The rest of our earthly lives

1 Peter 4:1-2
July 23rd 2023, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We are learning about, with what kind of attitude, we should walk the rest of our earthly lives.

The first is to struggle against suffering with the same attitude as the Lord. It is written that we should dare to arm ourselves because there are spiritual struggles in the lives of Christians. Jesus also struggled in the midst of suffering. We should also, with the same attitude, walk our lives as we struggle.

The second is to be done with sin. When we accept suffering correctly through faith and struggle against it, we will be able to break off our relationship with sin. We can then be sanctified.

The third is to live in the will of the Lord. In the past, we were totally self-centered and our own thoughts were all that counted. But ever since we came to know the Lord's love, we have been changed so that we want to do the Lord's will, not our own thoughts. That is a truly blessed walk.

Our earthly life is not eternal, but limited. The remaining time is surely getting shorter. Let us walk each day with the same attitude as the Lord. Let us be sanctified and walk in the will of the Lord!

<The Verse of the Bible>

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

1 Peter 4:2 (NIV)

Through sufferings to the glory

1 Peter 3:19-22
July 16th 2023, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Today's passage also describes the sufferings that Christians undergo. It is a very difficult part to understand, so I explain it first. After that, let us learn three things:

The first is to follow the Lord even if we suffer hardships. Noah and his family believed the Word of God, started the preparation, and told it to the people. But the people refused to believe and disobeyed, while Noah still continued to follow the Lord.

The second is to renew our commitment to the Lord in the midst of suffering. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but a commitment to the Lord by those who have been saved. Our faith tends to waver at times of hardship, but it is the time we must renew our commitment to the Lord.

The third is to remember that it is through suffering that the glory of God is revealed. Jesus suffered and died on the cross as a substitute for humankind. Because of his work of redemption, he is now seated at the right hand of God. We need to remember that suffering is when His glory is manifested.

In times of suffering, we tend to be weak. But it is at that time that our faith is being tested. Let us follow through to the end for the glory of the Lord!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 3:22 (NIV)

Christ turns our suffering into good

1 Peter 3:17-18
July 9th 2023, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We are told that it is good to suffer for doing good for the sake of Christ. Let us learn the reasons for this.

The first is because Christ suffered by doing good. Although He came to save mankind, He suffered a lot. Finally, He suffered and died on the cross. If this is the case with our Savior, we should also suffer for Him.

The second is because it was Christ's suffering that led us to God. Without Christ's suffering and death, we would not have been led to God and saved. It is a blessing to suffer for the sake of our Lord.

The third is because Christ turns our suffering into good and gives us good things. Suffering in the Lord is not a bad thing. God makes everything good and gives us blessings even through suffering. Even more, there are blessings that come only through suffering.

When we suffer, we tend to grumble and worry. But let us overcome it in faith in the Lord, remembering that it is good for righteousness!

<The Verse of the Bible>

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:17 (NIV)