1 Peter 2:18-20 – Christian behavior in working with tough bosses

In these verses, Peter focused on slaves in the believers’ fellowship. It was very likely that there were more slaves than masters among his readers, so he wrote to tell them about their relationship with their masters. He exhorted them to adopt an attitude of respectful submission to them regardless of how their masters were treating them. In other words, whether the masters treat them gently or harshly or unreasonably, the way to respond would still be, to be respectful toward them.

In verse 19, we are told that when slaves respond respectfully toward their master despite suffering unjustly, they would find favor with God. And because this was God’s prescribed manner, it would be a good enough reason for slaves to comply. As they consciously pleased God by bearing up with their hardship and suffering, their conscience toward God would remain intact.  

Peter painted two scenarios for the readers’ consideration. It is one thing to be treated harshly when one has done wrong, and has to suffer and endure the wrong and the mistake that he made. But it would be quite another if he was being treated harshly when he had done right, and he had to suffer for it. It is in the second scenario that he would receive God’s approval when he endures the harsh treatment of the master.

How do we apply these biblical injunctions of Peter? None of us are slaves in the true sense of the word. But we are all employees and have to report to some immediate superiors and employers. They can be seen as equivalent to the masters whose treatment we will have to endure. Let’s live with a clear conscience before God by acting right in our work, so that we give them no cause to malign us unnecessarily. But should we have an unreasonable one, just explain our action as best as situations allow but leave God to vindicate us. There’s really no point to tear out our hair just because of their unreasonableness.

Bear in mind that while happiness may keep us pleasant, it is trials that will keep us strong. We must know that while sorrows will keep us human, it is failures that will keep us humble. And success may keep us glowing, but know that it is faith in God that will keep us growing and going.

Beloved, let us do what we can and leave God to do what we cannot. He will vindicate us in due course for He is our true and ultimate boss. In both pleasant and unpleasant encounters God will use them to mold and perfect us. Let’s endure them for God’s sake!        

1 Peter 2:13-17 - The believers’ behavior in society

Peter shows us what exemplary life is all about and how it would silence the critics in verses 11-12. The kind of lifestyle Peter talked about must affect every facet of life. In both the society and home; whether with people in authority or commoners; slaves or masters; husbands or wives, believers must know how to relate with each other. So in verses 13-17, he patiently explained how believers ought to conduct their lives regarding civil authority. In dealing with people within the society, Peter first called on believers to relate rightly with those in authority. He said that believers must submit to all in authority. In writing this in the imperative mood, Peter did not give his readers any option. This was a command to adhere to.

He knew that submission must first begin with the attitude. So here he urged believers to have an attitude of submission to all in governmental authority. For these authorities, he said, were appointed by God to ensure orderliness within a society. Governmental authority is seen here to have a two-fold task: to punish those who do wrong and reward those who do right.

The basis why believers should submit is stated in verse 13 as well. The phrase “for the Lord’s sake” speaks clearly what Peter meant. By responding rightly to civil authority, a believer would be honoring God. The issue here should not be whether the person to be shown respect is worthy of it or not, but that in so doing, one is actually submitting to God’s will.

Furthermore, verse 15 tells us that in being obedient to the law of the civil institution, believers would demolish unnecessary criticism. In verse 16, Peter told believers that freedom received through Christ should not be used as an excuse to do evil. Instead, this freedom should enable them to witness for God so as to advance His purpose.

Peter then rounded up in verse 17 by summarizing the believers’ obligation to the society. He gave four injunctions in two pairs. The first pair called for respect to be shown to everyone but love must be given to fellow believers. The second pair exhorted believers to fear God but honor must be given to the king. Peter probably had to include this because the Emperor Nero, the cruel emperor, was on the throne at that point in time.

When we begin to see all issues in perspective, we know how we ought to live when it comes to our relationship with the government. God has placed them over us, hence as we submit to them, we are indirectly submitting to God and honor His name. And in so doing, we will have a civil society. Praise the Lord! 

