- Reproof is good for us, because it shows that God cares for us. When He reproves us, it is because He wants to approve us next time. God disciplines us for our benefit, so that we may participate in His holiness, because He always reproves us so that we may depend totally on His life. No one likes reproof. It is not a moment of joy, but it will produce fruits of righteousness. If we have been mistreated, in the name of Christ, we should rejoice (Heb. 12:5-16).
- Peter speaks of the spirit of glory, because if we suffer, the spirit of glory will rest upon us. It is not suffering as an evildoer, doing evil. We are not gossipers. We do not talk about things that do not concern us, gossiping, talking about brothers and sisters, observing others, watching, judging. We are not going to meddle in other people’s affairs. We are going to let life transform us (1 Pet. 4:13-16).
- Peter reveals that God, because He loves us, allows us to go through suffering and persecution until we reach complete salvation. God needs to judge us first. If He did not judge the church, how would He have a basis for judging the world? We would prefer that God judge us today, showing us that we are on the wrong path and leading us to the right path. If He is going to reprove, it is better to reprove today so that we can be corrected immediately. If the world practices evil, nothing will go unpunished. God is a righteous judge. Judgment aims to make us more obedient to Him, more obedient to the word (1 Pet. 4:17-19).
- The power is to execute the Lord’s will. Christ is both God’s wisdom to plan and His power to execute. God’s work is executed by Christ, who is the Word of life, and Christ’s power is in the word. If the word does not work, it is not of God; if it works, it is of the Lord (Daily Food, Book 1, Friday, p. 33).
Did you know that we also have kids’ immersion? Click here to do it with your child: KIDS IMMERSION