God's Word in Your Life God has tremendously blessed his children by making his Word available. In it He has stored all the treasures of wisdom and understanding. Many have called it the "textbook for life." Through the deposit of the Holy Spirit in every believer's life, God has unlocked these treasures and has laid them at our disposal. There is great power in the Word of God. The Bible itself states that "...it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe..." (Romans 1:16). Through it the Christian has guidance, access to godly wisdom, freedom, empowerment for service and the ability to resist temptation. In Ephesians 6:17 the Word of God is equated with a sword. A sword is to be used skillfully in battle as both an offensive and a defensive weapon. God has equipped you with such a weapon for your spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12.) The Holy Spirit enlightens us to the Word and uses it through us to accomplish the work of God. A Christian who refuses to devote himself to God's Word stands directionless in life with only human wisdom to guide him. (1 Corinthians 1:2) He also stands defenseless against the evil influence of the world and against the attacks of Satan. Memorize John 8:31-32 Incentive to Get Into God's Word What relationship does your attitude towards the Word have in your spiritual growth? (1 Peter 2:2) __________________________________________________ In your own words explain the meaning of John 8:31-32. __________________________________________________ Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is devoted to instructing us about God's Word. In the following verses list what God's Word can do for your life. v.24 __________________________________________________ v.28 __________________________________________________ v.50 __________________________________________________ v.62 __________________________________________________ v.93 __________________________________________________ v.98 __________________________________________________ v.99 __________________________________________________ v.130 __________________________________________________ v.165 __________________________________________________ The Importance and Usefulness of God's Word What is the importance of God's Word to us? Matthew 4:4 _________________________________________________ Job 23:12 __________________________________________________ What does this verse indicate about the priority of God's Word in our lives in relationship to what we can do without in order to make time for the Word? __________________________________________________ In the Christian life there are times when the busyness of life overwhelms us. Many times a believer's response is to put God's Word on the shelf and say "There is no time for it right now." According to Jesus, what activity is more important to us than any other? (Luke 10:38-42) __________________________________________________ What has your response been to God's Word in times of busyness? __________________________________________________ What can change our lives? (1 Thessalonians 2:13) __________________________________________________ The Word of God has a transforming effect in our lives. What does Romans 12:1-2 state are the results of this transforming power? __________________________________________________ In what ways can the Bible be useful in directing your life? (2 Timothy 3:16) __________________________________________________ The Power of God's Word How is God's Word referred to in the passages below? 2 Samuel 22:31 __________________________________________________ Jeremiah 23:29 __________________________________________________ Philippians 2:16 __________________________________________________ Hebrews 4:12 __________________________________________________ What does Jesus call the Word of God in John 17:I7? __________________________________________________ Write down your own definition for this word - truth. __________________________________________________ What powerful effect does truth have in your life? Psalm 25:5 __________________________________________________ Psalm 40:11 __________________________________________________ Psalm 119:105 __________________________________________________ John 5:24 __________________________________________________ John 8:32 __________________________________________________ How is the word power (might) equated with God's Word in the following passages? Psalm 29:4-5 __________________________________________________ Luke 24:19 __________________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 6:7 __________________________________________________ Hebrews 1:3 __________________________________________________ For the believer, it is very important to understand the power associated with God's Word. For our battle is not against other men but is against the spiritual forces of evil in this world and the attacks of Satan upon us. Satan's goal for believers is to make them ineffective for Christ. A Christian who has a negligent attitude towards God's Word will become exactly that. