In missions, we often hear talk of sacrifice. I suppose there are some things that folks have sacrificed to serve God on the foreign field. However, when I analyze my own life in comparison with what others of generations gone by have sacrificed, I can’t say that I’ve really made all that many.
We are, however, called as Christians to suffering. (Acts 9:16; I Corinthians 12:26; II Thessalonians 1:5; II Timothy 1:12; II Timothy 2:12; I Peter 2:20; 3:14, 17)
Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”
I Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
I’m a bit of a word nerd. Recently, I did a word study of this verse in I Peter 4, that I am going to try to share with you.
The word suffer here is translated from the Greek word pascho. It is defined as follows: to be affected, to feel, to have a sensible experience, or to undergo. Many things come to mind here. We all have been affected by the choice we made to be obedient to the call of God on our lives. We’ve all felt multitudes of emotional roller-coasters. There are many trials, rocks, and hard places we have undergone. This is the fellowship of His sufferings. This has been given to us on the behalf of Christ.
Peter encourages us to commit the keeping of our souls to God in well doing. The word keeping is translated from the Greek word paratithemi, which is defined as follows: to place beside or before, i.e. food placed on a table. The word soul here is translated from the Greek word psyche, which is defined as follows: the rational and immortal soul, life, mind, soul, or heart. When this word is used to describe plants it refers to their vitality. ‘In well doing’ is translated from the Greek word agathopoiia, which is defined as follows: a course of right action, well doing, or virtue. Faithful is used to describe our Creator to Whom we can commit our souls. That word comes from the Greek word pistos, which is defined as follows: trusty, faithful, of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, to be relied upon, sure, or true.
So here is my takeaway:
1. Suffering is an honorable service when endured on the behalf of Christ.
2. We must commit the care of our souls to God.
3. God will nourish our souls – our psyche – in the same way that we as a host wait on a guest.
4. God will keep us on a course of right action.
5. God is faithful.
Lovely. Thank you.
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