The story has been told of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had woven a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. And so they went on. Having escaped, Nolan burst out and exclaimed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere God is, a spider\u2019s web is like a wall,\n\n\n Where God is not, a wall is like a spider\u2019s web.\u201d1108<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nQuiet Time<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 295\u2013296.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we continue studying Peter\u2019s letter to the scattered sojourners who were facing fear and persecution as believers, we of the incredible blessing of being Born Again into God\u2019s family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week we saw that in God\u2019s abundant mercy, He has begotten us again. We now have a living hope that is secured by the resurrection of Jesus. We have an incorruptible inheritance that will never fade away that is reserved in heaven, waiting for our arrival. We have a secure future as Born Again children of God. Our text this evening shows us that not only did God secure our future, but he guards our very beings right now. We are safe in His Protective Custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Peter 1:5 KJV
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGuarded By The Power of God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nKing James Version Chapter 1
\nWho are kept by the power of God <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word \u201cguarded\u201d (TEV kept safe; Gute Nachricht \u201ckeep and protect\u201d) is a military term, used to describe the act of protecting a city from its enemies, and here it is used of God securely protecting the believer from all dangers (compare Mft \u201cprotects\u201d; Knox \u201caffords you safe conduct\u201d). What keeps the Christian safe is God\u2019s power. It is, of course, God himself who guards, and he does so because he is powerful, and therefore is able to protect the Christian. -UBS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Same Greek Word as in the Following verses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:\u201d (2 Corinthians 11:32, KJV) <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nPhilippians 4:7 KJV
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThru the Bible Vol. 54: The Epistles (1 Peter) Suffering and the Security of Believers
\nThe story is told of a Scotsman, who was typically economical, leaving instructions that only one word should be engraved upon his tombstone. But that one word, taken from this verse, is one of the greatest I know. It was the single word KEPT. He was \u201ckept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philippians 1:6 KJV
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGuarded By The Power of Faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nKing James Version Chapter 1
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy (??) the power; through (???) faith; unto (???) salvation. By, indicating the efficient cause; through, the secondary agency; unto, the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner\u2019s Sons, 1887), 632.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This protection is God\u2019s response to our faith which we exercised in the Lord Jesus as Saviour and which now rests in Him as our Preserver. Our faith lays hold of this power, and this power strengthens our faith, and thus we are preserved.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest\u2019s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026\u201cfaith\u201d here not simply as belief in some theological or religious truth, but a vital and close relationship with either God or Jesus Christ, characterized by commitment to and trust in him. It is this vital relationship which makes it possible for God to protect the Christian. One can speak of God\u2019s power as the objective aspect of being kept safe, and of faith as the subjective. Here as elsewhere in the New Testament, the relationship between what God does and what the believer does is not always made clear; it is nevertheless made clear that whenever God acts, there is always an element of human response for God\u2019s action to be effective in the life of the believer. So here, God\u2019s power can be understood as the instrument whereby the Christian is protected, and faith as the cause of, or reason for, the effectiveness of this protection.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the First Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1980), 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romans 5:2 KJV
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGuarded Until the Mission is Over.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nKing James Version Chapter 1
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nReady (???????). Stronger than about to be, or destined to be, implying a state of waiting or preparedness, and thus harmonizing with reserved.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner\u2019s Sons, 1887), 632.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The salvation spoken of here is of course the glorification of our bodies. We received our justification at the moment we believed. We are receiving our sanctification, namely victory over sin and growth in the Christian life now. We will yet receive that part of salvation which awaits us in Glory.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest\u2019s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 Timothy 4:18 KJV
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGod will protect them, not like a guard watching prisoners who will in the end be condemned when the judge gives his verdict, but like a soldier guiding and protecting people as they move through hostile territory toward the freedom of friendly lines. \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every preparation for the final unveiling of this salvation is completed. The curtain is about to go up. Only the final signal is awaited. Thus there is no question that God plans and has in fact accomplished salvation for his people, nor that the last times are here. The only question is the exact timing of its revelation to the rest of the world.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 53\u201354.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A young couple visited a boarding care home which housed children for adoption. The care taker brought out all the children who were clean (recently bathed), well dressed, properly schooled in manners; for this couple\u2019s inspection and selection. As they passed down the line and spoke to each child, they did not find the one they were looking for to adopt. They asked the care taker: \u201cDo you have any more children?\u201d He replied: \u201cYes, but he has not been cleaned up or dressed for viewing today.\u201d The couple said immediately: \u201cThat alright, can we see him?\u201d After a few minutes, the child was brought out and stood with the rest of the children. He was dirty, face unwashed, hair uncombed; clothes ragged and torn, no shoes; and his head was hanging down in shame, as he stood next to the other children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a few minutes of somber discussion; and wiping the tears from their eyes; they said to the care taker: \u201cWe want this child!\u201d The man immediately replied: \u201cBut he is not as nice as the other children; he’s unmannered, and unloved by his own parents.\u201d He continued: \u201cAnd we have been unable to get him to behave; why do you want him?\u201d The couple paused, to regain their composure and replied: \u201cWe see in him, the blessings of God for our home, and a better hope in life for him.\u201d With shame the man asked: \u201cDo you want us to clean him up?\u201d They coupled replied, lovingly: \u201cNo, we want the child just as he is right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s how God sees us; and he will take us, just like we are right now, not only reserving for us an inheritance in Heaven, but also Keeping us save in His protective custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:43 PM January 22, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The story has been told of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon. Awaiting his death, he saw … Continue reading Protective Custody<\/span>