Life Study of the Bible

This week’s highlight is taken from Thursdays programme. What does “grace” mean in 1 Peter 2:19-20? Much more than merely unmerited favour, Peter reveals a deeper understanding of grace as the inward motivation of the divine life experienced in the midst of unjust suffering. Through such grace, Christ is reproduced as the model (2:21) and manifested to the people around us.

Today, we come to 1 Peter 2:24-25 in which Christ is described as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Witness Lee explains the meaning of these titles as they connect to His loving and caring visitation (2:12).

What does “grace” mean in 1 Peter 2:19-20? Much more than merely unmerited favour, Peter reveals a deeper understanding of grace as the inward motivation of the divine life experienced in the midst of unjust suffering. Through such grace, Christ is reproduced as the model (2:21) and manifested to the people around us.

As earthen vessels we are but clay in the hands of God, yet Peter boldly declares that we have become living stones useful in building up God’s house (1 Peter 2:5). How is such transformation possible? Witness Lee opens up this crucial matter, and points to two monumental events in Peter’s life that shaped his entire ministry.

In 1 Peter 2:6-8 we see Christ presented as a stone who was rejected by the Jews but who has become the cornerstone joining the Jews and Gentiles together for His building. Witness Lee provides an encouraging yet sobering word on the consequences of how man responds to such a Christ.

Peter exhorts us of our need to grow unto salvation and reveals a full salvation comprising of many different phases. Witness Lee opens up the organic aspects of salvation revealed in 1 Peter 2:2-4, and our need to daily experience Christ as both the milk in the word and the living stone for the transformation of our soul.

This week’s highlight is taken from Wednesday’s broadcast., where Witness Lee continues the Life-study in 1 Peter: 1:5-9. We will see how the full salvation of the Triune God is composed of three stages – an initial stage, a progressing stage, and a completing stage and how God’s governmental dealings are used for our perfecting.

Today’s Life-study focuses on 1 Peter 1:10-12. We will see how Peter incorporates the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets and the teaching of the New Testament apostles, and connects them to the Holy Spirit’s application of God’s full salvation to His chosen people.

Why are Christians put into various trials under the divine government of God (1 Peter 1:6-7)? Not only will various trials prove our faith, but also such a proving functions to bring believers into a condition of praise, glory, and honour rather than be put to shame at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Today in the Life-study of 1 Peter, Witness Lee continues in 1 Peter: 1:5-9. We will see how the full salvation of the Triune God is composed of three stages – an initial stage, a progressing stage, and a completing stage and how God’s governmental dealings are used for our perfecting.

The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus brings us into the full enjoyment of God’s New Testament economy. Today, Witness Lee covers 1 Pet. 1:3-5 concerning our regeneration and divine inheritance. This divine inheritance is not merely something related to the future – but rather is our portion today which we can enjoy moment by moment in our spirit.

What are the two levels of wisdom revealed in the New Testament? James presents wisdom (James. 1:5) from the human level by emphasizing Christian perfection whereas Paul presents wisdom from the spiritual level (1 Cor. 1:30) by focusing on Christ, who is the centre of God’s economy. Christians need both levels of wisdom to be proper and complete.

What does it mean for all scripture to be God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16)? A practical understanding of this helps to explain seemingly confusing portions in James writings, which were recorded by God’s inspiration for a particular purpose. Witness Lee focuses on behaving in wisdom in chapter 3:13-18, and contrasts James concept of wisdom with the apostle Pauls.

Witness Lee opens up Acts 21:17-26 which provides crucial context in understanding James point of view. Here we see how James emphasis on the law of Moses reveals his lack of clarity concerning God’s New Testament economy.

Today’s Life-study focuses on James 1:19-27. Witness Lee expounds our need after regeneration to continually receive the implanted Word that is able to nourish, transform and ultimately save our souls.