sunilbernard

Q1. (2:21) According to 2:21, in what sense did Jesus suffer for you personally? He suffered for me so that my position could be exchanged. He became sin so that I, who am a sinner could become one with Him on the cross and thereby come out victorious through even as He came out victorious over sin and death on the cross. His suffering makes me to treat suffering as a privilege to bear for His name's sake.

Q5. (2:12) How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? Good deeds are deeds which give God the glory and not necessarily good in the sight of men. Our good deeds as Christians are seen as being influenced by the living Christ in us. Non-Christians see the actions as indeed the work of Christ in us, thus giving God the due glory and honor. Whereas if we compromise with thier style of living and live lives that are not different than theirs, the Non-Christians see no difference in life styles and thus are not inclined to accept God and His divine code of conduct. Conclusively, God is not honored and respected by our living.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? First, Peter reminds us that we are just pilgrims on our way to heaven. This earth and all its comforts are not ours in any way. Conformity to any of these earthly things is at loggerheads with Christian values. These bodies of ours will perish but the soul lives on. Earthly desires and **** will cater to the physical body but the soul is weakened. Avoiding all these rubbish will strengthen the soul which is eternal. We should never trust the devil and his lies. Christ the ultimate victor will give rewards in heaven with all its treasures. Better to lay up treasures in heaven than bask in the devils goodies here.

Q3. (2:9) What actions and attitudes should this idea of being part of God's own people inspire in us? Being God's own people should being us closer to one another in agape love. Knit together in love and companionship. It gives us the Royalty Badge together with heart of love and compassion. When we have that kind of heart, naturally the actions speak louder than words. Retribution changes to service. Revenge changes to love. Haughtiness changes to humility. 'Care not' attitude changes to 'care for'. What a lovely way to serve the Lord by serving humanity. That's what counts in the day of judgment.

Q2. (2:5) If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? Praise is given to somebody for something done for us. God, who gave His only Son for us to save us deserves the best that we can give. Our praise should come from the heart, not from the lips. Our sacrifice of praise should cost us something. We should not give what came freely to us. Our praise should belong only to God through Jesus. Our praise should include fruits of our life and witness. As the Psalmist puts it, His praise should be continually in our mouth.

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? Priests are people chosen by God for His own service. They are mediators acting on behalf of the people in making their requests and sacrifices known to God. A Priest, thus is a person who is an interlink between God and Man. His job is to exchange communication both ways. He is not to do any other business. When we see these characteristics of a priest and compare them to ourselves as Peter does in vs 9, what great privilege for us to act as Ambassadors for the Almighty God. Its such a great and wonderful responsibility. We, who were treated as dirt, now find ourselves in the royal palace and hiers to the throne. Its like a rags to riches story. Only that its not a story but a reality that we have to face in our real lives and live accordingly.

Q4. (2:21-23) How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? Jesus Christ's utmost sacrifice is above comparison. Nobody ever did that kind of sacrifice for anyone. When that kind of behaviour is before us, how can we ignore it when He told us to be like Him in longsuffering! If we are truly what we call ourselves, then there is no question of regret or remorse when suffering for His name's sake. Emulating Christ's behaviour is the utmost for a Christian. There should be no second thoughts about it. The pattern set for us is quite clear. Give God the preeminance in our lives. Love everyone as Jesus loved us. In face of trials and tribulations, bear patiently for the reward that is going to be given to us later in Heaven. Live in constant fear and reverence for God. Encourage each other and lift up the fallen. Above all, love Jesus.

Q3. (2:18-20) How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? Jesus Himself said to turn the other cheek. That is as far as your physical realm is concerned. Injustice is always present in our workplaces. As Christian workers we are supposed to face everything as Christ would like us to do. It is an indirect way of testimony. Christian way of life in everyday circumstances definitely affects people the positive way. Our Master Himself suffered for the unjust. When that kind of supreme sacrifice is before us, how can we dare to complain of petty cirumstances in our daily life. Prolonged unfair treatment affects the mind and turns us aggressive and desperate. But if we think of Christ constantly and His unfair death on the cross, perhaps the present treatment meted to us will pale before that. But we are humans and it is difficult not to react in some way to prolonged mistreatment.

Q2. (2:18) If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? God has given us a place in society. Whether as a Master or a slave, a Christian should behave according to the position he is in. Responsibilities should be fulfilled to the full extent. Then only God is glorified. When we fail to impart our duties, firstly God is dishonored as we fail to recognise and treat accordingly the authorities placed over us. Secondly, the masters are unhappy at our shoddy efforts in doing our jobs and they will revile us. This leads to the position of God being reviled because of us.

Q1. (2:15-16) In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? God has made us in His own image to reflect his characteristics. When we sincerely live our lives according to His characteristics, His name is glorified. If we do not do that He is diishonored. As commanded by God we should be submissive to all authorities as He has placed them in that position for law and order purposes here on earth. When everyone does his job wilfully and obediently, then there is peace in the land and God is glorified. But if we, as Christians, live our lives in an arrogant style, then Christ is dishonored because we bear His name. God is hurt in the process.

