1 1 PETER - A MESSAGE OF GRACE AND HOPE. 2 3 4 DOES GOD DIRECT YOUR LIFE ?

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1 PETER - A MESSAGE OF

GRACE AND HOPE

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DOES GOD DIRECT YOUR LIFE ?

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IS YOUR TIMING HIS TIMING ?

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PHONY REALIZATION

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WHAT DOES GOD NEED TO DO TO CAUSE US TO REALIZE THAT THE BIBLE HE GAVE TO US REALLY IS HIS WORD TO US ……...

…… HIS WORD OF LOVE, GRACE …...

AND HOPE !

GENUINE REALIZATION

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And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Cor 12:7-9

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Jer 9:23-24

Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;

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but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.

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Summary Outline

( 1 Peter 5:10,12 ) - Theme

Theme – The Grace of God is Seen in the :

Salvation of the Believer 1:3-12

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Sanctification of the Believer 1:13-2:12

Submission of the Believer 2:13-3:12

Suffering of the Believer 3:13-5:14

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"The main purpose of this epistle was to strengthen the readers so they would persevere through their persecution with the right attitude. Peter did this by showing that God's grace provided all they needed for strength. In a larger sense, the purpose is to help Christians know how to live as aliens in the world." ( Thomas Constable, DTS )

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Peter says, " but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Pet. 4:13

At least 15 times Peter in the epistle refers to suffering. Some believers were suffering for living godly lives - 1 Pet. 2:19+; 3:14+; 4:1-4, 15-19.

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Some were suffering reproach for the name of Christ. Some were ridiculed - 3:9-10. He knew soon there would be persecution from Roman authority - 4:12. History tells us of the insane Nero who burned Christians on the stake.

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HOW SHOULD I PRAY FOR A BELIEVER GOING THROUGH

TRIALS ?

Ask Him to remove the trial ?

Ask that the person would experience grace, strength and wisdom from God and that …….

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…….the person would even come to know what God is wanting to do in his life and yield to it……that there would be a biblical response to the trial.

It may be an issue of God’s discipline or just God bringing us to greater spiritual maturity thereby making us more fit for the purposes He has for us in His Kingdom.

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V. 1 Peter wrote the letter using Silas ( accompanied Paul on his 2nd missionary journey ) as his secretary.

"aliens” ( temporary residents on a foreign land ) - Jewish / Gentile Christians scattered outside of Israel in Roman Provinces in Asia Minor, now W. Turkey; North of the Taurus Mountain range of S Turkey which extends c.350 mi roughly parallel to the Mediterranean coast of S. Asia Minor.

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• Believers are chosen pilgrims on earth headed for their home in heaven where their citizenship resides - Phil. 3:20

V. 1

"chosen” - elect - ( eklektos ) - see 2:9 - based solely on God's

sovereign choice. cf. 2 Thes. 2:13; Eph. 1:4

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V. 2 "foreknowledge"

WHAT IT IS NOT

It is Not Man Centered

God did Not look down the corridor of time to see who would or would not trust Christ. It does not mean that God chose the elect because He knew beforehand they would believe the gospel (the Arminian position).

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WHAT IT IS

GOD CENTERED

prognwsin - knowing beforehand, noun, only used twice in the N.T. (here and Ac 2:23 in Peter's sermon). Compare with the verb in Rom. 8:29 (proginwskw ; know already, know beforehand; choose from the beginning, choose beforehand. )

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God's foreknowledge is never passive but causative and determinate, active in bringing about His purposes including His elective purposes in regards to bringing ones to Himself. ( 1 Pet. 1:20 is same word as Rom 8:29 ).

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Therefore since He knows and plans what will transpire beforehand, Nothing He plans escapes His sovereign will. As Constable puts it : God chose them because He determined beforehand that they would believe the gospel.

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God’s Sovereign Will

This is God's secret plan to determine everything that happens in the universe.

Mostly hidden Cannot be learned in advance Cannot be missed - should be humbly accepted At times it includes evil acts & foolish decisions, but will ultimately lead to God's glory Gen. 50:20

Dan. 4:25, Acts 2:23, 4:27,28, Eph. 1:11, Rev. 4:11, etc.

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Totally revealed Should be learned for guidance Can be missed through ignorance or disobedience Includes only those behaviors & attitudes that conform to God's character thereby glorifying Him 2 Cor. 6:14, 1 Thes. 4:3, 5:18

God’s Moral Will

This consists of the revealed commands in the Bible that teach how men ought to believe & live.

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"sanctifying work" - the HS sets us apart from the domain of darkness to eternal life ( Col 1:13 ) with Him for His service

V. 2

the purpose given - obey Christ because of the death of Christ on the Cross which cleanses us of sin ( 1 Jn 1:7 )

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Note : Believers were elected in order that they might obey the gospel, and be cleansed from the guilt of sin by the blood of Christ, through the sanctifying power of the Spirit. It was not their obedience that made them the elect, but they were chosen that they might obey, and thus obey through the influence of the Spirit.

