1Peter 2:15
Joy’s Notes:
Tuesday
1 Peter 2:15
“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”
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What’s an “HONORABLE LIFE?”
the invisible (radical)
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Theres another common denominator of an “honorable life” that silenced others accusations..
Stephan, Paul, and Jesus all have in common:
PAUL SAID:
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2 Tim 4:16
“Everyone abandoned me. But May it not be counted against them.” (Paul to Timothy )
Instead of bitterness, he offers forgiveness. WHY?
Paul learned this lesson from Stephen as he personally witnessed Stephen being stoned to death
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STEPHEN
(acts7:59-60)
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”When he had said this, he fell asleep.
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the NEXT page over—Saul is changed to PAUL!!!!) on road to Damascus —whoa 😭 (acts 9)
this line must of haunted Paul in the middle of the night— over & over & over?
Who could ask this while being stoned to death?? What kind of love is that?
An undeserved love!!!
When we RECEIVE an undeserved grace, love, kindness- we then have it to give out!
And Jesus left this SAME message on the cross as they crucified Him.... “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
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A Roman officer who hears these words come out of Jesus ‘mouth, now believes that he was God!-
commander of over 100 soldiers in the Roman army.
probably hardened soldier and a veteran of so many wars and conflicts during that time.
He had presided over hundreds or thousands of crucifixions
He would have ordered his men to beat Jesus.
He would have been there when his men dressed Jesus in a robe, pressed a crown of thorns on head & beat him with make shift shepherd staff :(
He walked Him to Golgotha.
He would have given the order to proceed with the crucifixion.
Having seen many crucifixions, the Roman Officer knew what to expect from his prisoners.
BUT as God tore open the veil— He tore open a hardened heart.
👉👉 AND the criminal on the cross (Luke 23:33) heard Jesus forgive them too— & BELIEVED!!!
FULL CIRCLE !!
Jesus said it before He died & = (Roman officer & criminal on cross heard)
Stephen said it before he dies & = (Paul heard)
Paul said it before he dies & = (Timothy heard)
FORGIVENESS:
Forgiveness becomes the spiritual doorway for others to encounter Jesus!
What if we made forgiveness our ministry?
Look at the ripple effect.
What if it’s not on the stage, with microphone, behind a podium?
👉But the seemingly small but VERY BIG choice of forgiveness?
The “HONORABLE LIFE” Peter refers to!
Satan H A T E S forgiveness.
He knows forgiveness will make you BETTER & not BITTER.
True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.”
“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong, it makes you bitter.
Forgiving doesn’t make you weak, it’s set you free.”
“Unforgiveness in the heart of believers is the single biggest open door for the devil “
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WHAT IS FORGIVENESS? (By Lysa Terkeurst)
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Forgiveness doesn’t always fix broken relationships, but it does mend a broken heart.
Forgiveness is both a decision and a process and healing is a long journey (fact vs impact)
Forgiveness doesn’t put the other person off the hook, it actually places them in gods hands. (Joseph— payback or promise?)
Forgiveness does not justify or excuse abuse, ever.
Forgiveness is required by God, but reconciliation is conditional.
Forgiveness isn’t an act of our determination, but of our cooperation for what Jesus has already done
Forgiveness is not adding on top of our pain a misery too great to bear. It’s exchanging our bound up resentment for life-giving freedom - Making the mystery of the working of God too great to deny.
HOW TO FORGIVE:
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MOST VITAL STEP:
“Forgiveness flows TO me & then
flows THRU me!” 🤍🤍
I can’t give what I don’t possess
forgiven people forgive people.
“Freedom is learning to accept an apology you never got.”
Anita’s Notes:
