Tag: followers

1 Peter 3:13 – Zealous Followers

Posted on by Will

And who is he who harms you if you are eager to do good?

Truth to Learn

The real lesson for today is, let us live our lives as examples of the goodness of God, knowing that He is watching over us. In doing so, we can truly give God the glory for anything that happens to us knowing that our future is secure!

 

Behind the Words

The King James translation of today’s verse is: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” The word translated “followers” is mimētai, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “someone who is an imitator or follower.”

The New International translation of this verse is: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” The word translated “eager” is dzēlōtai, from which we get our English word “zealous.” This is what is called a transliteration, a word that is transferred literally from one language to another. It means “ardently active, devoted, or diligent.”

The only difference in the Greek text for these two translations of today’s verse is this one word. But, no matter which translation you prefer, the meaning is essentially the same.

The verb translated “harm” comes from the Greek kakuō. Sound familiar? It comes from the same root as a word we looked at in verse eleven, the word kakos, which means general badness or evil.

 

Meaning Explained

Peter is saying that if you are zealous about doing good (or if you are followers of doing good), who is there that will harm you for this?

The answer to this question in not “no one!” (Excuse the double negative.) That is, Peter is not saying nothing bad (as we see it) will ever happen to those who are benevolent and keep their tongue under control. What he said in the previous verse is that God will watch over and listen to those who live their life in such a manner. God is a good God, one who truly loves us. Peter is telling us that since God is watching over us when we are zealous for good or when we follow goodness, who can really do anything bad to us without God allowing it for His eternal purpose.

Let us look at Christ as our supreme example. He surely was zealous for good, He was the epitome of goodness, and yet, at least from a human perspective, bad things were done to Him. These bad things, however, resulted in glorious goodness for all who believe, so they weren’t really bad in God’s eyes.

The other way to look at this is to realize that we already have been declared righteous in God’s book (if we have truly been saved). And, we have already been adopted into His family, which includes the promise of spending eternity with Him in heaven. Therefore, if we behave the way His children should, there is no permanent badness that can be done to us!

 

Application

Are you a follower of what is good? Are you zealous to do good things? If not, then you are not behaving like a child of God. If you are, no real eternal harm can possible happen to you. You’re in good hands!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:6 – Affliction and Joy

Posted on by Will

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Committed Christian living will result in affliction – and joy.

Behind the Words

 “Followers” is translated from mimētēs, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “someone who mimics, imitates, or follows the example of someone else.”

The words “having received” are from dechomai, meaning “to receive.” It is very similar in meaning to the verb lambanō except that lambanō implies more of an active participation (to take to oneself) while dechomai implies more of a subjective or passive participation (to receive to oneself).

Thlipsis is the Greek word translated “affliction.” It is derived from the verb thlibō, meaning “to crush” or “to squeeze.” Thlipsis refers to “pressure, trouble, affliction, or distress.”

“Joy” is translated from chara, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Therefore, chara refers to “joy, rejoicing, or gladness.”

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned yesterday, belief in the good news about Jesus Christ is the substance of our salvation. The whole discussion of election versus “free will” becomes a moot point at the moment of conversion. It doesn’t matter whether you believe that God chose or man chooses; what matters is that a lost sinner becomes a child of God and is credited with the righteousness of Christ at the moment of faith.

Then, at the end of yesterday’s verse Paul said, “as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Paul did not expect the people to whom he preached to pay him for what he did. Instead, he worked as a tent maker to pay for his own expenses. He, along with Silvanus and Timothy, lived exemplary lives in spite of the persecution they faced from the local Jews, who even traveled to Berea to harass Paul after he began preaching there. It is important to note that Paul’s ministry didn’t stop when people got saved. He simply switched from evangelist mode to teacher mode. He taught them the fundamental truths of how to live a life committed to God, and he lived the kind of life that he taught about.

As a result, we learn in today’s verse that the Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and his companions. They didn’t just listen to their teaching, smile politely, say a few amens, and then continue living as they always had. They changed. They put into practice what they were taught, using as their living examples Paul and his companions. And what did they get for it? They received the same persecution that Paul continually endured. We are told here that it wasn’t just a little teasing that they received, they suffered “much affliction.”

Those who afflicted them did so intentionally to make them suffer, but they didn’t complain; instead, they endured it with joy in their hearts. That’s committed Christian living.

Application

Christ told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer …” (John 16:33b)  Rather than causing us sadness, persecution and hardship should cause us to be as joyous as the Thessalonians, particularly if it has come upon us as a result of our living our Christian faith. Are you willing to suffer for Him? Think about how much He gave for you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved