Beste lezer
In verband met afwezigheid van uw Editor dit weekend 18 en 19 oktober 2025 kunt u de volgende Bijbelstudies lezen en bestuderen:
18-10-2025
Fervent Brotherly Love – I Peter 4:8
by
Pastor John Fredericksen
It was my joy to be the pastor of man who was a tremendous example in fervent brotherly love. Newton frequently came to see me, constantly told me how much he loved me, showered us with gifts to demonstrate his affection, promoted our ministry, prayed for us, and overlooked our faults to see only the positive. He always acted in a way that enabled us to feel completely safe and confident in his love.
We learn from the Book of Acts and the early chapters of Revelation that Jewish believers with a Kingdom hope gathered regularly, as do we today, in local assemblies. These saints had the hope of eternal life and many things in common, but this did not mean they always peacefully coexisted. Therefore, Peter instructed these saints: “And above all things have fervent charity [or love] among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). These saints needed to realize that, as they interacted with one another, there would be nothing more important than demonstrating love toward each other. This by no means minimized the importance of sound doctrine that taught them what God expected in their daily walk. But towering even above sound doctrine was their need to demonstrate love. The Savior had told them: “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Without love, their testimony, and their doctrines, would be worthless before the unsaved. But when genuine love prevailed, it gave a powerful testimony that attracted others to their message. Moreover, they were not to demonstrate a shallow, “on again, off again” sort of love. They were to love one another with a “fervent” love, meaning a love that is intense and without ceasing. The Lord wanted strong, bonded relationships demonstrated by keen affection and kindness. Here’s where the rubber meets the road. When others hurt, disappointed, or angered them: “…charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (vs. 8). That simply means their love for others would overlook the offence while continuing to love the wrongdoer and demonstrate love. If they would obey these instructions, their assemblies would experience harmony and effectiveness.
The Apostle Paul likewise taught that love is the paramount thing needed in our assemblies. Without it, even with doctrinal correctness and busy activity, we are nothing and our work for Christ profits us nothing (I Corinthians 13:1-3). Today, raise God’s standard of love as the highest priority in your church.
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19-10-2025
Honor Your Wife – I Peter 3:7
by
Pastor John Fredericksen
It is with great thankfulness that I can say one of the greatest examples of a husband honoring his wife is my son-in-law, Justin. With great consistency, he is sensitive to his wife’s well-being, considerate of her wishes, loving in how he treats her, respectful of her opinions, and wise enough to regularly seek her counsel. He involves her as an equal in all aspects of family decisions and frequently puts her wishes above his own interests. Though married for years, he still takes her on date nights, and leaves her complimentary notes confirming his love. In short, he treats her like a queen. Justin is a real answer to prayer. My wife and I are very happy our daughter has this man to partner with in life.
When Peter wrote timeless principles about how a man is to treat his wife, he said: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life…” (I Peter 3:7). The word “honour” means to value, esteem to be of the highest degree, or count precious. A man who is treating his wife properly will demonstrate that he views her as the greatest blessing in his life, after his eternal salvation. He will protect her, make her his priority, show her great respect, and cultivate a good relationship with her. In order to dwell with her “according to knowledge,” he will seek to find out what pleases her and what displeases her, then act accordingly to provide an environment where she is happy and content. This will mean more than providing material things; it will mean providing spiritual encouragement and cooperation coupled with love, consideration, and tenderness. He will seek to shoulder the bulk of the stresses of life, knowing she is “the weaker vessel.” That does not mean she is lesser than the man, only that God enables men to bear these burdens better. It is the proper role of the man to shield her when possible. This is how “real men” treat their wives. Beyond peace, harmony, and a stable relationship, treating one’s wife this way also insures that their “…prayers [will] be not hindered” (vs. 7b).
Men, we encourage you to act like a gentleman toward your wife, demonstrate to her that she is your most valued blessing from God, and honor her with great respect. Doing so will pay high dividends here and in eternity.