May
12
52home
Filed under Biblical Womanhood | 52home11:53 a.m.Birthday Girl
We’ve come to the end of our little series on envy. Sadly it is not the end of our temptation to sinfully compare! But how grateful I am that God has preserved these words to Peter—to show us the way of escape when temptation comes. “What is that to you?” and “You follow me!” are words of grace to us all. And we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, at work to purify us from all envy and help us to follow Christ.
If you would like to review this series or go through it with a friend, we’ve made it available in a downloadable PDF.
This song and video is a powerful reminder of the grace of our heavenly Father:
HT: Tony Reinke
Even though most moms in the world have seen this video already, it is worth a re-watch in honor of Mother’s Day!
Hope all you mothers enjoy your special day!
Nicole for my mom and sisters
Peter humbled himself under the Savior’s rebuke—“What is that to you?”—and heeded the Savior’s call—“You follow me!”
And in 1 Peter 4, he encouraged his fellow believers to do the same:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice a insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed….Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
So when that test or trial comes and we are tempted to envy—“don’t be surprised!” Peter says, “It’s not as if something strange were happening to you!”
But instead (and talk about “strange” in the eyes of the world!): “Rejoice!”
Peter’s take on suffering? All joy. Joy now, because we have the privilege to share in Christ’s sufferings. And even more joy later, when Christ’s glory is revealed.
An eternal perspective enabled Peter to put away comparison and envy and follow Christ with joy. He wasn’t living any longer for the glory or the comfort of this world—his joy was in Christ, now and forever.
So let’s learn from Peter’s example. Let us stop comparing ourselves to others, but entrust our souls to our faithful Creator and follow Him into joy unimaginable!
