Peter’s instruction throughout this letter is clear: If your are suffering for your confession that Jesus is Lord, take it without retaliating. This is the way to stop the rot. Jesus showed us how it works. He suffered without reciprocating. Whatever they did to Him, however cruel and unjust their treatment of Him, He absorbed it into Himself. Instead of perpetuating it by threats or insults of His own, He remained serene and at peace inside Himself because He knew that it was not His fight.

This kind of attitude is liberating for the person who is at the receiving end. He changes the environment from revenge to forgiveness. He does not add his own sin to the ones who sin against him. He does not react; he responds with a different spirit and, by doing so, exposes the wickedness of those who mistreat him. How can he do this? By stepping back and leaving the vindication to the just Judge.

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Consider this: From where do the insults and cruelty meted out against you originate? From your heart or the heart of the perpetrator? From the perpetrator, of course. He must own the guilt because whatever he says or does against you is a mirror of his own heart. If you say or do nothing to retaliate, you are acknowledging that the guilt is his, not yours. You can remain innocent and free from complicity with him if you receive the abuse without reacting.

By God’s grace you can change the environment and turn the tables on your persecutor by doing as Peter counselled: