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Esther Griggs

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Having Troubles?

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Peter wrote to the pilgrims regarding their great heavenly inheritance and of their being kept by God’s power. There was much to rejoice in. However, in writing of this gracious salvation, he addressed the issue of having troubles. From his words, we learn further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and their ultimate purpose.

Salvation

First we learn of salvation. Peter tells his readers that salvation from God causes them great rejoicing. Though they have never seen Jesus, they believe and it has brought them a joy that cannot be expressed. They rejoice with a joy that is full of glory and are receiving the result of their faith. It is a salvation received by faith and ultimately revealed at the end of time when Jesus is revealed.

Trials

Next we learn of trials. In all the wonders of salvation, there is something else. Peter wrote that If it was necessary, and only for a little while, grievous troubles would come. Jesus and the other disciples also talked of trials. Jesus talked about having joy amid persecution because of the great reward in heaven, Paul wrote that trials were temporary and working for us something which far exceeded any trouble on earth. James also says to count it all joy when encountering trials for he wrote that they work patience in the believer. Though grievous they have purpose.

Purpose

What purpose could our troubles have other than to make life miserable? They do have purpose. Have you wondered about the reality of your faith? Before your peers, before your own soul, before God, is your faith genuine? Troubles, like refineries to gold, remove the impurities of our faith. Peter wrote that a person’s faith is far more valuable than gold. Gold will pass away, but our faith, tested by the troubles we face, prepare us for the day Jesus is revealed. When Jesus returns, our faith, tested and tried through the refinery of trouble, will bring praise, honour, and glory to God the Father. Even though we cannot see Him, we love Him, believe in Him and rejoice in the salvation of our souls.

From these words we learned further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls at the revealing of the Lord Jesus.

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Our Inheritance

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

One day when Jesus observed the anxiety on the face of His disciples, He made them a promise. “I am going to prepare a place for you. Then I am coming back to get you so we can be together.” The cross and the resurrection still lay ahead of them. Their finite minds grappled with His words. Here, beyond the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter writes a letter in which he describes what awaits those who believe in Jesus. He writes of an inheritance, where it is, and who will receive it.

The Inheritance

God has not only begotten us to a living hope but also to an inheritance. Unlike the things of this world, it cannot be corrupted or resisted. Neither can it fade away. It brings to mind the words of Jesus when He says to lay up our treasures where you have no worries about thieves, rust or moths.

Where It Is

Peter writes that it is being reserved for us in heaven. In Mark’s gospel we read that Jesus was received up into heaven where He sat down at the Father’s right hand. In John 6:38 Jesus told His listeners that He came down from heaven. When Jesus spoke, it was of the things He knew about heaven. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus hasn’t entered a holy place made by men but rather the true heaven where God resides. Our inheritance is with God the Father and Jesus.

Who Will Receive It

Peter writes it is for those who “are kept by the power of God.” It is through faith for salvation and it is ready to be revealed in the last time. As followers of Jesus, we are born again and begin a process of working our our salvation with fear and trembling until the day when all of the enemies of God, the last one being death, lie beneath His feet. We who search for that city whose builder and maker is God, will receive an unshakeable kingdom. Hear the words of Jude, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty dominion and power, both now and forever.”

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Blessed Be God

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

After Peter identifies himself, addresses the pilgrims, and bestows a blessing of grace and peace, he enters into worship. Have you ever wondered at the phrase “Bless God?” I have. When I read it in the Psalms or heard a preacher say it, I was puzzled. How do you bless an infinite being? And here it is again. Peter begins “Blessed be the God.” Peter worships God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ our living hope.

Worship God the Father

Worshipping God the Father was a big part of how Jesus lived. His entire life was an act of worship to God the Father. He honored His Father’s house. He spoke of His Father’s kingdom, not His own. He acknowledges that He was sent from God as a gift to the world because of God’s love for it. Jesus knew who He was and His role, but He always worshipped God as the Father. Peter reminds his readers to worship God the Father.

Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Peter writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His abundant mercy provided us with a Savior. Now we have a relationship with the Great and Merciful Creator and His Son who offered Himself as a ransom for many.

Our Living Hope

God has brought us to life again. He did it by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We don’t have a flimsy I hope so but a solid, living hope attached to a resurrected living Savior and ministered to us daily by His precious Spirit. Peter begins “Blessed be the God.” Peter worships God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ our living hope.

Bless God. We have reason for worship today.

