HOPE IN THE MIDST OF TEMPTATION (2 OF 14)
Scripture: I PETER 1:13-21
This content is part of a series.
Hope in the Midst of Temptation (2 of 14)
A People of Hope Series
David Cawston
I Peter 1:13-21
Introduction:
Wouldn't it be wonderful if God could save us, and then within a matter of seconds, take us on to Glory?
We would never have to suffer any temptation.
We would never have to battle with the flesh.
We would never have the possibility of messing up our lives.
Since that is not an option, and since it's clearly God's preference that we prove ourselves blameless and innocent above reproach, we obviously have to follow God's route and God's plan. Temptation is part of God's plan -- but God in His infinite wisdom has deliberately left us on this earth. He has sovereignty has chosen to give many of us more years in Christ than out of Christ – many more years to live for him.
Philippians 2:15:
"...in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..."
Ray Stedman, a great pastor in the bay area who has gone to be with Christ, said: "Crooked and perverse simply means that we are left in a world of crooks and perverts."
God left us in this kind of world for a purpose! In fact, just minutes before Jesus' arrest and His ultimate death on the cross, He prayed this for His disciples in John 17:14-15:
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one."
He has left us in this world on purpose and for His purpose.
The word "world" here is the word "cosmos" in the Greek. He is not talking about the physical planet named earth. He is talking about a philosophy that envelops earthlings. It is not a place, but a system – a system that finds its origin in the enemy himself. It is a figure of speech that summarizes the mindset and morality of unregenerate people. It's what John wrote in his epistle in 1 Jo ...
A People of Hope Series
David Cawston
I Peter 1:13-21
Introduction:
Wouldn't it be wonderful if God could save us, and then within a matter of seconds, take us on to Glory?
We would never have to suffer any temptation.
We would never have to battle with the flesh.
We would never have the possibility of messing up our lives.
Since that is not an option, and since it's clearly God's preference that we prove ourselves blameless and innocent above reproach, we obviously have to follow God's route and God's plan. Temptation is part of God's plan -- but God in His infinite wisdom has deliberately left us on this earth. He has sovereignty has chosen to give many of us more years in Christ than out of Christ – many more years to live for him.
Philippians 2:15:
"...in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..."
Ray Stedman, a great pastor in the bay area who has gone to be with Christ, said: "Crooked and perverse simply means that we are left in a world of crooks and perverts."
God left us in this kind of world for a purpose! In fact, just minutes before Jesus' arrest and His ultimate death on the cross, He prayed this for His disciples in John 17:14-15:
"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one."
He has left us in this world on purpose and for His purpose.
The word "world" here is the word "cosmos" in the Greek. He is not talking about the physical planet named earth. He is talking about a philosophy that envelops earthlings. It is not a place, but a system – a system that finds its origin in the enemy himself. It is a figure of speech that summarizes the mindset and morality of unregenerate people. It's what John wrote in his epistle in 1 Jo ...
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