WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.870 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.948 --> 00:00:03.758 Day 48 00:00:04.454 --> 00:00:10.244 dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep 00:00:10.244 --> 00:00:14.294 away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 00:00:15.134 --> 00:00:18.644 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. 00:00:19.334 --> 00:00:23.804 Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable 00:00:23.804 --> 00:00:27.764 behavior and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 00:00:28.604 --> 00:00:32.234 For the Lord's sake, submit to all human authority. 00:00:32.594 --> 00:00:37.574 Whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed for the 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:42.374 king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 00:00:42.724 --> 00:00:48.344 It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who 00:00:48.344 --> 00:00:50.594 make foolish accusations against you. 00:00:51.269 --> 00:00:52.739 For you are free. 00:00:52.949 --> 00:00:54.509 Yet you are God's slaves. 00:00:54.749 --> 00:00:57.719 So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 00:00:58.199 --> 00:01:01.829 Respect everyone and love the family of believers. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:04.739 Fear God and respect the king. 00:01:06.149 --> 00:01:09.149 You who are slaves must submit to your masters. 00:01:09.149 --> 00:01:11.729 With all respect, do what they tell you. 00:01:12.149 --> 00:01:15.989 Not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 00:01:17.024 --> 00:01:21.464 For God is pleased when conscious of his will you patiently 00:01:21.464 --> 00:01:23.234 endure unjust treatment. 00:01:24.134 --> 00:01:28.544 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. 00:01:29.144 --> 00:01:32.654 But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, 00:01:32.984 --> 00:01:34.244 God is pleased with you. 00:01:35.084 --> 00:01:39.704 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering just 00:01:39.704 --> 00:01:41.234 as Christ suffered for you. 00:01:42.134 --> 00:01:45.794 He is your example and you must follow in his steps. 00:01:46.994 --> 00:01:50.654 He never sinned nor ever deceived anyone. 00:01:51.374 --> 00:01:55.784 He did not retaliate when he was insulted nor threaten revenge When 00:01:55.784 --> 00:02:01.394 he suffered, he left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 00:02:01.664 --> 00:02:07.784 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be 00:02:07.784 --> 00:02:10.754 dead to sin and live for what is right. 00:02:11.504 --> 00:02:16.274 By his wounds, you are healed once you were like sheep who wandered 00:02:16.274 --> 00:02:21.254 away, but now you have turned to your shepherd, the guardian of your souls. 00:02:22.424 --> 00:02:27.014 In the same way you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. 00:02:27.314 --> 00:02:32.024 Then even if some refuse to obey the good news, your godly lives will 00:02:32.024 --> 00:02:33.734 speak to them without any words. 00:02:34.424 --> 00:02:37.934 They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. 00:02:39.239 --> 00:02:43.799 Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive 00:02:43.799 --> 00:02:45.659 jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 00:02:46.169 --> 00:02:50.909 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within the 00:02:50.909 --> 00:02:55.679 unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 00:02:56.549 --> 00:02:59.369 This is how the holy women of Old made themselves beautiful. 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:03.959 They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 00:03:04.829 --> 00:03:09.869 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham and called him her master. 00:03:10.619 --> 00:03:14.069 You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what 00:03:14.069 --> 00:03:20.279 your husbands might do, in the same way you husbands must give honor 00:03:20.279 --> 00:03:24.749 to your wives, treat your wife with understanding as you live together. 00:03:25.289 --> 00:03:28.799 She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner 00:03:28.799 --> 00:03:30.299 in God's gift of new life. 00:03:31.019 --> 00:03:33.779 Treat her as you should, so your prayers will not be hindered. 00:03:35.144 --> 00:03:39.884 Finally, all of you should be of one mind, sympathize with 00:03:39.884 --> 00:03:41.864 each other, love each other. 00:03:41.864 --> 00:03:46.934 As brothers and sisters be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. 00:03:47.564 --> 00:03:49.244 Don't repay evil for evil. 00:03:49.664 --> 00:03:51.464 Don't retaliate within insults. 00:03:51.469 --> 00:03:55.964 When people insult you, instead pay them back with a blessing. 