Q4. (1:18-19) Have you ever felt you were of no worth or of no value? What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about your worth? What does it say about God's love for you? What does it indicate about the long-term value of your balance sheet and financial assets? What are your true long-term investments? Why? Satan sometimes decieves me into thinking that my life is of no value, but immediately the Holy Spirit reminds me that I am a child of the most high God and that makes me of immense value. My worth is immeasurable because I have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus and not by money or precious gems etc. As the price for my life has been paid by the Savior, my balance sheet tilts in His favor. My assets are of no value and my righteousness is of no consequence. As long as I am obedient unto Him, and serve Him diligently, I am secure in Him and my time, my talents, in fact my everything is used by Him for His glory. All of my being is being invested for His glory. I expect rewards in heaven for my labors, because He has promised it.

Q3. (1:17) Why are people in our culture so upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else? How do you reconcile final judgment with God's love for the world? Why must final judgment be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ? What happens to the Gospel when final judgment is left out or ignored? Nobody likes criticisms. That is speaking about ordinary people. Everybody thinks that he is right. When his views are challenged, naturally, he gets upset. God's love is inexhaustible and uncomparable. It was due to His love for His creation that made Him send His Son to die for the sins of mankind. Lovingly He chastises His children for their wrongdoing and brings them back into His fold so that His final judgement will exonerate them. But inspite of His loving chastisement, some willingly and stubbornly ignore His love. That kind of stubbornness calls for final judgement. Good News of Jesus is Salvation for mankind, if he accepts it. If he rejects it, he condemns himself to his eternal doom. God's love is not conditional love. Even without we asking for it, He gave us the free gift of salvation. If we choose to ignore it, then there must be the result for it. That is why the implied fear of final judgment should be the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When the final judement is left out, the gospel loses its potency. It is taken for granted, like a worthless free gift.

Q2. (1:15-16) In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Holiness is the most important character of God. Nothing can compare to His holiness. It is a state of perpetual living. God, in his all emcompasing kindness has made us holy by the wahing of our sins by His precious blood. Thereby, declaring us holy, set apart for His service and sanctified for His use. My part in being holy is accepting and believing that God made me holy by His atoning work of the cross and living to justify His love for me. My biggest struggle is keeping in constant touch with the Master and keeping my steps in His footsteps.

Undivided attention should be on meeting Christ face to face with holiness. After sacrficing himself on the cross to wash us clean with His blood, He excpects us to meet Him in all holiness. Otherwise we cannot face Him or come anywhere near Him. This holiness will inspire in us a hope that the future with Christ will be a blessed one as He has promised special blessings upon His revelation. Salvation's work, started here on earth, will be finished when a Christian enters His presence. Crown of glory is promised to those who faithfully finish the race. Christ will be seen in all His glorious majesty. To be able to meet him (Christ) when He comes back requires a standard that is to be aquired. To reach those standards, our lives should be in total control of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit directs our lives, there is no confusion in our way of lilfe. Every sphere of our life will be balanced and in tune with His teaching When we don't expect Christ to come soon, lethargy sets in. We become sloppy and fruitless in our Christian lives.

Q5. (1:8-9) According to 1 Peter 1:8-9, what is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? How does this joy interplay with human emotions? Is it essentially emotional? How does it differ from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? Extra Credit: How can you tell the genuine article of joy from the counterfeit? Believing that Jesus is my Savior and that He has forgiven me and granted me the prvilige of being called His child. That is the basis of the spiritual joy that comes from within and is not based on outward emotions and is inexpresiible glorious. The well being of the human spirit shows in its outward emotions. Naturally, when the inward self is bubbling with joy, it shows on the face. Pursuit of happiness is when we go out to get 'happy' by outside inputs. Whereas, Christian joy is based inside the spirit. We need not go anywhere to get happy as we are 'already' happy within. Genuine happiness will last long and forever whereas happiness got from outside will last for a few seconds/minutes, not more than that.

Q4. (1:6-7) Can you remember any instances in which God used difficult circumstances to refine and purify your faith? What did God accomplish in your life? How, exactly, does genuine, tested faith bring glory to Jesus? Many instances, mainly financial, are there in which God led us through, as if through fire. Those trying circumstances made me competely turn to Him for solutions. In the process, He strengthened our faith in Him in making our paths straight solving our problems. The test was to see if we hold on to Him. We held on to him and came out shining. Praise be to Him. Faith, when it is under testing, proves to be a very close and meticulous affair with our Saviour. We don't have any shackles to hold on to. No snow tires to prevent skidding. No parachute to soften our fall. Its just like instrument landing that the pilot uses when the circumstances are completely negative. He just looks at the dials and meters in the cockpit and lands the plane. Its the same. When the whole process is over and we come out shining as pure gold, we don't need to look anywhere or to anybody to thank. Because Jesus was at the controls and led us through the stifling process without any scratch to us. So naturally, all the credit goes to Him and all glory belongs to Him. Sunil Bernard