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and answer the following questions. What is our struggle against? (v.12) __________________________________________________ According to verses 10-11 can we stand on our on strength? __________________________________________________ What will help you stand firm? (v.14) __________________________________________________ What is God's Word referred to in verse l7? __________________________________________________ Explain in your own words what this passage means to you? __________________________________________________ How did Jesus use the Word in Matthew 4:1-11 and what was the result? __________________________________________________ According to Psalm 119:9-11 how can you use God's Word to stand firm against the devil's schemes? __________________________________________________ Obedience - Action to Take Why does God want us to obey all his commands? (Deuteronomy 6:24) __________________________________________________ What should be your goal when you read the Bible (James 1:22) __________________________________________________ What three ways should you approach the Word of God? (Ezra 7:10) __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ There are five methods of scripture intake to help you get a firm grasp of God's Word. From the Scriptures below list each method next to the appropriate passage. a) Psalm 1:2-3 ____________________ b) Psalm 119:9-11____________________ c) Acts 17:11____________________ d) Romans 10:17____________________ e) Revelation 1:3____________________ Reflect on Colossians 3:16. From this verse and the information learned through this lesson, how can you better allow Christ's Word to dwell in you richly? __________________________________________________

The Husband's Responsibility There is an Italian proverb, which reads, "When a wife sins the husband is never innocent." I don't believe that is always true but there is an important truth implanted within that proverb. The wife very much reflects to the world whether her husband is a success or failure as a marriage partner. When the wife is unhappy outside of her house, chances are it is because she is unhappy in side of her house. When she is a joyous, loving woman it is probably due largely to the way her husband has been caring for her needs. One man has said that "the countenance of a man's wife is the barometer of his success as a husband." Of course there will be exceptions (Hosea for example). But one of the main reasons that the woman in Proverbs 31:1031 became such a godly example, I believe, is verses 28-29, "Her Children rise up an bless her; Her husband also and praises her, saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.'" His consistent concern for her needs resulted in helping produce a woman whose "price is far above rubies.'' In verse 7 Peter gives husbands some divine "secrets to success" in the art of being a godly husband. 1.Love your wife whether it is costly or convenient. The verse begins "likewise, you husbands." Christ loved us at the cost of His very life (1 Pet 2:21-25), and likewise "Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave him-self for it" (Eph 5:25) True love truly costs. 2.Make spending time with her a top priority. "Dwelling together with them." The word used here is sunoiked meaning "to dwell together." A husband and wife are no longer two independent people, but are now "one flesh" (Gen 3:16). If a husband and wife are spending too much time away from each other, it won't be long before the relationship begins to tear apart. 3.Put a premium on attaining wisdom. It is difficult to say for sure what the phrase "according to knowledge" (kata gnosin) is referring to. I believe that it is referring primarily to understanding the ways of God and the ways of your wife. It is looking at life from God's point of view. What tremendous security it gives the Christian wife when she knows her husband is trying to guide the house by the edicts of God's Word! Truly this is the house, which will stand long after the house built on the shallow sands of man's wisdom has collapsed. It is crucial also to understand the wife's strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities (cf. Prov 3:13-26). 4.Let her know her great value in your life. Giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel." A man lives for what he truly values.God should have no rivals for first place in our hearts.The wife should have no rivals for second place.We give time, attention, and effort to that which we truly value. These are the things, which the wife truly needs, and desires to fulfill her need for security.Also, the wife is spoken of as "the weaker vessel." This means that she was not designed to handle certain pressures, which will cause her to crack.The husband needs to be aware of this and be sure he is handling those pressures. We are given two reasons for following these principles: We are coheirs of the grace of life. The married couple either enjoys life together or endures life together. Marriage is usually heaven or hell without too much middle ground. If a couple would enjoy life instead of simply endure it, then the husband needs to take very seriously his biblical role and responsibilities. So that our prayers are not hindered. Breakdown in the relationship with your wife will result in breakdown of one's relationship with God. Guidelines for Godliness and Growth (3:8-12) Now in verses 8-12 we see guidelines for godliness and growth. There are callings to be: Likeminded (Phil 1:27) Sympathetic (Heb 13:3). Literally "to suffer with." having Brotherly Love (1 Pet. 1:22) Compassion (eusplanchna)--"to have insides turned with compassion" (Matt 9:36) Friendly Forgiving (Col 3:12-13) Note our response to being railed upon: to bless and do good (1 Cor 4:11-13). The reasons are worth noting: 1.For you were called to this. . ." The ability to love the unlovely is one of the great characteristics of our heavenly Father. This characteristic should also mark His children on earth (Matt 5:43-48). 