00:03:56.804 --> 00:04:00.224 That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his 00:04:00.229 --> 00:04:02.564 blessing for the scriptures say. 00:04:03.749 --> 00:04:09.629 If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking 00:04:09.629 --> 00:04:12.179 evil and your lips from telling lies. 00:04:12.689 --> 00:04:18.299 Turn away from evil and do good search for peace and work to maintain it. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:23.729 The eyes of the Lord, watch over those who do right and his ears are open to 00:04:23.729 --> 00:04:29.909 their prayers, but the Lord turns his face against those who do evil now. 00:04:30.584 --> 00:04:34.814 Who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good, but even 00:04:34.819 --> 00:04:38.534 if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. 00:04:38.924 --> 00:04:41.474 So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. 00:04:42.074 --> 00:04:45.734 Instead, you must worship Christ as lorded of your life. 00:04:46.244 --> 00:04:50.714 And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 00:04:51.344 --> 00:04:53.924 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 00:04:54.614 --> 00:04:55.904 Keep your conscience clear. 00:04:56.984 --> 00:05:00.464 Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they 00:05:00.464 --> 00:05:03.674 see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 00:05:04.544 --> 00:05:09.434 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good if that is what God 00:05:09.434 --> 00:05:11.954 wants than to suffer for doing wrong. 00:05:12.974 --> 00:05:16.274 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. 00:05:16.574 --> 00:05:21.344 He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. 00:05:22.274 --> 00:05:28.484 He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the spirit, so he went 00:05:28.574 --> 00:05:34.064 and preached to the spirits in prison, those who disobeyed God long ago, when God 00:05:34.064 --> 00:05:39.104 waited patiently while Noah was building his boat, only eight people were saved 00:05:39.104 --> 00:05:40.784 from drowning in that terrible flood. 00:05:41.324 --> 00:05:46.694 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you not by removing 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:51.194 dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. 00:05:52.049 --> 00:05:55.949 It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:05:57.089 --> 00:05:58.799 Now, Christ has gone to heaven. 00:05:59.189 --> 00:06:04.619 He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities 00:06:04.619 --> 00:06:06.989 and powers accept his authority. 00:06:08.309 --> 00:06:13.139 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:17.279 yourselves with the same attitude he had and be ready to suffer too. 00:06:18.029 --> 00:06:22.409 For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 00:06:23.189 --> 00:06:27.149 You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you 00:06:27.149 --> 00:06:29.309 will be anxious to do the will of God. 00:06:30.209 --> 00:06:34.859 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people in, enjoy 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:40.769 their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness, and wild parties, 00:06:41.009 --> 00:06:42.939 and their terrible worship of idols. 00:06:44.069 --> 00:06:48.509 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge 00:06:48.509 --> 00:06:53.279 into the flood of wild and destructive things they do, so they slander you. 00:06:54.239 --> 00:06:58.169 But remember that they will have to face God who stands ready to judge 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:00.449 everyone, both the living and the dead. 00:07:01.349 --> 00:07:04.499 That is why the good news was preached to those who are now dead. 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:09.419 So although they were destined to die, like all people, they now live 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:11.099 forever with God in the spirit. 00:07:12.524 --> 00:07:14.534 The end of the world is coming soon. 00:07:15.524 --> 00:07:19.034 Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 00:07:19.574 --> 00:07:23.684 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other. 00:07:24.014 --> 00:07:26.834 For love covers a multitude of sins. 00:07:27.674 --> 00:07:31.634 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 00:07:32.684 --> 00:07:37.904 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. 00:07:38.444 --> 00:07:40.544 Use them well to serve one another. 00:07:41.264 --> 00:07:42.704 Do you have the gift of speaking? 00:07:43.304 --> 00:07:46.364 Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. 