June 2 | 1 Peter 1:14-25

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DAILY READING

1 Peter 1:14-25

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REFLECTION

 By Dave Mann

Peter, Paul, and a Consistent Message

As you know, Peter emerged as the preeminent disciple of Jesus’ band of twelve.  Though he did not have formal education as the Apostle Paul had, he was quite the preacher (cf. Acts 2:14-41, ch. 3, and ch. 4).  He also wrote two epistles which were circulated to the church at large.

Saints Peter and Paul in a warm embrace (Orthodox Icon)

Some critics of biblical Christianity have claimed that there were sharp theological differences between Peter and Paul – that they argued with each other about how we are saved and how believers are to live faithful lives.  However, notice the similarities between Peter’s writing and that of Paul.

Both apostles called believers not to be conformed to the evil ways of the world.

1 Peter 1:14 -- As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 

Romans 12:2 -- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Both apostles called believers to be transformed into God’s holy people.

1 Peter 1:15 -- But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7 -- For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Both apostles referred to our life on earth as “foreign” and that we will be “at home” when we are with the Lord in heaven.

1 Peter 1:17

2 Corinthians 5:6

Both wrote about our appearance before the Lord in judgment.

1 Peter 1:17

2 Corinthians 5:10

Both wrote about being redeemed by the blood of Jesus, our Passover lamb.

1 Peter 1:18

1 Corinthians 5:7

Both challenged new believers to leave their former way of life.

1 Peter 1:18 -- you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors.

Ephesians 4:22 -- You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.

In the end, both apostles taught that we are saved by what God does in our hearts to believe in Christ.

1 Peter 1:21 -- Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Ephesians 2:8 -- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

We give thanks to God for the consistent message he has preserved for us in the Scriptures.

PRAYER

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding the apostles to write your message in the Scriptures so that we could know your will and to believe in you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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June 1 | Ephesians 4:17-24; Matthew 11:28-30

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DAILY READING

Ephesians 4:17-24

Matthew 11:28-30

REFLECTION

Rest and New Clothes

By Elaine Pierce

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REFLECTION

My grandmother's favorite Bible verse was Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I remember thinking something like this: 'how nice for her. I guess old people get weary and need to rest.' I couldn't relate. That was then....this is now and oh my, I long for that rest that can only come from Jesus.

Upon first reading these two passages, they didn't seem to go together. In Ephesians, Paul is reminding the church at Ephesus that they are no longer part of the secular world, and their lives must be made new - putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (v. 24). He makes it clear that the "old life," a continual lust for more, is over.

In Matthew 11, Jesus reminds his followers that those who consider themselves 'wise and learned' will not understand the gospel, and he tells them that "no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him (v. 26)." The disciples had to be mulling that statement over - what does it mean? Could he be the Christ? And then he tells them that his yoke will be easy and his burden is light.

We are in this journey of faith together. We are bound up with the Body of Christ - brother and sister, father and mother, the family of God. Jesus does not promise us that it will be easy. But he does tell us that he will give us rest. Paul reminds us that we have a new self, and that new self is clothed in righteousness through Jesus' death and resurrection. Our burden is not one we carry alone. In fact, we can't do it by ourselves. We need each other, and most important, we need Jesus. The church can be messy and sinful, mostly because it is composed of all of us sinners. But this is God's plan, and he uses us for his glory, no matter how imperfect we are and how much we fall short.

PRAYER

Take some time to thank God for his easy yoke and light burden. Ask him for forgiveness, and ask him to clothe you in righteousness for his name's sake. Amen!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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May 31| Ephesians 4:7-16

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DAILY READING

Ephesians 4:7-16

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REFLECTION

Speaking the Truth in Love

By Terry Gustafson

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul primarily focuses on the principles of living life in Christ in community. Paul reminds his readers that they are “members of God’s household” (2:19) and that “through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body” (3:6). We must never forget that while every Christian has a personal relationship with Christ, we live out that relationship in community with other believers.

In chapters 4-6, Paul focuses on how to put into practice those principles and live them out in Christian community. He begins chapter four (1-6) with an emphasis on internal qualities that are required for individuals who are in Christ: humility, gentleness, and patience, along with the capacity to bear with one another in love. (See also Galatians 5:22.)

As Paul continues in chapter four (7-16), he reminds us that Christ came to earth and returned to his heavenly throne (ascended). But he didn’t leave us without the external manifestation of his Spirit through those he has gifted to build up the body - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers - all with the goal for the body to be unified.  (See also 1 Corinthians 12.) To grow up from infants to adults Paul says that we must speak the truth to one another in love. We are to bear with one another and speak the truth to one another all in love.

So what does it mean to speak the truth in love? Our society seems to have a tortured relationship with truth. The postmodern critique of truth said that truth is relative.  Now it seems that truth is irrelevant; lies are proclaimed as truth and truth as lies. Christ proclaimed that he was “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). For that reason, Christians have an obligation to pursue truth relentlessly and passionately. Ultimately, all truth is God’s truth, wherever it is found. Christians are those who are privileged to live in the presence of the living Truth. Part of my daily prayer is that I would speak only what is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind (the THINK principle). It can be too easy to speak what is true with the purpose of hurting someone. We should focus on what will be an encouragement to the hearer. A favorite poem of mine by Emily Dickinson, Tell all the truth but tell it slant, is a reminder of the need to be careful with the truth if we are to speak it in love.

PRAYER

Repeat the following breath prayer throughout the day:

(Breathe in) Lord Jesus, our head

(Breathe out) Today may I speak only what is true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TERRY GUSTAFSON

My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 12 years.  We have two grown daughters and one grandchild.  I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship.  I currently have the privilege of serving on the UALC Council.

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