2.That you should inherit a blessing."Two great principles were involved in this, I believe: First, as we endure undeserved suffering a godly manner (i.e., "not returning evil for evil or railing for railing") we lay up further eternal inheritance, which cannot diminish in value or time (Jam 1:12; Heb 10:34-36; Col 3:23-24; see notes on 1 Pet 1:5). When we look back at the end of our lives from the vantage point of what was of true value; we will see that the undeserved suffering we endured here is not even worth comparing to the glory to be revealed (Rom 8:17-18). To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear, Then He'll call me someday to my home far away, And His glories forever I'll share. So I'll cling to the old rugged cross Ti11 at last my trophies lay down Yes, I'll cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it one day for a crown. Earthly suffering is meant to result in eternal satisfaction. Secondly, I believe there is an aspect of inheriting a present blessing by enduring afflictions. God will provide supernatural peace, joy, love, etc., which outside conditions do not provide (1 Cor 1:4-5). He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater He sends more strength when the labors increase To added affliction He addeth His mercy To multiplied trials His multiplied peace. As your days, so shall be your strength" (Deut 33:25). Verses 10-12 are another quote from Psalm 34. We had an earlier quote from Psalm 34 in 2:3. It seems possible that Psalm 34 was in the backdrop of Peter's mind as he wrote this book. Psalm 34 was written by David after he had feigned to be a mad man in the presence of Abimelech (Achish) (1 Sam 21:10-15). The reason he fled into the camp of the Philistines was because of being un-justly persecuted by Saul. What a picture this provides of the plight of the people, which Peter was writing to.The emperor Nero was persecuting them unjustly and they were being tempted to flee for refuge to the camp of this world system. In order for them to do this it would require that they change their normal behavior as Christians. This is why Peter spends so much time exhorting them to not compromise, but to "pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." And so he says that if we wan t a truly abundant life ("For he that will love life and see good days") we need to purify our lips, life, and personal relationships. "Let him refrain his tongue from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it." The main reason for this kind of life is found in verse 12. "It is pleasing to God and it is this kind of life God's eyes are searching for (1 Cor 16:9). Principles from 1 Peter 3:13-22 3:13-14 James Barrie once wrote, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." Another man pictured this principle by writing, "That heart beats happiest which beats for others." As one surveys the Scriptures it is not long before he discovers a basic principle for happiness: Living to benefit others is essential for benefiting self. The writer of Proverbs put it this way, "The liberal soul shall be made fat and he that waters shall be watered himself" (Prov 11:25). In verses 10-12 of chapter 3, Peter has been driving home this vital truth by using a quote from Psalm 34.He continues building upon it in verse 13, "and who is he that shall harm you if you be followers of that which is good?" Do you want to live peaceably among men in this world? Then be followers (lit. imitators) of that which is good in the sight of God. "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him"(Prov 16:7). This however, immediately raises at least one important question. What about the promise of 2 Timothy 3:12 that all who "live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"? Peter hastens to expound in verse 14, "but and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you. This optative phrase indicates that suffering is not the day in and day out experience of one who is living godly in Christ Jesus. However, it is still a very real possibility and something to be aware of. Yet he points out to us a tremendous truth concerning suffering "for righteousness sake." We can actually be happy in the midst of this undeserved suffering! The word he uses for happy (mabarios) is the one Christ used for "blessed" in the beatitudes (Matt 5:310).One of the major thrusts of the beatitudes was that of finding true happiness in life. And Christ made it crystal clear that happiness springs not from outside conditions but from inward character. Like the air-conditioned car in the middle of a blistering summer, we can go through the heat of outside persecution and yet remain content inside (1 Cor 1:5). This is one good reason we need not fear those who would trouble us.Fear not the reproach of man neither be afraid of their revilings.For even I, is he who comforts you?"