第153章

but the word of the Lord endureth forever.And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."Many of the believers to whom Peter addressed his letters, were living in the midst of heathen, and much depended on their remaining true to the high calling of their profession.The apostle urged upon them their privileges as followers of Christ Jesus."Ye are a chosen generation," he wrote, "a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:

which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."The apostle plainly outlined the attitude that believers should sustain toward the civil authorities: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.Honor all men.Love the brotherhood.Fear God.Honor the king."Those who were servants were advised to remain subject to their masters "with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For this is thankworthy," the apostle explained, "if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."The apostle exhorted the women in the faith to be chaste in conversation and modest in dress and deportment."Whose adorning," he counseled, "let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."The lesson applies to believers in every age."By their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20.The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is priceless.In the life of the true Christian the outward adorning is always in harmony with the inward peace and holiness."If any man will come after Me," Christ said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.Self-denial and sacrifice will mark the Christian's life.Evidence that the taste is converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord.

It is right to love beauty and to desire it; but God desires us to love and seek first the highest beauty, that which is imperishable.No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that "meek and quiet spirit," the "fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation 19:14), which all the holy ones of earth will wear.This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King.His promise is, "They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4.

Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which the church of Christ was to enter, the apostle exhorted the believers to steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering."Beloved," he wrote, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you."Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God's children from the dross of earthliness.It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them.Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success.

He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them.He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work.In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed form their own knowledge.He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service.Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified.

God's care for His heritage is unceasing.He suffers no affliction to come upon His children but such as is essential for their present and eternal good.He will purify His church, even as Christ purified the temple during His ministry on earth.All that He brings upon His people in test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and greater strength to carry forward the triumphs of the cross.