Day 355, 21st December Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of Hebrews And 1st Peter.
BE HOLY
Can holiness be attained? Do you consider this instruction the most sacred in the Bible?
Have you ever felt incapacitated by this command. Let's find out together as the Apostle Peter's epistle comes on in this study programme! HEBREWS 131-25
HOSPITALITY AND EMPATHY:-
This chapter admonish us on Christian virtues that play important roles in our daytoday life.
Being hospitable to strangers; “for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” v.2, Empathise with those “in prison and those mistreated because of the injustices in our world as if you yourselves were suffering” v.3
THE MARRIAGE BED
MARRIAGE should be honoured and kept holy pure by both partners. God will judge adultery and any sexually immorality polluting the marriage bed — marriage covenant.
CARE ABOUT YOUR FINANCES, AND ITS ADVANCEMENT? GOD CARES
TOO!
v.5 — Depend on God for your financial advancement, avoid covetousness and “be content with what you have. Believe in this promise of God: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (v.5; Deuteronomy 316).
• Then you could proclaim with confidence that “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me.”v.6; Psalm 118:6,7.
v.9-16
It is a good thing “for our hearts to be strengthened by grace” (v.9b). Avoid all the distractions, heresy and traditions some of these deception come strange teachings or indulgence in ceremonial foods. Seeing we have a superior sacrifice through the blood of Jesus and “are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. (v.14b-15).
Let our sacrifice now be in kindness, good deeds and sharing ; “for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” v.16
ACT KINDLY AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR CLERICS — let it be that they enjoy serving you and delight in their call. (v.17)
• Believers must understand the difference between putting their confidence in their clerics and submission as a divine ordinance.
A REQUEST FOR PRAYERS (v.18-19); This sounds quite like Paul as the author request prayer; and a hope for travel (see v.19). Requesting for prayers is constantly in Apostle Paul’s his letters) but then again this cannot be concluded because he typically addressed Timothy as his dear son unlike (v.23).
v.20-21 GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP ACCESSED for equipping and help —
I also understand that peace is required in the body of Christ —the church at large— then as much as we do now as the peace of God is being invoked by his name (see v.20a)
Finally closing this journal, he informs them Timothy has been released (v.23).
Shares greetings and grace (v.24-25).
The Apostle Peter is thought to have written this epistle shortly before his death in AD 64 during the persecution of Nero (One year chronological Bible pg.1545).
1 PETER 11-25
He wrote this letter to the elects; being exiles scattered in the province of Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (v.1-2)
• During this time (The great Persecution of Nero); some must have fled persecution—able therefore to receive and read this letter, while those who couldn't were attested; in prisoned and some killed.
OUR NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE — Peter praised God for the wonder resurrection affords us “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,” v.4
v.5-12
Our faith will be tried, yet it is in the expression of faith we will overcome grief. Proving our genuineness and authenticity in our faith — in value worth more that gold as Christ is revealed — the result therefore is praise, glory, and honour (v.7)
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (v.8-9)
• What we experience was prophesied, and the prophets to whom times we now live were commanded tried to see. But what to them was futuristic is our reality (v.10-12)
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” v.13
BE HOLY
Do not live in ignorance anymore; “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” v.15 (also see v.16, ref: Leviticus 1144,45, 192)
• Contrary to what many think; for example when they sing, think or talk about holiness they look in the sky, in fact some close their eyes, but holiness is in our act — of kindness, justice, love, mercy, meekness, contentment, truth,
compassion, …..! Therefore attain holiness as a present continuous state of being
LIVE ON EARTH AS FOREIGNERS; love one another deeply know God will judge each of us independent of the other.
Note that our redemption is inestimable; The blood of Jesus Christ is not gold or silver. Therefore, avoid sin (v.17-21).
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” v.22 You have been saved by the word of God. (v23)
“For all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever’ {v.24-25; Isaiah
406-8.}
CHAPTER 21-3
v.1 — Put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. “Know that the Lord is Good (v.3)
NIGHT:
Make a list that remains you that “the Lord is Good” 1 Pt 23. So that you can heartily proclaim this truth! A very timely reflection being year-end.
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Toyin
Make A Comment
Comments (0)