jchillCNU

vs.3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV) God's power. Not mine. "guarded through faith" does this mean that we will be guarded while we hold onto faith or that faith is the means of our protection? If God has "caused us to be born again" (verse 3) then i would suggests that faith is the means God has chosen to use. So God's part in my salvation is to will it (God the father), earn it (Jesus), and carry it out (Holy Spirit). My part is to believe and act like it.

Q1. (1:1) How would you describe the behavior of a Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one? Have you ever caught yourself doing this? What has to happen to get our spiritual priorities straight? Well the behavior is that of the Pharisee who fasted with hopes of gaining praise from men. Jesus said he would get it, but that would be the extent of his reward. (Matt 6:16-18). Placing our hope/identity in our present homeland is the same as saying, "this is as good as it gets." Oh you better believe i've done this. My "hope in glory" has been pushed aside by my desire to be comfortable in this life too many times. Well priorities have gotta be set straight. Through repentance and change encouraged by God.

My name's Jeff. I'm a college student out in Va. Looking forward to the study.