  

1 Peter 2:11-12 – Our mission as God’s beloved

It is interesting to note that Peter used an endearing term to address the believers in verse 11. He called them “beloved”. It gives us the feeling that believers are privileged to have this relationship with God. Being God’s people, their spiritual uniqueness and eternal purpose are all bound in Christ. With their status made clear, he was going to discuss about the price they had to pay for that privilege.

Peter wanted believers to know that they were obligated and their conduct had to be congruent with their status as the people of God. Bear in mind that Peter was writing to believers living in a hostile society. He was about to deal with godly living in three areas: (1) godly living in the society; (2) godly living in their work places; and (3) godly living in the home. In verses 11-12, he began first by dealing with their personal mission as God’s dearly loved people.

These two verses are vital to effective evangelism. Peter knew the call to be God’s witnesses would entail a godly lifestyle. Actions certainly would speak louder than words. Words carry more weight when backed up by actions. Hence, in verses 11-12, he began with a call for the believers to develop a godly lifestyle. Here, he provided three reasons why they should do so.

Firstly, they were “aliens” and “strangers” of this world. In other words, the believers’ real citizenship is not of this world and they do not belong here. This being the case, they should not be influenced by the lifestyle of this world. Secondly, the indulgent lifestyle of fleshly lusts would be in conflict with their new nature as the people of God. This would lead to turmoil within their souls. Thirdly, their godly lifestyle would also bear testimony to unbelievers. Peter’s point is this: if they, the believers, would persist in their God-honoring lifestyle, the evil accusations of their critics would be proven wrong, and their critics could be won to Christ.  

Peter also knew that for such a lifestyle to be enhanced, it had to begin from the inner man. The word “abstain” indicates the necessity for inward discipline. Abstinence would require strong inner resolve. Here, Peter was urging them to exercise inner restraint on indulging in worldly lusts. Secondly, there is the outward aspect, the part about keeping the behavior excellent. In other words, a believer’s uprightness should be tangible, obvious and visible. Believers must let their light shine for all to see. 

When the church of Jesus Christ understands her mission, we shall be the greatest force on earth that Satan has to reckon with. It must all begin with each one of us recognizing that we are God’s beloved and that our lives are wrapped around our identity in Him, and the eternal destiny we are called to. Bear in mind that we are God’s emissaries in the world today, so let’s live to fulfill our mission for His glory!     

1 Peter 2:9-10 – We are Christ’s royal priesthood

Peter pointed out in the last part of verse 8 that those who had rejected Christ and failed to acknowledge Him, were people appointed to doom. But in contrast to them, those of us who have acknowledged Christ’s Lordship are different. Borrowing words from Isaiah 43:20-21 and Exodus 19:6, Peter shows us the true Christians’ identity. Five things are said about us Christians.

We are (1) a chosen race, (2) a royal priesthood, (3) a holy nation – a holy people, (4) a people of God’s own possession, and (5) the recipients of God’s mercy. Peter further points us to the task we are called to do. We are to proclaim God’s goodness and His generous grace and mercy. And it is to this end and purpose that we are called into this family.  

When we think of the priesthood we think of Aaron. He stood before God on behalf of a sinful nation. His role was intermediary – he stood before God and the people, and by implication would know God more intimately than the people. Today we are all called into that role. What a thought! Think of the impact of our role as priests. We are called to have an intimate relationship with God. We are His holy (set apart) and royal (noble) priest. We are to represent God before the people to instruct them about His plan and to guide them to do what pleases God. Meanwhile we are also called so that we can represent the people before God, to present their needs and petitions to Him.  

These awesome truths should encourage us in our faith. In Christ, our identity and our calling in life had changed. We are privileged to know Christ, our Lord. More importantly, we are also called as proclaimers of the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light. By all means, we should enjoy our privilege of knowing God intimately, but we need to remember that we are also called to make Him and His Kingdom known! 

