Reflections on Scriptures: 1 Corinthians and 1 Peter

Work for Gods Good Pleasure 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? Why are we in danger every hour? 1 Corinthians 15:29 30 ESV

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 1 Corinthians 15:31 32 ESV

Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals. Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33 34 ESV

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 1 Peter 1:17 18 ESV

but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 1 Peter 1:19 20 ESV

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:21 ESV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12 ESV

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 ESV

How does one bring about ones own salvation? Obey God the Father and do the work of Jesus - this is our sanctification.

Because it is God who works in you, to will and to work for His good pleasure. (v.13).

Is God working through you, to effect the world, for his will, work and pleasure?

The word pleasure [2107] is the Greek word eudokia meaning to please, favor, will, purpose, with the idea of benevolence included.

If you were to be given a ticket for being a vessel of God s goodness, would you, or could you be convicted?

Is it God working within you, to will and work for His good pleasure?

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 ESV

Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, Matthew 25:41 42 ESV

I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they also will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you? Matthew 25:43 44 ESV

Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:45 46 ESV

The resurrection of the dead has eternal implications: eternal life or eternal torment, we choose by our actions or lack of actions in Jesus.

Are we a vessel of Gods work within, to will and work for His good pleasure?

Are you and I giving up ourselves to serve the interests of God for His pleasure, not ours?

What are Gods priorities? Love God, Love People, Love Well - the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

a more practical translation - Serve God, Serve People, Serve Well. Are you serving God? Are you serving people?

A church can only love God as well as its least loving. A church can only serve God as well as it s least serving.

Are you loving and serving Christ well?

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 ESV

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36 37 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 ESV

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are! Matthew 23:15 HCSB