Introduction
- Romans 3:23-24
I Peter – A letter about “the true grace of God”
- I Peter 5:12
- I Peter 1:14-19 – God judges according to our work.
- I Peter 3:7 – Our behavior can affect our relationships with God.
- I Peter 3:10-13
- I Peter 4:4-5 – We will answer for what we do on earth.
- I Peter 5:5
- I Peter 3:21
- No contradiction:
- 1 Peter 1:17 – judged according to works
- I Peter 1:18-19 – redeemed with blood of Christ
The example of Jericho – Joshua 6
- Joshua 6:1-2 – God was going to give them the city.
- Joshua 6:3-5 – God’s instructions
- Joshua 6:16-20
- They had to meet the conditions to receive the city God was giving them.
- Deuteronomy 9:6
- No contradiction:
- Joshua 6:2 – “I have given Jericho into your hand”
- Joshua 6:20 – “they took the city”
| Jericho | Salvation | |
|---|---|---|
| God gives it | Joshua 6:2: “I have given Jericho into your hand” | Ephesians 2:8: “it is the gift of God” |
| You didn’t earn it | Deuteronomy 9:6: “it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land” | Ephesians 2:8, 9: “not of yourselves … not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” |
| And yet there are conditions | Joshua 6:3: “You shall march around the city …” | Matthew 7:21: “he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” |
- Ephesians 2:8
- Matthew 7:21
- Hebrews 11:30 – They worked by faith.
- Ephesians 2:8 – This doesn’t mean to just sit and believe and you’ll be saved.
The example of Naaman – II Kings 5
- II Kings 5:1-4 – Naaman’s condition.
- II Kings 5:10-12 – Naaman refuses to obey.
- II Kings 5:13-14 – Naaman obeys and is clean.
- II Kings 5:15 – Naaman gives glory to God – not the water.
- We might reject God’s message because it is different than what we expected it to be.