CONCLUSION

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This is clearly the doctrine of this passage. ( 2 Thess 2:12,13; Eph. 1:11 ) Cf. 1:22 . Also cf. with “believe the truth” - 2 Thess 1:8; 2:12; 1 Pet. 4:17; Jn. 3:36

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And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 1 Pet 5:10,12

The Theme - God of all Grace

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The word is used in every chapter for a total of 10 times in the epistle - 1:2, 10, 13; 2:19 (favor), 20 (favor); 3:7; 4:10; 5:5, 10, 12

GRACE

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B.B Warfield says : Grace always expresses the idea of good will, kindness, favor, love. Grace, with him, is not only pure kindness, kindness which has not been earned (had it been earned, it would have ceased to be kindness), but kindness to the undeserving in the positive sense, kindness to the ill-deserving. Grace is very distinctly and very emphatically love to the ill-deserving.

GRACE

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Warfield also puts it this way -

GRACE

“Free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving” An act of unmerited divine favor and kindness; grace is Jesus paying for our sins for no other reason than the fact that He loves us and wants to give us everything He has planned to give us.

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It is God’s goodness, love, mercy, and kindness toward people without regard to their work, deeds, and in spite of what they deserve.

( Warfield )

Eph 2:4-6; 2 Pet 1: 4,12-15

GRACE

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Mercy is an act of compassion; forbearance shown especially to an offender

COMPARE GRACE WITH MERCY

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Generally speaking it is the absence of turmoil. Theologically speaking in a salvation context, it means no hostility against God - “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;” Rom 8:7

What is Peace ?

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Jesus said,"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety. Ps 4:8

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Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:1

"The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.” Isa 26:3

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The Sovereignty of God

But None of This Teaching may make sense in difficult times if we do not grab hold of and hang tight on the Sovereignty of our Omnipotent God, realizing He is in full control all the time and knows what is best for us.

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Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?" But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Ps 115:1-3

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V. 3…...the God ( speaks of all His attributes and character - omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, etc. ) & Father (speaks of His love, discipline & watch-care

- Granville-Sharp grammar rule - God is both God and Father at the same time in the same person ------ and He is the Father of Christ - hence Christ’ deity.

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Jesus Cries on the cross : My God, My God ...........Mt. 27:46Jesus Cries on the cross : Father, into Thy hands…...... Lk. 23:46

Same grammar rule as in 2 Pet. 1:1 & Titus 2:13

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NOTE on the Trinity - Definition

There is only one God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence. Each has a different role or function.

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give new birth or life to, give birth again ( aor. act. participle - causal ). Only God causes us to have a new birth( same word in v. 23 only perf. part. )

( from anagennaw )

Born again -

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Compare :

John 3:3,7 : “born again” here means a heavenly birth, born from above, …….regeneration, Not reincarnation !

( from gennaw and anwqen )

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Means of regeneration :

It is God who regenerates ( Jn.1:13 )

according to His will ( Jas. 1:18 )

through the Holy Spirit ( Jn. 3:5 )

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when a person believes( trusts, Jn. 1:12 ) the Gospel

as revealed in the Word ( 1 Pet. 1:23 )

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“Hope” appears 4 times in this little epistle - 1:3,13 ( as a verb ),21; 3:5 (verb) and 3:15

HOPE

Paul says -Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Rom 15:13

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Definition :

Most certainly the divinely guaranteed prospect before us; a confident expectation knowing God will do as He promised. It is a LIVING hope

WHAT IS HOPE

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The writer of Hebrews reminds us :

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast ....... Heb 6:19

"It serves as an anchor for our storm-tossed souls." ( Constable )

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Peter reminds us :

Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet 1:13

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The command ( aor. imper. ), "Hope fully, completely," means be intensely desirous and fully confident that Jesus Christ is coming again ( not the rapture here ) with grace for his people.

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We know from scripture Christ is coming back to earth to set up His kingdom. Peter says this is a hope we have. It is guaranteed because God cannot lie and because Christ has gone before us preparing a place for us.

…….in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, Titus 1:2

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So Peter calls it "living hope." What does he mean then?

“Living hope” would be fertile, fruitful, productive hope. Living hope is hope that has power and produces changes in life.

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Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. I Jn 3:2-3

Hence, Living hope is hope that has power and produces changes in life.

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It is important because Christ’s resurrection - Primarily showed that : 1) it was "God, who raised Him from the dead” ( v. 21 )

Why does Peter mention the resurrection here? Why is this important here?

