the Importance of Loving Life in Biblical Teachings

1 Peter 3:10-12

Loving Life

Luke 14.26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Acts 20.24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 2 Cor 5.8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Phil 3.20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Heb 11.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Loving Life Why Would One Love Life ? Peter s words help us to see a great truth and a acquire or retain a deeper appreciation for our creator Peter quotes from Psalm 34:12-14 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (Psalms 34.11 15 KJV) The background of Psalm 34 is David portraying himself as mad or changed his behavior before the Philistine king Abimelech Cf (1 Sam 21:10-13) in order for the king to drive him away The Psalm contrasts God providential care for His people and His punitive providence of the wicked (JFB)

Loving Life Why Should We Love Life ? Peter utilizes the Psalm for the same purpose The instruction given in verses 8-11is to those who will love life or means to love life or see good days (NASB); [to be inclined, disposed]

Loving Life Why Would We Love Life ? David in Psalm 34 states that he is teaching the fear of the Lord Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD (Psalms 34.11 KJV) And then states What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? (Psa 34:12 KJV) Specifically in David s case, the providential deliverance God continually provided to him from his enemies In Peter s context the idea is the love and care shown by God s people toward one another, based on the calling and blessing of God s promises, and as with David, speaking not just about deliverance from our enemies, but from death itself!

Loving Life Why Do We Often Hate Life? So often, people only observe the evil that is done in the world which causes a disdain for life As a result many people love life to hate it! The Christian should not ignore those realities, However, we must not love life in order to be constantly impassioned by the evil Our love of life is to witness and participate in doing good. Luke tells us how Jesus constantly provided the opportunity for men to love life or see good (Acts 10:36-38) Jesus says to those of His day would desire to see His day again (Lk 17:20-37)...

Loving Life Life Is A Gift From God Ecclesiastes gives great insight to the words of Peter and David Life Under The Sun (on the earth) is Vanity and Vexation of spirit Without God at the forefront of all things

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after t (Ecclesiastes 2.17 23 NIV)

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of Go (Ecclesiastes 2.24 26 NIV)

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of Go (Ecclesiastes 2.24 26 NIV)

What does the worker gain from his toil?I have seen the burden God has laid on men. (Ecclesiastes 3.9 15 NIV)

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man (Ecclesiastes 7.13 18 NIV)

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man (Ecclesiastes 7.13 18 NIV)

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. (Ecclesiastes 9.7 10 NIV)

However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be man (Ecclesiastes 11.8 9 NIV)

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [d

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