Note for 20250210 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 67 - 1 Peter 5 - Filthy Lucre
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
According to Peter
Read Through The Bible
“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan
Day 086
Joshua 16 to 18
Part 67 - 1 Peter 5 - Filthy Lucre
The Audio Version of today’s note is available at: https://on.soundcloud.com/aXn3sQr4HavBcniW6
1 Peter 5:1-14 KJV
[1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: [2] feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. [5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. [13] The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. [14] Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.1-14.KJV
Note for 20250210
Filthy lucre is dishonest gain. While the meaning of the words may easily be found, understanding can take a little more time. It is somewhat like knowing that people are laid to rest when the body fails, but the loss of it is only learned in truth when it is someone you would rather not have lost. So often, in hearing a definition, we think we understand because we have heard the definition, but the truth of it is known by experience or true revelation by GOD that can tug at the heart strings and confound the mind. Because of this, much of the lessons in the Word of GOD may be understood one way by consideration of the carnal mind, but when it comes in truth, then our foundations are shaken and the eyes give up their moisture.
Friends, what is gain? What can be gained? Yes, it is true, things like money and gifts, but what about fame and respect? What is it then to project yourself one way to others, but in the heart stand in hate? What is the worth of an embrace of apparent compassion, when the truth in us is of hate? This becomes even more complex, when the soul may be loved, but the deeds repel. Should the truth not be declared for the sake of the soul?
Peter speaks somewhat to this fact when he speaks to the elders of the church, and the most profound of it for me is contained in this verse.
1 Peter 5:3 KJV
[3] neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.3.KJV
I might not be the eldest, but I am by reason of age, experience and faith an elder indeed. Like Peter admitting that he too is an elder, he speaks to the elders here in this chapter first, that we should lead by example. When the words say one thing and the deeds show another thing, then we have become hypocrites. Filthy lucre, for the demand of fame, embarrassed by our walk before Christ. Dishonest gain, by identifying as an elder, when our walk with Christ is that of a baby, crying for everything we want and for others to bring it to grasp.
This however does not just apply to one age group within the church. For the same is true if you pretend to be someone that you are not in truth. Many projects may be on the way, when in truth they are swimming in mud pools all week long, washing only for church or when the Pastor walks in. Whitewashed stones, showing a pretense of sanctity on the outside, having dead bones within.
Now, you may ask me how this applies to all. If the truth of you are not known, how are your brothers and sisters in the Faith supposed to help? We walk in a stance of "all is fine," when in truth, our house might be collapsing at the foundation. Look at verses 9 and 10, we know that all suffer the afflictions of the world and that perfection only comes after we have suffered a little while. You and I know that the little while might seem like an entire lifetime, going through it, and indeed it might be because of the prowling lion. Peter says it so beautifully when he says we should be subject one to the other, for in subjection we learn about humility. And if then called for in the church, would it not be called for in the house?
Friends, let me assure you, that upset in the home and church comes about when others do not meet your expectations. Are they called for your purpose, or you for a servitude before others? Love is a giving thing, for others to receive. Humility is to lower yourself for the sake of others. It requires effort and restraint in self control, but receiving is to be honoured, it is sweet in the mouth, but it can become bitter within, when that leads to a false sense of entitlement. To receive is a blessing, but to give is to obey the Word of GOD. In servitude to Christ, we do to others what we would do for Him if he was here. And if Christ is in us, is He not in others? Can you remember your own suffering, then have compassion for those that suffer still. There is a president for that in the Law of Moses regarding the stranger and the slave, when GOD reminds Israel who they were in Egypt from where He delivered them with a mighty hand and strong arm.
In times past we ourselves were in the clutches of sin and death, fearing the termination of our life here on earth. But now, having our Great Hope in Jesus Christ unto eternal life, the fear of it is gone, replaced by the peace of GOD. In Christ we have found rest from such troubling thoughts. But he is still struggling, still in fear for his life in the midst of all his trouble, who did Jesus send unto him? Is it not you that Christ has freed from such concerns? Not everyone understands that we must walk the road ahead of us, regardless of the troubles on the way, with Christ strengthening us; they think that they will magically be taken out of this world. In Christ we receive the strength to walk the road we must, and to overcome with Him. In error some think that the trouble will be taken away. We are to be overcomers, aren't we? We'll whole you are still young in the faith your understanding of salvation might still be in error of expectation. For such the faith soon fades when they are left in this world to run the race of life right through it, never being told or shown that it is in Christ that victory comes. If you are in a deep dark pit, you might just have to climb all the way out of it. Yes, that means to overcome bad habits and walk out of addictions. Did we climb out in one day? Neither should we expect the young to be okay immediately, just because we are standing on the edge looking down on them. I'm some way then, we are still with them in the put if that is our expectation, for then we still have our own error to overcome. In this example, then see it like this. If then in submission to one another, in humility; can all of us work together to help each other out of the pit? Lend a helping hand, so that hand may be freed up also to help you in a time of need when you fall. Have you not read that GOD resists the proud? Or that pride comes before a fall?
What is neighbourly love? What is a brother or even a friend that is closer than a brother? It is those who are near in a time of trouble; then, be near to one another.
Selah, Shalom.
GOD bless and keep you. Amen
(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio Version of the Daily Notes)
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App on 20250212 (Expanded from verse 28)
Luke 6:27-28 KJV
[27] But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.6.27-28.KJV
Verse from 20250210 (Expanded from verse 3)
Isaiah 26:2-5 KJV
[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. [3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: [5] for he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.26.2-5.KJV
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