Thursday, March 19, 2009

Book: "Twelve Ordinary Men" - Chapter on Peter, by John MacArthur

I orginally read this book back in 2005, but picked it up again in my study of 1 Peter.

Page 49-50: Submission is an indispensible character quality for leaders to cultivate. If they would teach people to submit, they must be examples of submission themselves. And sometimes a leader must submit even when there might seem to be very good arguments against sumbitting.

Peter learned the lesson well. Years later, in 1 Peter 2:13-18, he would write,

Therfore submit yoursleves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, wheter to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those whold do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God, Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

Note: reading MacArthur's rendention of Peter's life has been a great addition to my study of his letter to God's elect.

To that end....