I.e., Christ’ resurrection is proof that God was satisfied that His death paid the penalty for the sin of mankind - Rom. 1:4; Rom. 4:25

Secondarily : 2) Therefore, we Do have a living, genuine hope

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V. 4 ( obtain ) - Not in the Gk. text but supplied

"imperishable" - Same as Rom. 1:23 ( incorruptible God ); 1 Cor. 15:52 ( the dead will be raised imperishable ); 1 Tim. 1:17 ( Now to the King eternal, immortal )

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"reserved" - ( from threw keep, keep under guard - perf. part. - see2 Tim 1:12 : I know whom I have believed and I am convinced ( persuaded - perf. tense ) that He is able to guard ( keep safe ) what I have entrusted to Him until that day ( speaking of the stewardship of the gospel ).

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V.5 "protected" - pres. part - milit. term - garrisoned

God is our protector & therefore our guarantee, Satan has no power here ( 1 Jn. 4:4 )

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dynamite power ( dunami" )

"through faith" - this is the means, agency ( dia w/gen. )

"salvation" here is our ultimate salvation when we have our glorified ( resurrection ) bodies in heaven

revealed in the last time

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The glorification is stated as already consummated, good as done though still in the future in the fullest sense ( proleptic aorist, describing a yet future event though treating the event as though it were already completed )

Consider:

Rom 8:29-30

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Compare :

"When therefore he ( Judas ) had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;"John 13:31

His glorification was yet future when He said this in the Upper Room prior to crucifixion.

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V.6

rejoice - same word in Mt. 5:12 , 1 Pet 4:13 "...... for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Neh 8:10

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Trials - a period or process of testing; a period of testing via external events that result in persecution, suffering, various afflictions, hardships, etc. that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God wants us to grow in our spiritual maturity

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Matt 11:28-30Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy ( i.e., kind, loving, good merciful - Gk. ), and My load is light

(a light burden we ourselves can bear - fortivon).

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Gal 6:2-5Bear one another's burdens ( bavro" - a heavy burden too heavy for one person ), and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load( fortivon ).

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2 Cor 4:17-18For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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Rom 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

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V.7

"proof" ( test ) - dokimion ; testing - with a view of approval at the end of the testing ( the goal is a Godward desired result ), - Jas 1:3 translates the same Gk. word as “testing”

"faith .....tested by fire" - Cf. Jas. 1:3, 12 ( tested - pres part. - dokimazw ) - a purification process

Trials prove the reality of one’s faith

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"revelation" - apokaluyi" cf. Rev. 1: 1

( same Gk word ); 1:7 - His second coming at end of Trib.

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V.8" and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory”

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John 20:27-29Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

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V. 9

Obtaining - komivzw ( pres. part., middle voice ) - to receive what was promised; In middle voice as here : receive, obtain; receive back, be paid back. Idea is Rewards for how we allowed that living faith to be real and applied to our life, especially in times of trials.

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"outcome" = end, conclusion ( telo" ) - hence, our ultimate salvation - glorified bodies at the rapture & life in the Kingdom. Not deliverance from the penalty of our sins here. Referring to the second return of Christ as indicated also by v. 10

"souls" - the person himself - yuxh

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Consider :

Are we to thank God for all that is truly evil ( not of God ) that happens to some folks? Would that not contradict Jas. 1:13?

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Eph. 5:18-21

And do not get drunk ( pres. pass. imper.) with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled ( pres. passive; or middle imper. ) ("Allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit" - middle voice; or, "be filled" - passive; is possible ) with the Spirit,

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*speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, *singing and *making melody with your heart to the Lord; always *giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and *be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

( * = pres. participles describing results of "be filled" )

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NOTE v.20always giving thanks ( pres. part. ) for all things ( "concerning all kinds of things" - Juper pantwn - no article - abl. case ) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Eph 5:20

Note : All can mean "all without distinction of class, group, race, sort, situations, etc." OR "all w/o exception" - Key is context and Biblical truth elsewhere in the scriptures.

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What does all mean?"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44

• Draw = coerce as dragging in with a net - helkw

John 12:32"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

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Titus 2:11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

1 Tim 4:10For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially ( in particular - “malista” - Gk. ) of believers.

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in everything ( en panti - "in ( not for ) all kinds of things, situations" - dative case ) give thanks ( pres. imper.); for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thes 5:18 - see above note.

In the verse above, if God meant in every occasion w/o exception He would've said : "en panti kairw" ( from kairos, < time >, phrase means "on every occasion" - dative case - as seen in Eph 6:18 : "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,"

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So, we would not thank God for : the man who brutally killed one's child; the doctors who abort/murder babies; Muslims who kill Christians; the man who raped one's wife; lies told by others to harm others; etc.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Rom 12:9Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Isa 5:20