(Isa 51:7,12). 3:15 Verse 15 gives us another key to overcoming the fear of man. ''But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts." This is a quote from Isaiah 8:12-13. The Israelites are being tempted to join hands with the Assyrians in order to avoid attack. Isaiah is warning them to trust in God alone and to seek the living God for safety, not the godless Assyrians. The root of the whole problem was that they were afraid of the wrong person. "Sanctify the Lord of Hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread" (Isa 8:13). One man has said that "the fear of God displaces all other fears." John Witherspoon wrote, "It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man." And what we are being told here in verse 15, I believe, is that we are to set our hearts upon pursuit of the praise of God. We are to be consumed with the passion of being ''approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). The world system would have us join hands with it and seek refuge in its false security. Yes, we, like the Israelites of Isaiah 8 need to learn to fear the right person. Riches I need not, nor man's empty praise Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and Thou only first in my heart High King of heaven my treasure Thou art. Peter anticipated that such a life will make an impact on those around us. He writes, "and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." The word for "answer" (apologia) speaks of making a defense. It is used in Acts 22:1 and 2 Timothy 4:16 as a legal appeal. The Christian should be prepared to give a good defense for why he believes what he does. "The heart of the righteous studies to an-swer; but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (Prov 15:28). There are a number of excellent books which will give one a surplus of apologetic material to use in defense of the faith. It is well worth one's time and money to invest in this area. Note that he says people will ask about the "hope" that is in you. Obviously this hope must be clearly visible in one's life in order for others to ask about it. May I suggest two visible by products, which will be the inevitable result of this hope? Joy and Peace. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). These two characteristics of peace and joy are proof positive as to how real our hope is. There is a certain manner in which we are to impart this defense for the faith. with meekness and in fear." May we always maintain the attitude of being one beggar sharing with another as to where to find bread? We have seen the need for godly content in verse 15. Now in verses 16 and 17 we are shown the need for godly character. Content and character appear to be the two primary legs upon which Christ likeness stand. Content without character nullifies the drawing power we have on others (i.e., character acts as the salt which creates thirst). On the other hand, character without content nullifies the changing power we have on others (i.e., content satisfies that thirst). This is why Christ in sending out the disciples told them, "Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be you therefore wise as serpents (content) and harmless as doves (character)" (Matt 10:16). Both must be properly balanced and vitally united in order to really make an impact on others (1 Tim 4:16). 3:16-17 We begin with an exhortation to maintain a "good conscience." George Washington once commented, "Labor to keep alive in our breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience." The conscience is one of the great gifts God has given man. One man has said our conscience is ''the compass of our soul" helping direct our steps along the paths of righteousness (cf. Acts 24:16, 1 Tim 1:19; 3:9). There are various benefits to be gained through the maintaining of a good (clear conscience). Two are mentioned here in verses 16 and 17. 1.No real cause for accusation can be made to stick. Though men may speak badly of us now; one day they will be ashamed of their false accusations. There is a far greater satisfaction to suffering undeservedly than for suffering deservedly. When my conscience tells me that I am at fault when I am suffering, then I can really only endure it (Heb 12:5-l0). But when my conscience clearly tells me that I am suffering for godliness, and then I can truly rejoice in it (1 Pet 1:6; 2:19; Jam 1:2). 3:18 The supreme example of suffering for doing well is given to us in verse 18. As Peter has done so often in this letter, he holds up to us the Lord Jesus Christ as an impeccable illustration of this important principle. Christ lived His entire life for the benefit of others yet His reward was not worldly congratulations but a wooden cross. He alone one was completely pure and He alone died for the completely perverse. Alas and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I? Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity: grace unknown, and love beyond degree. Note the phrase "once and for all." Christ died one time for all our sins. To say that a person can lose his salvation is not only to contradict this passage but also to diminish God's glory in the whole realm of salvation. It is, in fact, to say that Christ's death was not quite enough to get me to heaven. "This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic" (Jam 3:15). This view of God's grace is an out and out slander on the character of the Father of lights who alone can offer salvation as an utterly free gift. "For by grace are you saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8-9). May the crystal clear water of God's grace never be muddied by the works of mortal man? Christ was "put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit." This phrase is crucial to understanding the rest of chapter three. In chapter 4:1-2 Peter will pick up this theme again and show its awesome significance for our lives. The major thing to keep in mind now though, is that the Spirit is the energizing force of all true living. It is God's means for achieving His lifestyle through us. Justin W. Nixon put it well: "The difference between physical power and spiritual power is that men use physical power, whereas spiritual power uses men." "It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh profits nothing." (John 6:63). "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall so make alive your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you" (Rom 8:11). Just as a candle is dependent upon its flame to fulfill its purpose for being created, we also are utterly dependent upon the Holy Spirit to fulfill our purpose for being created (Isa 42:57). 3:19 In verse 19 we see that the Spirit of Christ is not new, but has been in existence for a very long time. In Chapter 1:11 we saw that the Spirit of Christ spoke through the O.T. Prophets. We now see in 3:19-20 a specific example of one of these O.T. Prophets, which Christ's Spirit spoke through--Noah. Of all the prophets, which Peter could have picked, why did he choose Noah do you suppose? It seems to me that the answer would be very helpful in interpreting the rest of the passage. May I suggest that Noah is chosen because of the similarities of his time with the time in which Peter was writing Peter and all the N.T. Writer felt that they were living in the last time before Christ's return. In 1 Peter 4:7 he writes, "But the end of all things is at hand." And Peter would well remember the words of Christ in Matthew 24:37 "But as were the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." A.Impending judgment Noah--water (Gen 6:17) Peter--fire (2 Pet 3:10) ·God's longsuffering Noah (1 Pet 3:20) Peter (2 Pet 3:9) C.Spiritual condition of people--disobedient Noah--ark (1Pet 3:20) Peter (1 Pet 2:7-8) D.Building program Noah--ark (1 Pet 3:20) Peter--church (1 Pet 2:5) Other parallels could be drawn but these are enough to illustrate our point. Verse 19 has been taken to prove that Christ descended unto hell and gave the prisoners there a second chance to be saved. We know from Hebrews 9:27 that there is no "second chance" after death to be saved. What this verse is saying rather, I believe, is that the Spirit of Christ spoke through Noah (Noah is referred to as a "preacher of righteousness" in 2 Peter 2:5) to those spirits, which are now in prison. The "spirits in prison" could refer to: Fallen angels (who are a prominent part in pre flood history) Note the reference to these fallen angels being chained in darkness (2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6). Men who refused to repent and are now in the prison of hell as a result choosing against God. Men who were imprisoned by their sin nature (Isa 42:6-7). Since this is a Messianic prophecy it would fit in well with the Spirit of Christ who preached through Noah. I lean more heavily towards the first option, primarily because of the word he uses to identify these beings (pneumasi) "spirits." When Peter refers to people in verse 20 he uses (psuchai) "souls." Actually these beings of Genesis 6 may very likely have been fallen angels who were inhabiting human bodies, so a combination one and two is also possible. 3:20 In verse 20 we see that God is longsuffering toward man but his judgment will come. Each day that Noah worked on the ark brought the world a day closer to judgment. