Good morning. I hope you
are feeling well. Good news? It is time for judgment to begin with the
household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for
those who do not obey the gospel of God? Isn't it great to be first? Our
judgment actually begins while we are still alive. The purpose of that judgment
is so that we will become more like Christ before we die. Of course after they
die, it is too late for unbelievers to change their lives. And if it is with
difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and
the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God
entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. It's hard to
accept but whatever happens to our physical bodies in the end really is not
that important (though it feels like it at the time). It's what happens to our
souls that matters. Peter then encourages the elders to: shepherd the flock of
God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily,
according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor
yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be
examples to the flock. Father thank You that the reader stands firm in his/her
trust in You. Guide him/her in all of his/her decisions. Strengthen and
encourage him/her.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me
Good morning. Paul then gives a list of a lot of things that he has gone through as an apostle. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. There could be many people that you listen to either in church or through the Internet or other means; but there was only one person (as a general rule it was a person) that lead you to Christ. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. He was saying that just like a child imitates his or her father, they were to imitate him. He says that again seven chapters later. Since it is easy to forget some things about people we have not seen in a while, Paul says that he sent Timothy to them to remind them of his ways which are in Christ, just as he taught everywhere in every church. Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. I shall find ou...
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