Author: Jon Mitchell

1 Peter: Unity, Sympathy, Love, Tenderness, Humility, and Blessings

Even though others might not do the same with us, we must still “keep (our) tongue from evil.”  Even though everyone else might lie and benefit from those lies, we must keep “(our) lips from speaking deceit.”  Even though we are surrounded by evil, we must “turn away from” it and “do good” instead.  Even though striking out contentiously to those who do the same with us might feel like it would help us and bring us peace, we must recognize that peace will never come that way.  Instead, we must “seek peace and pursue it,” even if no one else is doing so.… Read More 1 Peter: Unity, Sympathy, Love, Tenderness, Humility, and Blessings

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The Parable of the Growing Seed

As hinted by the parable, we may not understand exactly the true working of the power God’s Word uses to help us grow (cf. Mk. 4:26-28).  But we do know by faith that God’s Word contains the power for spiritual life and growth when it is planted in an honest and good heart.  We can use that to help us grow spiritually, and we must do so more and more in our lives. God’s Word is powerful (Heb. 4:12).  It is filled with Spirit-giving life (John 6:63).  It is the reason behind us being born again (1 Pet. 1:22-25).  It is the instrument God uses to save our souls (James 1:21). Each of us wants to grow closer to God and to grow spiritually.  If that is to happen, we MUST  receive the seed of God’s Word into our own hearts, and our own hearts must be honest and open to the message of that Word, regardless of what it is (Lk. 8:15; Acts 17:11).  The only way that will happen is if we are humble (James 1:21) and long for God’s Word the same way babies long for milk (1 Pet. 2:2).… Read More The Parable of the Growing Seed

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1 Peter: Braiding Hair and Following In The Footsteps of Sarah

No, it’s not a sin for women or men to care about how they look on the outside and make efforts to look beautiful or handsome.  This is why the NASB has verse 3 saying, “Your adornment must not be merely external…”  What the inspired apostles command here is that more effort be made to make the real you – how you are on the inside – beautiful in the Lord’s eyes because you faithfully work to be more like Jesus in every way.… Read More 1 Peter: Braiding Hair and Following In The Footsteps of Sarah

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