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is of God by faith." (Heb 11:7). Noah's entire life was enslaved by his focus on the future. Knowing what was to come (i.e., the flood) completely gripped his priorities and pursuits in life. How crucial this is to our lives. We know that an-other Judgment will be coming from 2 Peter 3:10. This judgment is one of fire and it will consume all the earth. Are we spending our time and effort to build things God has vowed to destroy? This is not to say that it is wrong to build things and be constructive. Look at Christ and Paul, a carpenter and a tent maker. Yet their consuming passion in life was not building the physical but building spiritually into the lives of men and women. Only two things are going to last eternally from this planet: the word of God and the souls of men. If we want a life, which will be eternally significant, then we need to spend it for these two things. "Only one life 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." "Life in time remains without meaning if it does not find its meaning in eternity" (Russian scholar Berdyaew) "The secret of life is to set the hours against the centuries" (Emerson) "The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it" (William James) See Isaiah 51:6 3:21 Verse 21 has been used to say that water baptism is essential for salvation. We know that this cannot be true from 1 Corinthians 1:17; Gal 3:26; Rom 3:28 and many other passages. The ark with eight people passing through the waters of Godjudgment appear to be the "like figure" which baptism represents. This fits in perfectly with Romans 6:1-13 and Colossians 2:12, etc. We have died, been buried, and resurrected with Christ (Rom 6:3-5). We have been placed inside the ark, have passed through the waters of God's judgment, and are now resting on top of Mount Ararat. And all this is possible because of Christ (the ark in Peter's analogy). Is this referring then to water baptism or Spirit baptism (1 Cor 12:13)? There is great controversy on this point. I think Peter is really referring to both. When we are born again, we are baptized into the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13; John 3:5). It is this baptism, which saves us as far as getting into heaven. However, in order for us to get a vivid picture of exactly what happens when we are baptized into the Holy Spirit, Christ commanded the ordinance of water baptism (Matt 28:19). Water baptism does not save us but it graphically illustrates Spirit baptism, which does save us. I personally think (and may I hasten to say that this is pure conjecture) that the writers of the N.T. Assumed that all the Christians they wrote to had followed the command of water baptism as an expression of their faith. And so they could freely write about being saved by baptism yet never mean at all that water baptism was essential for salvation. Rather it was the vehicle through which saving faith toward God had been expressed and Spirit baptism illustrated. The rest of verse 21 seems to support this. Peter hastens to explain in essence that baptism is not an outward ritual ("not the putting away of the filth of the flesh") but rather the expression of an inward reality ("but the answer of a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"). 3:22 Verse 22 Just as the ark passed through the waters of God's judgment and rests triumphantly atop Mount Ararat, Christ passed through the flood of attacks and assaults upon Him and is now seated triumphantly at the right hand of God. Crown Him the Lord of life: Who triumphed o'er the grave. Who rose victorious to the strife of those He came to save; His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring and lives that death may die." Principles from 1 Peter 4:1-11 During the Great Depression there occurred a very interesting incident on a farm in West Texas. This particular farm produced very little and the family who lived on it was just able to get by. Life was always uncertain and financial pressure never seemed to relax its grip. One day some men knocked at the door and asked if they might drill on part of the land. After getting permission they proceeded to drill and soon struck oil. As a result the family received several million dollars and moved to a new home and began a completely new way of living. The ironic thing about the whole incident was that this family had lived for many years in poverty because of being unaware that they possessed great wealth. They lived in rags though they possessed great riches. Unfortunately, this story is repeated everyday in the lives of many (if not most) Christians. We learn from Ephesians that when we were born again God "blessed us with all spiritual blessing in the heavenliest in Christ" (Eph 1:3). Peter describes this vast reservoir of spiritual wealth like this: "According as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: By whom are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises that by these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet 1:3-4). Why is it then, that though we possess these many gifts of God's grace our lives remain ragged in many areas? To put it simply, the answer many times I believe, is the failure to understand and apply positional truth. Calvary is the secret of it all. It is what He did there that counts and what He did becomes a force in the life of a Christian when it is appropriated by faith. This is the starting point from which all godly living must take its rise." Miles Stanford "This passage (Rom 6:1-10 which describes positional truth) is the foundation as well as the key to the possibility of a "walk in the Spirit." L .S. Chafer As we begin chapter four, we find Peter driving home this critical and crucial principle to the hearts of his readers.