“Spheres of Living”
Apostle Aje Pelser
20/12/03

Sometimes we need someone to burst the bubble in which we have been stuck in for years, in order to get into the right sphere of operation.
The apostle Peter contrasts different spheres of life in his epistles. Discern which spheres you are living in according to Scripture and decide whether or not you need to change your “sphere of living.”
This is a study of the different “spheres” of life mentioned in Wuest’s expanded translation of the New Testament.
Throughout Peter’s epistles he mentions “spheres of living” that one should escape:

1. Cravings of Men – in the broader sense: the lust of the flesh or a desire/ longing for what is forbidden. Reference: 1 Pet. 4 lists the different cravings of men. Apostle Peter exhorts us: “You have spent enough time in this sphere…”
2. Passionate cravings – in context of the corruption or moral decay, that is in the world through lust. Through the Divine nature of God and His precious promises we can escape this sphere of decay. 2 Pet. 1:4
3. Covetousness. False prophets operate in this sphere and fabricate words with which they exploit God’s people. God must deliver you out of a sphere of exploitation in which false prophets take advantage of you. 2 Pet. 2
4. Passionate desires of that which defiles. The unclean acts of the old nature defiles the new creation, repent and allow God’s Word to wash you from the defilement of this sphere of sin.
5. Ignorance causing blasphemies. In the last days mockers will arise. Lack of experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ in your life keeps you in this sphere. People who can’t access the power of God for their lives give up and become mockers of the truth.
6. Error – people order their behaviour in the sphere of error. Religious spirit keeps people in this sphere. Most people involved in religion are sincere; but sadly are sincerely wrong, thinking that through religious duty they will be saved or reach enlightenment. The only way to access eternal life is through Jesus Christ, the Way the Truth and the Life.
7. Unbridled lust – the life of the lawless takes place in this sphere.

In contrast he also emphasises the believer’s “spheres of living”:

1. Will of God.
Strong's Greek Number 2307
Greek word: thelema thel'-ay-mah
• what God wishes or has determined shall be done
• God’s will is to bless mankind through Christ
• His will is revealed in His commands and precepts
• His will reflects His choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

2. Experiential knowledge of God – even Jesus Christ our Lord. Process described in II Peter 1:5-9
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:11 (KJV)
These things that one should diligently do are mentioned below as:
“The process of gaining experiential knowledge of God”
Add to your faith:
Virtue;
And to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance (self control);
And to temperance patience;
And to patience
Godliness;
Brotherly kindness;
And charity.
These things should be in you abound in you,
Then you become fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You gain insight
You See the future
You realise that you are cleansed from sin
You make your calling and election sure
Then because of your experiential knowledge of God, you gain an entry point into His everlasting kingdom.

3. Holy behaviour and pieties– we should be exotic persons in this sphere; and it helps to be looking for the Day of the Lord: expect His coming.
“Pious” according to the Oxford dictionary, is an adjective meaning “devout, religious; mindful of duty to parents.”

4. Grace –
Strong's Greek Number 5485
Greek word: charis khar'-ece
2 Peter 3:18
“Be constantly growing in the sphere of grace…”
Wuest’s New Testament, an expanded translation.

• “That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: for instance – grace of speech.”

• It also means good will, loving-kindness, favour

• Grace speaks of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

• Divine grace alters the spiritual condition of one governed by its power

• It includes the benefit, gift, bounty and reward for turning to God and receiving His gift of grace through Christ.

5. Experiential knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
• Know Jesus as your Lord, of all.
• Know Jesus as your Saviour in every situation

6. New Sphere in which righteousness is permanently at home.
2 Peter 3:13; God’s kingdom is manifested through people who are right with God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Such people also possess peace that passes understanding and a joy unspeakable and full of glory that originates from God’s Spirit.

7. In Christ – the sphere by which we obtain an entrance into His eternal kingdom

Appeal:
Read 2 Peter 3:1-12
This atmosphere will disintegrate! The heavens will be dissolved; the elements will be scorched and the earth will be burned on the Day of the Lord.

Will you be granted an entrance into His eternal kingdom?
When the earthly spheres of cravings; lust; error and ignorance are destroyed: be sure that you are already living in the sphere in which righteousness is permanently at home.

Pray and ask God, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name, to transport you from the wrong sphere of living into His sphere of eternal life.