Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

PART III--The Way Of Serving God In Christ Jesus

E. Lesson 17--We Serve By Persevering

10. READ: 1 PETER 4:12-19

c. When we suffer in God's Will, what should we do?

Answer: When we suffer in God's Will (according to God's Will; while we are in God's Will and doing God's Will; while we are living the Christian life), we should commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good, (verse 19).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• The word "commit" here is the Greek word paratithemi, an old word that was used in banking. It means "deposit."
• This is the word used in 1 Timothy 1:18, where it says, "Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction [KJV: "This charge I commit unto thee..."] in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight..."

In other words, Paul might be telling Timothy that he is leaving a deposit of instruction in Timothy's bank of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ that is sure and certain. You can "bank on it!"

• This word "commit" is also used in 2 Timothy 2:2: "And the things you have heard me [Paul] say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." (KJV: "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.")

Paul might be saying that Timothy should "deposit" the teachings of Paul (the Gospel) into "the bank" of faithful men, who shall, in turn, "deposit" these teachings into "the bank" of other faithful followers of Christ. The "deposit" (the Gospel) is guaranteed, it is real, it is unchanging, and you can "bank on it!" This is how we are commanded by our Lord and Master to spread the Good News--one person to another, deposit after deposit.

• The word "commit" was used also by our Lord as he died. In Luke 32:46, it says, "Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.' When He had said this, He breathed His last." Jesus was "depositing" His spirit into the "bank" of God.

THIS "deposit" was a guarantee of our future "deposit" into God's hands--in this life, and in the life to come. This was the largest "deposit" that could be paid in heaven and on earth for the value of one soul--YOURS!!

Jesus trusted God to raise Him from the dead, to resurrect His spirit, and the "bank" did not fail Him--God faithfully guarded, invested and multiplied that precious "deposit"! Nor will God fail us. We may, in sure hope, "deposit" our eternal souls into the "bank" of God, and KNOW that He shall keep the deposit safe, and multiply it into eternity!

As a matter of fact, when we commit ourselves to God, He in turn leaves a "deposit" of good faith with us--His Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: "Now it is God Who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

• Because of the "deposit" that Jesus made--His life and His blood--on our behalf into the "bank" of God, He in turn asks US to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator, to make a total and complete "deposit" into God.

And because we have made this "deposit" (through our obedient submission to Him in baptism), we are commanded to continue to do good. What we have "deposited" ourselves INTO (God) is ALL that is good! We cannot remain "on deposit" in the "bank" of God if we fail to be what HE is. We MUST do good!

Now, Mark 10:18 says: "‘Why do you call Me good?' Jesus answered. ‘No one is good--except God alone.'" (Also Luke 18:19.) BUT because we are "deposited" in God, and God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are "deposited" in us, we become the goodness of God. We BECOME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS--we become what HE is. 2 Corinthians 5:21: "God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him WE might become the righteousness of God." We are to imitate GOOD, and that is GOD, 3 John 1:11: "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

• Read the following Scriptures concerning "doing good":

Psalm 34:14: "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Psalm 125:4: "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart."

Proverbs 14:22: "Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."

Ecclesiastes 3:12: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live."

Jeremiah 4:22: [God said,] "My people are fools; they do not know Me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."

Jeremiah 13:23: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."

Luke 6:27-28, 32-33, 35-36: [Jesus said,] "But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you... If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' do that... But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Read Romans 7:14-25.

Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Galatians 6:9-10: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

1 Timothy 6:17-19: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

2 Timothy 2:20-21: "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble [not noble, base, mean, despicable, infamous, heinous, shameful, dishonorable, contemptible, nefarious, vile, dastardly, low, unconscionable, foul, degraded, depraved, degenerate, cowardly, disgraceful, debased, inferior, unworthy, indecent]. If a man cleanses himself from the latter [ignoble purposes], he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

Titus 2:11 through Titus 3:8: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very Own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

Hebrews 13:15-16: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His Name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

James 4:17: "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

1 Peter 2:15: "For it is God's Will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."

1 Peter 3:8-17: "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.' Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's Will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

And again, 3 John 1:11: "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."