Dubis: "godly behavior will serve to shut down the ignorant"

1 Peter 2:13–17 This section is the first of several that speak of the importance of submitting to authority, again with an eye to how this behavior will present the Christian faith in a favorable light. Ancient Roman society criticized Christians as atheists because they rejected Roman religion and the worship of ancestral pagan gods. In a culture in which religion and the state were so enmeshed (especially given that in Rome its emperors were revered and even deified), the general populace viewed Christians as enemies of the state.

Without capitulating to such societal pressures, Peter nevertheless urges the believers to be model members of society insofar as possible. They should submit to the authority of the emperor and his subordinate provincial governors, who, when fulfilling their rightful role, will punish evildoers and reward those who do what is good (Ro 13:1–7). Such godly behavior will serve to shut down the ignorant criticisms leveled against Christianity.

A Christian’s submission to governing authorities is not servile or groveling, however, since Christians are not slaves to the government. Rather, they are free; therefore, they can speak and act with the dignity and confidence that free members of society bear. But Christians may not abuse their liberty (with respect to the government) to justify evil behavior. After all, even if their master is not the government, Christians do nevertheless have a master—God. 1 Peter 2:13

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Repackaging the gospel? It's more like obscuring the gospel!

Preface : I recognize this post may make me unpopular with some, but I think it is an important issue to blog about here. I’ve had time to reflect on this video and in my opinion, I think what is in this video raises some questions. This gentleman featured below is slotted to speak at the SBC's 2020 Pastors' Conference and it prompted me to think more about this illustration. I want to note that I don't know him and I have no personal issue with him. I assume he is a brother in the LORD. Having said that, I see some significant issues here that relate to this type of preaching being clear on the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, it appears to be obscuring it in my observation. Concern: Should the SBC or churches, in general, be in the habit of holding this up as a good and healthy example? Let's think about it some together. (Watch this clip below here first.) Context: The clip was posted to stand on its own as if it were wise and sound on it

Smith: "Many people believe God opens the door of salvation and then stands back...".

Jonah 2:9 “Salvation belongs to the LORD!” God’s dramatic intervention in the life of Jonah is full of hope—not only for those who seek God, but also for those who, like Jonah, have determined to shut him out. Many people believe God opens the door of salvation and then stands back, leaving it up to us to decide if we want to come in. But if God made salvation possible and then stepped back, refusing to interfere with our choice, then the entire life of believers would be about us—our believing, our serving, our following, and our choices to live a good life. In the case of Jonah, imprisoned in the whale’s belly, God was claiming someone who was quite incapable of performing any redeeming work to compensate for his sin. God was not relying on Jonah to save Jonah. The message remains the same for each of us today: if you have trusted God for salvation, he has done more than simply make salvation possible; he has actually saved you. Colin Smith, “Jonah,” in Gospel Transformation B

Men stirred, boys exhorted, and Jesus exalted!

Neh 8 v 13 (CSB) 13 On the second day, the family heads of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before the scribe Ezra to study the words of the law. Notice the feel of the scene. After that long day in the Word, it appears that the women and children were, understandably, exhausted and urged to stay home on this occasion. And, among the men, there is a growing interest of “What else are we missing right now as it pertains to obeying God's Word?”. So clear is the fact that the family heads, the men, came back to get more. The real sense of enthusiasm starts with the men here. If you were an able-bodied man here, you stayed behind to get instructions so that you might be a good instructor at home. The text says these men came together to study the words of the law . That means to give attention to and ponder. This is the process of thinking through complex things, resulting in wise dealing and the use of good practical common sense. Here in

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