God's part is protecting us according to His promise. And we know that His promises are true and never failing. God will surely protect us through our faith in Him. My part is to trust His promises and depend on His word to follow through until His coming back to recieve me in all His glory Sunil Bernard

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) Forgiveness is experienced by accepting it. It is not a promisory note that one can redeem at any time. Jesus promised in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess and accept Him, He is faithful to do His part. It is dual transaction that cannot be done without the other. Those two attributes do not exist without the other. That's why they come as a package. If we think that we can get away with the forgiveness of our sins and then go gallavanting our own ways, Jesus will say, nothing doing. Grace is unmerited favor as we all know. When Jesus shows His grace upon us and bestows God's gift upon us, it shows that we need not do anything but just accept it by faith and in obedience, accept it. Accepting the forgivess of our sins is not done by any manual labour from our part. So there are no works of ours involved in it. May we be true to the calling with which He has called us and prove to be His faithful servants. Sunil Bernard

Hi, I am Sunil Bernard. I would like to add that a Christian who is more interested in this material world does not belong to the Kindom of the Lord. A Christian should be targetting his sight into the future life with Jesus in heaven. If he is not, then his focal point should be adjusted and he should think more on the heavenlies than on the earthlies. By fixing his eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, can he overcome the shortsight of looking at the material aspect of life. This life has plenty of problems to divert our attention. But if we throw those problems into the bosom of our loving Lord and tend to lead a carefree life, then we can really attend to spiritual problems of our life and grow spiritually. Sometimes, the material/physical aspect of life grows huge and monstrous. But if we refuse to be grabbed by them and instead allow Jesus to handle them, we are all the more free to grow in Him. To allow this to happen, our priorities should be correct. That is, according to Math. 6:33, seek first the kingdom of God, and all these other things will follow surely as the day follows night. In other words, allow ourselves to be led to by Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Let Him control our life. Then automatically, all things fall into place.

While Jesus was on earth, John had Jesus as a Teacher, friend, leader, guide etc. i.e. a normal person. But now he sees Jesus as a glorified being, full of wisdom, power, & energy. The graphic description from verses 12-15 speak a lot about His glory. Completely different from the picture John had of Jesus while on earth. Complete contrast from a Carpenter/Teacher to a glorified being. Having experienced the two states, of living, Jesus is sure to make us also like Him, according to His promise in John 14:3. He is going to keep us with Him and share His glory. The Church need not fear anything from this world. Whatever trials and tribulations the church faces now, are just temporary and soon the Bridegroom will come and receive His Bride (church) to be with Him. What a great future for the church.

Jesus among the Lampstands. i.e., Christ among the Churches. His early ministry while on earth was of establishing the Kingdom of God through the work of Salvation. that part is over. Now He is among the churches, His right hand holding the stars (angels). Angels are our designated gaurdians(keepers - security) His right hand is holding the security of the churches. While on the earth, He taught and established His Base (Kingdom of God) and now He is taking care that the churches (Kingdom of God) do not perish. That they grow from strength to strength. The security of the churches are in His right hand. According to His word, he is faithful. The One who started the good work will be faithful till He finishes it. What a great picture of security. Amidst the threat of persecution, tempations of materialism etc., He is there to see His church through. Lampstands are a source of light, i.e., the churches are a source of light unto the world. In other words, the churches are to witness and thier sole business is to show the light of the gospel through witnessing. So the picture here is Jesus is standing among the church, telling the church at large that it has to go about its business of witnsessing and spreading the light. He, on His part assures that He will take care of the security aspect, which is in His right hand.

Question No.1... Testimony and Witnessing are inherent principles of Christian growth. When a church is persecuted, it never dies, but grows strong. It is a paradox but true. Looking at the courageous acts of the Holy Spirit alone in the lives of believers and witnessing about them to others who have not seen then, instills a sense of confidence and strength in them. Jesus is the faithful witness of all things that we as believers do. And He testifies about them to the Father in Heaven. In this we find encouragement that we have an Advocate who pleads and testifies for and on behalf of us. In turn the Father bestows on us His benevolence. Why are we afraid to testify....? Reasons are aplenty. First is fear of rejection by peers. Second is lack of knowledge of the Holy Spirit's functions in our lives. We are supposed to draw power from the Holy Spirit and work with that power. We lack the desire to draw the power and instead live like Couch Potato Christians. Question No.2. The Father - Everlasting - Beginning to End - The Omniscient God- Forever everywhere, all the time. Jesus is the firstborn among the dead, who was raised and lives forever. The Father never died, but the Son died and rose as the firstborn from the dead. Question No. 3. In Muslim and Hindu Countries, mainly. Revelation is the forerunner for all tribulations to come in the end days. So for those who are being persecuted, this is a forerunner of things to come. Being persecuted now will strengthen witnesses, testifying for the glory of the LORD.