Title: Someone Who Expects a Good Day
Contents
*** One who expects good days / 1 Peter 3:8-12
** Introductory words
1 Peter 3:8-12, “8 Finally, be all of you of one accord, sympathy, love of brotherhood, compassion, and lowliness, 9 repaying no evil for evil or reviling for insult, but rather bless you. To this you have been called, so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 “Therefore, whoever loves life and desires to see good days, keep his tongue from speaking evil, and let his lips speak no lies. 11 Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. 12 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to the supplications of the righteous, but the face of the Lord is on those who do evil.’”
Let me ask you a few questions.
-Are you sure that you are a child of God called by God?
-Have you dealt with the problem of your sins so far?
-Are you sure that if your life ends right now, you can receive Jesus and enter the kingdom of God?
Happy are those who have unquestioned convictions on this question. People who have this kind of faith are called children of God. The text read at this time was written for such children of God. In other words, it teaches the attitude of life that those who become children of God should follow. And along with specific teachings from the Old Testament, he adds a warning saying, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to the supplications of the righteous, but the face of the Lord is toward those who do evil.”
The base of Cyprus (Biblical name, Cyprus) in the Mediterranean Sea is a very important military base. It is said that if you take this island, you can take over the Mediterranean Sea. The Palestinian Liberation Organization was waiting for the day to attack in order to seize Cyprus. As the weather was overcast and heavy rain poured, the attack was carried out on a foggy day, making it difficult to tell the distance.
They were infiltrating the shore in a submersible. It was dark and blurry, so even people close by could not see it. It was such a weather that, no matter how strong the defense, it was never easy to discern an infiltrating enemy. However, they failed to attack properly and were captured. The Cyprus garrison was waiting right before their infiltration.
It was only after they were captured that I realized why they were captured so early. The reason was the radar at the base in Cyprus. It is said that the latest version of the radar could even see the sock stripes of infiltrating enemies.
In today's text, God's eyes, ears, and face are directed toward people. Even in man-made machines, human actions are revealed regardless of light or darkness. How would it be in the sight of God? In the sight of God, our words and actions are revealed as they really are. Not just outward words and actions, but also thoughts. We are living in the presence of Almighty God. One day, when our life on this earth comes to an end, we will be led before God. And the things of your life will be listed openly before God. Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, according to what is written in the books.”
When they appear before God's judgment seat, the happiest people will be those whose sins and transgressions have been forgiven. Romans 4:7-8 says, “Blessed are those whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sins are covered, blessed are those whose sins the Lord will not acknowledge.” How can one's sins and faults be covered by God like this? It is the only way to confess your sins and repent. God has mercy on those who acknowledge and repent of their sins and wash away all their sins. Those who have been washed away from their sins and become children of God must live a life of dignity worthy of it. To keep the dignity of a child of God is to “keep your tongue from speaking evil, and your lips from speaking lies; depart from evil to do good, seek peace and follow it.” Because living like this will keep your life and see a good day when you inherit the kingdom of God. If you are expecting a good day when each of you who hear this word now enjoy eternal life in the kingdom of God, you must keep this word and practice it in your life.
※ If you expect a good day, be careful with your words.
Therefore, if we, Christians, want to keep our faith and see life and good days, we must control our tongue and be careful with our words. Let us say words of thanks, encouragement, comfort, and help during our short days. He said that just as sweet and bitter water cannot come from the same well, so the words that praise God and the dirty words that curse, count, and hate people cannot both come out of the same mouth. The less you say, the fewer mistakes you make.
※ If you expect a good day, you must do good and follow peace.
There is a story like this in the Talmud.
A disciple asked the rabbi. “Why doesn’t God strongly encourage the godly to pray and do the right thing for those around him?”
The rabbi inquired. “Aren’t we always encouraging people to do good and live right?
Then, like a disciple, he asked the rabbi. “But the power of evil people to draw others into evil is much stronger, and they work harder than we do when they try to develop evil powers by making people into their own gang.”
The rabbi answered quietly. “The reason is that a person who is doing the right thing is not afraid to walk alone. But the one who does evil is afraid to walk alone.”
To seek peace is to seek Jesus Christ. In the Beatitudes, it is said, “The peacemaker is called the Son of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18,19 says, “He has given the ministry of reconciliation” to our saints. This is because Jesus is the 'Prince of Peace' and the 'Source of Peace'. Therefore, those who do good are not afraid. Whether it be the Lord's second coming, God's judgment, darkness or light, we are not afraid and have boldness. This is because one's life is not ashamed before God. Nor does he dare to reveal the good deeds he has done. Because God knows that he even served a cup of cold water. That is why in the world people who do good deeds are not often seen. But God never forgets your good deeds. Therefore, God brings good days to those who do good.
※ Arrange the words.
We are children of God who live in hope of the kingdom of God where there is eternal joy and happiness. So, we are following the Lord by laying down all the powers of wealth and honor and honor in this world under the cross of the Lord. Giving up and giving up everything in this world is because we expect better things in the eternal kingdom of God. That is why we do not repay evil for evil, do not say everything we want to say, and even when we are faced with injustice, we endure and persevere in pursuit of the good while looking at the cross of the Lord. Let's look at Romans 2:-8. “God will reward each one according to his deeds, to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfish and do not follow the truth but follow unrighteousness, wrath and wrath.” Says