WORD From The Woods
1 Peter 4:1-11
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self- controlled and sober- minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
I think that this passage has a really important message to all believers, but it’s especially important to us who work in the logging industry. Peter charges his readers to be good stewards of God’s grace. Now, I don’t think anyone understands good stewardship better than those of us who work in the woods. We’ve all see the “cut and run” practices of some timber companies, and we’ve seen good, responsible, sustainable stewardship of other company’s management practices. The timber companies that have invested in good site prep and planting, and maybe a good thinning program will see a huge reward when they get to final harvest. It takes hard work, great investment and a willingness to see the end result and not run for the quick money here and now to have a healthy sustainable forest that will produce for the coming generations. The grace that God has poured out on us is no different, in that it requires good stewardship on our part. If we come to Christ and receive his grace but never tell those around us about it then we are wasting the most precious resource that we have ever been given. If we receive God’s grace but don’t seek after Him and allow Him to work in us and through us so that the world around us sees a difference, then we are taking His grace for granted. In this passage, Peter tells us not to follow the world around us into all kinds of human passions such as drunkenness, lust and idolatry. He says that other people will be surprised when we don’t follow them in these things and they will ridicule us, but we need to remember that they will all give an account to God one day for what they have done. This is exactly why the gospel needs to be shared with the world around us! If we follow the world in various worldly passions, then we cheapen and waste God’s grace. We need to remember that this life is short and what we do now matters for all eternity! As you go out this week and work hard at whatever it is you do, remember that if you have received God’s grace through Jesus Christ, we must work even harder to be good stewards of that grace!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
1 Peter 4:1-11
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self- controlled and sober- minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
I think that this passage has a really important message to all believers, but it’s especially important to us who work in the logging industry. Peter charges his readers to be good stewards of God’s grace. Now, I don’t think anyone understands good stewardship better than those of us who work in the woods. We’ve all see the “cut and run” practices of some timber companies, and we’ve seen good, responsible, sustainable stewardship of other company’s management practices. The timber companies that have invested in good site prep and planting, and maybe a good thinning program will see a huge reward when they get to final harvest. It takes hard work, great investment and a willingness to see the end result and not run for the quick money here and now to have a healthy sustainable forest that will produce for the coming generations. The grace that God has poured out on us is no different, in that it requires good stewardship on our part. If we come to Christ and receive his grace but never tell those around us about it then we are wasting the most precious resource that we have ever been given. If we receive God’s grace but don’t seek after Him and allow Him to work in us and through us so that the world around us sees a difference, then we are taking His grace for granted. In this passage, Peter tells us not to follow the world around us into all kinds of human passions such as drunkenness, lust and idolatry. He says that other people will be surprised when we don’t follow them in these things and they will ridicule us, but we need to remember that they will all give an account to God one day for what they have done. This is exactly why the gospel needs to be shared with the world around us! If we follow the world in various worldly passions, then we cheapen and waste God’s grace. We need to remember that this life is short and what we do now matters for all eternity! As you go out this week and work hard at whatever it is you do, remember that if you have received God’s grace through Jesus Christ, we must work even harder to be good stewards of that grace!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-