00:07:47.474 --> 00:07:50.654 Do you have the gift of helping others do it? 00:07:50.654 --> 00:07:55.214 With all the strength and energy that God supplies, then everything 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:59.534 you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ, all glory 00:07:59.534 --> 00:08:02.234 and power to him forever and ever. 00:08:02.864 --> 00:08:03.164 Amen. 00:08:04.979 --> 00:08:09.449 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through as if 00:08:09.449 --> 00:08:11.489 something strange were happening to you. 00:08:12.209 --> 00:08:17.879 Instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in his 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:21.959 suffering so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.939 when it is revealed to all the world. 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:29.669 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed for 00:08:29.669 --> 00:08:32.369 the glorious spirit of God rests upon you. 00:08:33.404 --> 00:08:38.504 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making 00:08:38.504 --> 00:08:43.064 trouble, or prying into other people's affairs, but it is no shame 00:08:43.064 --> 00:08:44.834 to suffer for being a Christian. 00:08:45.344 --> 00:08:48.584 Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name. 00:08:49.394 --> 00:08:54.254 For the time has come for judgment and it must begin with God's household. 00:08:54.944 --> 00:08:59.114 And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who 00:08:59.119 --> 00:09:01.214 have never obeyed God's good news. 00:09:02.234 --> 00:09:08.504 Also, if the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners? 00:09:09.554 --> 00:09:14.084 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right 00:09:14.504 --> 00:09:18.674 and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 00:09:20.174 --> 00:09:24.254 And now a word to you who are elders in the churches. 00:09:25.304 --> 00:09:28.994 I too am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. 00:09:30.224 --> 00:09:34.154 I too will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. 00:09:35.144 --> 00:09:39.764 As a fellow elder, I appeal to you care for the flock 00:09:39.764 --> 00:09:41.804 that God has entrusted to you. 00:09:42.644 --> 00:09:47.954 Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly, not for what you will get out of it, 00:09:48.194 --> 00:09:50.354 but because you are eager to serve God. 00:09:51.254 --> 00:09:55.694 Don't Lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own. 00:09:55.699 --> 00:09:56.594 Good example. 00:09:57.719 --> 00:10:02.459 When the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never ending 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:06.179 glory and honor in the same way. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:11.789 You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders and all of you. 00:10:12.089 --> 00:10:15.119 Dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another. 00:10:15.119 --> 00:10:19.619 For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:23.429 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God. 00:10:23.864 --> 00:10:27.074 And at the right time, he will lift you up in honor. 00:10:27.644 --> 00:10:31.694 Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you. 00:10:32.984 --> 00:10:34.544 Stay alert. 00:10:35.084 --> 00:10:37.544 Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. 00:10:38.144 --> 00:10:40.544 He p prowls around like a roaring lion. 00:10:40.844 --> 00:10:42.824 Looking for someone to devour. 00:10:43.664 --> 00:10:47.144 Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. 00:10:48.029 --> 00:10:52.049 Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through 00:10:52.049 --> 00:10:54.239 the same kind of suffering you are. 00:10:55.529 --> 00:10:59.309 In his kindness, God called you to share in his eternal 00:10:59.309 --> 00:11:01.709 glory by means of Christ Jesus. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:08.729 So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore support and strengthen 00:11:08.729 --> 00:11:14.789 you, and he will place you on a firm foundation all power to him forever. 00:11:15.389 --> 00:11:15.989 Amen. 00:11:17.999 --> 00:11:22.799 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:24.839 commend to you as a faithful brother. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:29.399 My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you 00:11:29.404 --> 00:11:33.779 that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. 00:11:34.469 --> 00:11:36.599 Stand firm in this grace. 00:11:38.129 --> 00:11:43.019 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings and so does my son Mark, 00:11:43.769 --> 00:11:45.659 greet each other with a kiss of love. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:48.989 Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:53.609 This concludes today's Immer Reading experience. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:54.959 Thank you for joining us.