APPLES and ORANGES
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
📖Scripture:
"And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your sojourn, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
1 Peter 1:17-19
🔎Examination:
In this passage, Peter points out that the redeemed life of the saints, the elect exiles (1 Peter 1:1), is completely opposed to (not just different from) the life we inherited from our fleshy forefathers and culture. Christians are not anyone who slaps an Ichthys (fish) sticker on our cars or lives. Christians are EXCLUSIVELY those regenerated by the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body and Bride, urging a conduct marked by fear during their earthly sojourn. The Greek word for "call on" is epikaleō (Strong's G1941), implying an invocation as one appeals to a superior, here God as Father (patēr, Strong's G3962), who judges (krinō, Strong's G2919) impartially (aprosōpolēmptōs, Strong's G678)—without favoritism, as in Acts 10:34 where God shows no partiality.
This judgment is according to "each one's deeds" (ergon, Strong's G2041), echoing James 2:14-26, where faith without works is dead, and Revelation 20:12-13, where books are opened and the dead judged by their works. Yet, this is no works-based salvation; Ephesians 2:8-9 declares we are saved by grace through faith, not works, lest any boast. Rather, deeds evidence regeneration, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:21-23: not all who call Him Lord enter the kingdom, but those doing the Father's will.
Contextually, within 1 Peter, this follows the call to holiness (1:15-16, quoting Leviticus 11:44-45), grounding it in God's immutable nature. Peter writes to scattered believers facing persecution (1:6-7), reminding them their sojourn (paroikia, Strong's G3940)—temporary exile—is not home; Philippians 3:20 affirms our citizenship is in heaven. Biblically, this fits the narrative from Genesis 3:23, where Adam's expulsion begins humanity's exile due to sin, to Revelation 21:3, where God dwells with His people eternally. Our identity as sinners ransomed (1 Peter 1:18-19) demands devotion to Christ's church, the ekklesia (Strong's G1577), as Ephesians 4:11-16 describes members building up the Body for maturity. Regeneration—born again (anagennaō, Strong's G313) as in 1 Peter 1:23—produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), manifesting in church devotion, not isolated piety.
This exposes cults like Jehovah's Witnesses, who deny Christ's eternal deity, teaching He is Michael the archangel, contradicting John 1:1-14, where the Word (logos, Strong's G3056) is God incarnate. Walter Martin's "The Kingdom of the Cults" details how JWs alter Scripture, like inserting "a god" in John 1:1, subverting the eternal Holy Trinity. Similarly, Mormonism claims Jesus as a created being, brother to Lucifer, per Joseph Smith's heretical teachings, refuted by Colossians 1:15-17, where Christ creates all things. Seventh-day Adventism's Ellen White elevates her visions above Scripture, violating 2 Timothy 3:16-17's sufficiency. Even within churches, programs like Celebrate Recovery, if focused on recovery over Christ-centered regeneration, actually foster mini-cults that prioritize therapy over supernatural gospel transformation. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 of such doctrines as from deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons to suit fleshy/carnal desires. Apples and Oranges.
Heresies abound in nominal Western Christianity, where volunteerism replaces regeneration, as in the social gospel peddled by liberals, emphasizing deeds without doctrine, opposed to Romans 1:16's gospel power. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD) treats God as a cosmic therapist or vending machine for self-fulfillment, ignoring Scripture's testimony of trials for purification, sanctification, and maturity. Prosperity gospel heretics (like Joel Osteen and Andy Stanley) promise health and wealth in place of suffering, twisting 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, where Paul's thorn highlights desperate dependency upon God's grace in human weakness. Narcissistic faith seeks experiences over obedience, as Hebrews 5:8-9 notes Christ learned obedience experientially through suffering. Apples and Oranges.
Erosion plagues the modern church through liberation theology, blending Marxism with Scripture, as in Critical Race Theory's racial division against Galatians 3:28's unity in Christ. Prosperity gospel erodes via NAR's dominionism, claiming new apostles rule earth now, ignoring Matthew 28:18's all authority in Christ alone. Deconstructionism dismantles faith without rebuilding on Scripture's Rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Parachurch entities like Samaritan's Purse, while aiding, often siphon time, talents, and treasure from local churches, ultimately scattering and fracturing rather than gathering and uniting (Matthew 12:30), thus undermining the Bride, which Ephesians 5:25-27 depicts as Christ's singular love. Ecumenism blurs lines with cults, but Revelation 18:4 calls for separation from Babylon's falsehoods. Christian Nationalism conflates kingdom with nation, forgetting John 18:36's otherworldly realm. Apples and Oranges.
Christianity's insurmountable divide with Islam lies in core doctrines: the Quran's Surah 4:157 denies Christ's crucifixion, calling it an illusion, while 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 affirms it as of first importance. Islam views Jesus (Isa) as a prophet, not God, per Surah 5:116, see John 20:28's Thomas confessing "My Lord and my God." Robert Spencer's "The Truth About Muhammad" exposes Islam's violent mandates, like Surah 9:29, commanding and commending jihad against infidels (non-believers) until subjugated or eradicated. Raymond Ibrahim's "Sword and Scimitar" documents actual historical jihad, not of peace; "moderates" obey the Quran's calls to chaos and violence (Surah 8:12), while "radicals" are the Muslims who practice peace. Bernard Lewis notes that Islam's theocratic aim for a global caliphate via immigration, infiltration, and conquest by devouring cultures as Daniel 7:23's beast. This isn't bashing ensnared souls but warning of Satan's masquerade (2 Corinthians 11:14), contrasting Christ's peace (John 14:27) with Islam's sword (Matthew 10:34's division by truth). Apples and Oranges.
Thus, our identity in Christ demands honesty, clarity, and church devotion, where regeneration fuels deeds judged impartially, fostering fear (i.e., obedience to the OBJECTIVE WORD of God) as Proverbs 9:10's starting place for all knowledge, wisdom, and correction... which fools despise because they despise God. Apples and Oranges.
🤺Action:
Assess your daily deeds against Scripture's call to holiness (1 Peter 1:16): List recent actions in the building up of your local church based not on the former ways, but God's WORD—did they build the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12) or merely produce entertaining experiences and consume resources? How do they expose if you're truly gathering with Christ or scattering?
Examine your fear (objective obedience) of the Lord by comparing it to God's Word (Proverbs 1:7). Review your obedience to commands (not suggestions or ideas to contemplate) like assembling (Hebrews 10:25). Do you consider those things legalistic obligations or joyful privileges? How have you prioritized church over charity, non-profit, parachurch, or personal pursuits? Test yourself to see if the WORD of Christ indwells you through devoted, functional membership in a local, theologically conservative, God-honoring, Bible-preaching church.
Evaluate God's impartial judgment and its impact on your life (Romans 2:11). Reflect on whether your works align with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) or the obvious works of the flesh via hedonism or nominalism's futility. This objective submission to the examination of God's WORD will help determine if you're contributing to the Bride or abusing her via self-centered faith.
🧠Reflection:
In your Holy Spirit-led prayer, consider confessing any misalignment between your deeds and God's impartial standard, inviting Him to illuminate areas of nominalism or cult-like influences, seeking renewal in regeneration's truth, repenting, and committing to church devotion for Christ's glory. Consider asking the LORD to help you comprehend the objective fear of the LORD... not as subjective reverence or awe. Then, prayerfully process how obedience or disobedience to His Word shapes your identity as a ransomed exile. The difference is as clear as Apples and Oranges.
Click the following link for a short video version of today's post:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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