Since last week’s lesson was based upon a great question of the Bible, and
I really like this concept of lesson thoughts, I’m going to stick with it for
another one today. Plus, I’m going to revert to a lesson format that I like to
use, which is called a “type versus antitype” lesson. Our “type” today will be
ancient Israel who has served well in the past for many lessons. The “antitype”
of course is ourselves - Christians of this dispensation.
Our “question” comes from our prefacing passage from 2Pet. 3:11 - “What
manner of persons ought we to be?’ Both in “holy conversation and
godliness?” Before we get into the body of our lesson, I need to point out
that the first part of that verse “Seeing then.........” is referring
to what Peter had just written in verse 10 where he’s talking about the earth
and everything on it “melting with fervent heat” and that, brethren, is
hotter than a firecracker in July. Plus, the word “conversation” in
the Greek means “behavior.”
But, isn’t this a great question? Keep this question in mind as we
continue on and get to looking at the “type vs. antitype” portion of our lesson
and see some things about ancient Israel that correlate to us today. In Deut.
14:2 we see what God says about them. That they are “children of God
(vs. 1) and then says that, as such, they are a “holy and chosen
people” and that they are a “peculiar people unto himself.” He
further says that they are “above all others on earth.”
Being such as described there, we know from our studies of old Israel, that
they benefitted greatly by the blessings they received from God. They were
“saved” from bondage, protected, fed and clothed for 40 years in the
wilderness and then they inherited a land of “milk and honey.” There
are many other blessings we could list here, but probably the best scriptural
description of their blessings can be read in Lev. 26:3-13.
But, after you read that passage, I want you to take notice of the starting
of verse 14 and its beginning words - “But if ye will not hearken unto
me....” Basically He tells them that His blessings will not be there.
What we’re seeing there is that Israel had an obligation to God. This can be
pointed out by also reading Deut. 6:1-2 and then Deut. 7:11.
In a nutshell, that obligation was obedience to His law, His commands. The
purpose of their obedience was so that God would be glorified and honored. They
received their blessings because of that. So do we.
At this point of the lesson, do you see the resemblance between us today
and Israel of old? The description of both they and us? The purpose of us
being obedient to His commands now? The reason for the receipt of our
blessings? It’s the same precept and reasoning by which Israel was blessed -
that by our obedience, we honor and glorify God.
While remembering how Israel was blessed by following God, IE: protected,
fed, saved etc. let’s look at a few passages that relate to our blessings. In
2Pet. 1:4 we see that we have the promise of sharing in the “divine
nature” of God. In Col. 1:12-14 we see that we have the
“inheritance” with other saints, “delivered” from the power of
Satan and placed into the “kingdom” of Christ. Plus, we have
“forgiveness of sins.”
Also, you can turn back to Christ’s sermon on the mount and read in Matt.
6:25-34 where we’ll be blessed with the necessities of life. (Isn’t this
another connection to our “type” Israel?) While reading this, I’m sure that
some of you may be thinking about another verse you’ve often heard cited: “I
have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or
his children begging for bread.” (Psa. 37:25)
But, just as Israel’s blessings were conditional to their obedience, so are
ours. When Israel did not live according to God’s commands, his blessings (like
maybe “protection”) were withdrawn. If we don’t live according to the commands
we’re given or cease to be obedient, ours too will be withdrawn. Or, withheld
if we’ve never been obedient in the first place.
Now let’s look at some thoughts I have that relate to our lesson question -
“What manner...” Or, “What kind of people should we be?”
Lets look first at 1Pet. 2:9 for a passage that relates to us - the
“antitype.” We read there that we also are a “chosen” people. That
we’re a “royal priesthood, a holy nation” and a “peculiar
people.” Do you know what “peculiar” means? It means “special”
or “beyond the usual.” (Here’s an interesting thought. Did you ever consider
that it’s the “usual” of the world that will be lost?)
First off, we should be people who are determined to do what’s right
according to God’s Word. 1Cor. 16:13 says that we are to be “standing in
the faith.” The inference there is “always” or
“unwavering.” In Acts 4:19 and 5:29 we see that we are to always be
“obedient to God” and not men. Then in 1Thess. 5:22 we see that we are
to “abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Israel was a “peculiar people” too and as such they weren’t
supposed to do things like the other people around them practiced. They had a
different diet and different hygienic laws than everyone else about them. In
other words, they weren’t the “usual.” They were different or better yet,
“beyond the usual.” Christians are also “peculiar” for the same
reasons. They are “beyond the usual.”
Well, why are we a “chosen generation, a “royal priesthood, a
holy nation and a peculiar people?” For the purpose of doing this:
“Show forth the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light.” (1Pet. 2:9) Just like Israel, to honor and glorify
God. And also, like Israel was supposed to do, we are to “keep ourselves
pure.” (1Tim. 5:22). So that we’ll be “unspotted from the
world.” (James 1:27)
In speaking of our secular life, we’re told in Col. 3:8-9 that there are
things that a Christian won’t do or be. Rom. 12:17 says that Christians are not
vengeful and are to be honest towards all. Then Rom. 13:12-14 sort of wraps up
the “manner” of persons Christians should be in their secular
life.
I’m running out of space so let’s just condense some of the “manners” that
we’re supposed to present to the world. Christians are to be “dependable
people” (1Cor. 15:58). Please read Eph. 4:21-32 and see how we are to be
towards our fellow man. How we are to be different from the “usual.” We’re to
be good examples to others (Heb. 10:24-25). We’re to exemplify the “Christian
graces” listed in 2Pet. 1:5-11.
Probably the greatest “manner” which we can both show the world
and honor God is seen by our “love.” (1John 4:12) When we love God
and one another, we are obedient to His commands. In other words, we yield our
will to His and let Him direct our lives. (Rom. 12:1) That’s the “manner
of persons ought we to be” in the totality of our lives.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey
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