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Peter Writes a Letter

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Having looked at the Epistles of John, we now turn our attention to the First Epistle of Peter. He identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. We know him from the gospels as a fisherman, a man whose faith was tested, who denied the Christ and was restored to the Kingdom of God. He writes his letter to the temporary residents of the scattering of the Jews to places like Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. He calls them elect in regards to three significant positions.

Position One

First they are elect according to the foreknowledge of God. They were already in God’s thoughts. He was the source, the One with the plan, who sees it through to its completion. Paul’s writing confirm this truth. In Ephesians 1:4 he wrote “He chose us before the foundations of the world.” Then in Romans he further writes, “For whom He foreknew.” God’s plan of salvation had long been in the works.

Position Two

Secondly, they are elect according to the sanctification of the Spirit. The helper came once Jesus departed. It is He who works in believers to set them apart for God’s work. the gospel came in the power of the Spirit, with much assurance and with joy.

Position Three

Thirdly, they are elect for a purpose, “for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.” The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus, “So shall He sprinkle many nations, Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them, they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.” Paul wrote in Romans 1:5, “through Him we received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations for His name.” God’s plan gave great purpose. The apostle Peter calls them elect in regards to these three significant positions. This word still speaks.

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Servanthood

Three Men

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

In the third epistle of John we learn of three men. He writes to one of them and refers to the other two, one in negative terms and the other in positive. What can we learn from these three men named Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius?

Gaius

We first learn that Gaius is beloved by John. He is also doing well spiritually, so much so that John tells him he wants the same well being in all areas of life including his physical health. The things John hears about Gaius from other brethren encourages him. He is the type of guy who sticks at it through thick and thin whether it is for the brethren or for strangers. “If you send these travelling missionaries on their journey in a God honoring manner, you are doing well,” he writes.

Diotrephes

Next we hear of a man named Diotrephes, who does not hold a glowing report from John. We read that he is a man who likes to be better than everyone else so much so that he didn’t receive John’s authority or his suggestions. He was one of the twelve disciples! He even went so far as to put out of the church any who wished to receive the travelling missionaries. “If I come,” John writes, “I will call to mind his deeds.” He continues by referring to his prating malicious words and goes so far as to say, “He who does evil has not seen God.” He is a lesson for what not to do. “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”

Demetrius

The third man is Demetrius. The report John received of him was positive. “He has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself,” John writes. He, also is a witness to this man’s faithful testimony. What can we learn from these three men named Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. John writes, “He who does good is of God.”

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Another Letter

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

We don’t write letters the same anymore but in the apostle’s time, it provided communication over the distance. Although never adequate, it served a purpose that still ministers to us centuries later. When John wrote his second letter, he ensured each part carried the depths of his heart whether in the greeting, the body of the letter or its closing. His letter gave a promise in the greeting, solid teaching in the body and expressed his heart in its conclusion.

In the Greeting

In the greeting there is a promise. First he refers to himself as the elder and then addresses the elect or chosen lady and her children. I like to think he is referring to the bride of Christ spoken of in Revelation, “the bride, the Lamb’s wife ,” or the Spirit and the bride who extend the grand invitation “Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” for he loves her in truth as do all who know the truth which dwells within the believer forever.

There is a promise next. In his greeting he writes, “Grace, mercy and peace,” but not just as a greeting but as a promise, “will be with you, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,” To receive the things we don’t deserve, to not receive the things we do deserve and to know a peace we will never understand, are promised in truth and love.

The Body

The meat of his letter, good solid teaching, comes in the body. He had received encouraging news that her children followed the truth. To further strengthen them he admonishes, “Love one another,” “This is love that we walk according to His commandments.”

Then he warns them, “Many deceivers have gone out into the world.” They deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. You worked hard he tells them, coming to faith in Jesus in perilous times took hard work physically and spiritually. John desired that they remain faithful and not lose their reward. Stay in the doctrine of Christ, let it be where you live. If anyone comes to you with a different doctrine don’t take part in it by allowing them even into your home, he writes.

The Conclusion

In the conclusion, John’s expresses his heart to see them. Letters just aren’t good enough he wants to see them face to face. It is fulfillment of joy for both he and those he instructs. He has so much to share with them.

His letter gave a promise in the greeting, solid teaching in the body and expressed his heart in its conclusion.

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New Understanding

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Jesus, in the days before His death told His followers another would come, to remind them of His words and further instruct them. When Jesus returned to His disciples after His resurrection, He opened the scriptures to them, and explained His place in them. In 1 John 5:14-21, John writes, “the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding to know Him who is true.” We are in Him and also in His Son Jesus Christ, In Him is the true God and eternal life. By His Spirit we have a new understanding for confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and to grow in Him.

