Holiday overindulgence prepares the way for new year dieting and health-consciousness. The trend is predictable and fickle; as predictable as the coming of this season of year, and equally short-lived.
Those who resolve to live a healthier lifestyle will find these words appealing: "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS ... " (1 Peter 3:10). What follows are timely tips on living the good life; a life of love and satisfaction. But, as you will see, these words have little to do with diet and exercise:
"THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." (1 Peter 3:10-12),
In short, the key to the good life is full participation with our Father. God has established the principles of honest and upbuilding speech, active goodness, and the way of peace. This aligns us with the God Whose eyes are "toward the righteous", and Whose "ears attend to their prayer." Conversely, His face is set against those who do evil.
These timeless truths, taken from Psalm 34, are framed in 1 Peter against the backdrop of unjust suffering and abuse. Those who mistreat the people of God will find no basis for accusation in light of a blameless lifestyle. If we are zealous to do good, the injustice of our suffering and persecution will be clearly evident.
Often, the purposes of God are accomplished amidst the pain. We have only to look at the unjust suffering of Christ as an example. The greatest work of God was accomplished through the greatest unjust suffering of all time. Should it surprise us, then, when we literally become painfully aware that His plans are being accomplished through our pain? How we handle adversity is potentially the greatest witness we will ever have.
Whether we are living amidst pain or prosperity, God's principles of godly speech, active goodness, and pursing the path of peace with people are always the right principles to live by. These principles comprise ultimate "fitness" in this age, and the one to come.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
Those who resolve to live a healthier lifestyle will find these words appealing: "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS ... " (1 Peter 3:10). What follows are timely tips on living the good life; a life of love and satisfaction. But, as you will see, these words have little to do with diet and exercise:
"THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." (1 Peter 3:10-12),
In short, the key to the good life is full participation with our Father. God has established the principles of honest and upbuilding speech, active goodness, and the way of peace. This aligns us with the God Whose eyes are "toward the righteous", and Whose "ears attend to their prayer." Conversely, His face is set against those who do evil.
These timeless truths, taken from Psalm 34, are framed in 1 Peter against the backdrop of unjust suffering and abuse. Those who mistreat the people of God will find no basis for accusation in light of a blameless lifestyle. If we are zealous to do good, the injustice of our suffering and persecution will be clearly evident.
Often, the purposes of God are accomplished amidst the pain. We have only to look at the unjust suffering of Christ as an example. The greatest work of God was accomplished through the greatest unjust suffering of all time. Should it surprise us, then, when we literally become painfully aware that His plans are being accomplished through our pain? How we handle adversity is potentially the greatest witness we will ever have.
Whether we are living amidst pain or prosperity, God's principles of godly speech, active goodness, and pursing the path of peace with people are always the right principles to live by. These principles comprise ultimate "fitness" in this age, and the one to come.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 7:56 AM
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