LAB180 Kept by God Day by Day
1 Peter 5:8-9
LAB180 Ways to cross-reference to understand a passage rightly
#safeguardfaith
#perseveringfaith
Published September 21st, 2017; Updated September 21st, 2017
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Intro
Refer to http://www.desiringgod.org/labs/kept-by-god-day-by-day This LAB is mainly about how to draw upon other parts of the Word to understand a passage better. Here is 1 Peter 5:8-9 about how to survive the devil's attack to undermine our faith. On one level, we can take the verses as is. On another level, it's so much richer, fuller, and helpful to know a background, here the writer Peter. We are so blessed that God has given us a fuller picture of the life of Peter that informs how he wrote these verses. It seems to me then that the key question is how to do such background cross-referencing responsibly. The questions asked by Pastor John Piper are very helpful as a start. Pastor Piper notices the cluster of ideas: * Watchfulness * the devil * the threat of suffering * need for faith to resist Where in the gospels (other parts of the Bible) do we find that? Mark 14:37-38 Luke 22:31-34 Bringing all these verses together, what can we see and conclude? Christ knew Peter would fail Christ knew that He would cause Peter to return to Christ Christ secured this return by praying for Peter, for power (1 Peter 1:5) Therefore, we may temporarily fail We are utterly dependent upon God's keeping power Let us fight for faith with confidence not in ourselves but in God's desire for us to return, and in His power to safeguard our faith
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1 Peter 5:8-9
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1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Mark 14:37-38
And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:31-34
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
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