Confidence in Prayer

The confidence we have is this, if we pray, in line with His heart, He hears us. In addition, if He hears us, which is already ascertained, then we know our prayers are already answered. But there is a need here for understanding even in prayer, John writes about a brother’s sin which does not lead to death and one that does. The amplified specifies leading to life as (that which can be repented of and forgiven.) Pray for the first and God will give him life, but as for the one whose sin leads to death he states, “I do not say that he should pray about that.”

In Our Relationship

Another aspect of our new understanding is this. Whoever is born of God does not sin,. No longer are we in a system of rules and regulations but rather a spiritual relationship. There the believer keeps his heart pure before God, the One he adores, and the wicked one does not touch him. We are born of God while the world remains swayed by the wicked on.

As We Grow

In our new understanding, God is true. With Him is eternal life. We don’t stay as babes drinking only milk. As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2;2, “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” John warns, “Keep yourselves from idols.” Let nothing stand between you and the Lord Jesus. Let His word live in you, receive from the vine and bear fruit. In Him, we gain a new understanding where we find confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and as we grow in Him.

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Witness and Testimony

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

John writes about Jesus the Christ when he declares that He came both by water and by blood. The Spirit of God is the witness because He is the Spirit of truth. There are three witnesses in heaven and also on earth followed by the testimony.

Witness in Heaven

John says there are three witnesses in heaven. These are the Father, the Word and the Spirit. They are three but they are also one.

Witness on Earth

In 1 John 5: 8, he writes that there are also three witnesses on earth. The Spirit, the water and the blood. They are three but they all agree as if they were one. When the soldier struck Jesus to see if He was dead, water and blood spilled from His side. We may receive the witness of men but how much greater the witness of God who at His baptism stated, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

The Testimony

Do you believe in the Son of God? That in itself is a witness. Otherwise you make God out to be a liar. The testimony is that God has given eternal life, the life that is in His Son. Anyone who has the Son also has His life. There are three witnesses in heaven and also on earth followed by the testimony.

John clarified the reason he wrote. He was writing to believers. He wanted them to know that they had eternal life and to give them a reason to continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

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The Overcomer

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

I wonder how John’s readers felt about all his writing about love. Jesus had been crucified by the Romans and there was fierce opposition toward those who chose to follow Jesus. It was not an atmosphere conducive to warm and fuzzy feelings. Still like a dog with a bone, John reiterates this theme. God is unseen but if we love Him, we love the Son and must love our brother. The overcomer is born of God, lives by faith and overcomes the world.

Born of God

John states, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” If you love God then you also love His Son. Loving our brother is the natural flow of His Life in us. That is how we know we love God’s children. His life, His essence of love is active in us.

Lives by Faith

The victory to overcome the world is by our faith. I think of the old hymn we love to sing, Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Our faith gives us the power to overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Our allegiance is to one unseen.

Overcomes the World

How do we know of our love for God? It shows when we love others. His command is to love. “His commandments are not burdensome,” writes John. Perhaps he considered the words of Jesus, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Love God by loving others, and your faith in God will enable Him to do the heavy lifting.

The overcomer is born of God, lives by faith and overcomes the world.

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bold, confident and unafraidChrist's Return

Bold, Confident and Unafraid

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

As we learn about God, we learn He is a just God. We gain an understanding of His wrath, but we also learn how Jesus gave His life to satisfy God’s wrath. In 1 John 4:17-19 he tells his readers that the perfection of love presents us as bold, confident and unafraid when he returns.

Bold

The Bible describes a day of judgement yet to come. However, we are like Jesus in the world. His love has been perfected in us. Because of this we have boldness. It is the sign of love’s perfection in us. This relationship we have with Him was His idea. “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Confident

We will stand not only bold but also confident. Although not mentioned here, In 1 John 2:28, John writes of having confidence when Jesus returns. He promised when he left the earth, that He would return. John writes further regarding this where Jesus says He is going to prepare a place for us and will come back to get us. We face His return with confidence and without shame. It is the fruit of abiding in Him.

Unafraid

“There is no fear in love,” he writes. God’s complete love sends fear away. In fear there is torment, a fear of punishment, a fear of God’s wrath. The person who has been made perfect in love, rests in the work of Jesus.

What blessing the Spirit brings to our heart as we contemplate the day of Jesus return, or the day of judgement. We know that in Him we won’t be ashamed, nor cowardly, nor full of fear. Because of the love of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, we will stand, bold, confident and unafraid when He returns.

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