1 Peter 2:4-8 – We are God’s dwelling place

Since every believer is called into the family of faith, Peter now shifts from focus on the individual to the believers collectively as the spiritual house of God. He was looking at corporate growth of the fellowship of believers. His purpose was to help each believer see the importance of each being related to Christ. The Church is God’s temple and Christ is the foundation stone. Each member must relate to Christ. Because Jesus is the Living Stone, each believer is also described as a living stone. As every believer aligns himself or herself with Christ, all together they become God’s spiritual house to accomplish His purpose. Collectively, they become God’s royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices to Him through Jesus Christ.   

Here Peter quoted from a series of Old Testament Scriptures. In verse 6 he quoted from Isaiah 28:16, saying that believers who put their trust in Christ will never be disappointed. Lives that are built in Him will be able to weather the storms of life. He would be their security and they will never be put to shame. As the foundation stone, Christ will last forever. When believers build their lives in Him, they will never crumble in the midst of storm. There is security in Him and those whose lives are built in Him will never be put to shame. Christ the foundation stone will stand forever and those who built their lives in Him will not be disappointed. Peter added his commentary in the first part of 7, saying that, to the believers, Christ is precious. Why? It is because their security is in Him. He also provided a contrast for those who would not believe in Christ. To emphasize what they would experience for their unbelief in Christ, Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22 to show that those who would reject Christ would lose eventually. They would be rejecting the very stone that God has placed as the Cornerstone. Christ is the main stone in the building of the Church, the people of God. To reject Him would be putting one’s life in danger. These two verses define clearly two categories of people, those who would believe and those who would not. Their outcome would depend on whether they chose to build their lives in Christ or not. But in verse 8, he emphasized the loss to the one who would reject Christ. Peter quoted Isaiah 8:14 to drill home the point that: if they chose disobedience instead of obedience; self-reliance instead of self-abandonment, they would be choosing their ultimate destruction.  

Just think of this: we believers are right smack at the core of God’s work in the world. Corporately, we are the very building of God where His presence dwells. We are God’s unique building, a spiritual house. Each and every one of us individually is a living stone fitted together to be His glorious dwelling. Knowing that we are the center of God’s activity should lift us upward and cause us to bring praises and worship to our matchless Lord. So let’s praise and worship Him!     

1 Peter 2: 1-3 – Growing in the Word of God

In calling the believers to live a life of love, Peter made it clear that it is the imperishable seed, the enduring Word of God that brought about our new birth. Therefore, as believers, we must now hunger for more of the Word that will enable us to grow in our salvation. And in order for the Word of God to take effect in our lives and bring about growth, Peter identified several negative areas that we should deal with, so that they will not impede growth. He said that we must remove all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, as if they were soiled garments to be taken off and discarded. At the back of Peter’s mind, he could well be thinking about his call for brotherly love. That’s why he brought up these five negatives that are incompatible with brotherly love. Malice and deceit had to do with attitude, while hypocrisy, envy and slander are specific actions. All of them, Peter said, ought to be removed.

Then in verse 2, Peter used the term milk to describe the Word. At the same time we need to take note of the two words “newborn infants” that Peter used to describe the believers. The point Peter was getting at is this: as believers, who are brought into the family of God, we must grow up in Christ. He wants the believers corporately to be mature, strong and robust. Hence, newborn spiritual babies should not remain babies. Every believer, especially the spiritual infants, should determine to grow up. And for growth to take place, believers must develop an appetite for the Word of God. Just like babies who would desirously drink their mother’s milk, believers should go for the Word of Truth with similar yearning and desire. Consuming more of the Word will enable believers to grow toward maturity.

Are we growing in Christlikeness? Are we growing in our love for each other? We cannot discount the importance of consuming the Word if we want to grow, both in love and in Christlikeness. We should develop a passion for the Word, then find time to dig and mine for ourselves the rich and nutritious Word of God. As we desire more and more, and consume it more and more, we will definitely grow in Him.

1 Peter 1:22-25 - Living a life of love

Having called them to a life of holiness and reverence, Peter now called on them to demonstrate sincere love for the brethren. This love must begin from the heart and ought to be a duty that they offer to each other in the family of faith. For the evident and mark of a true Christian is love. And it must be love that is sincere and earnest. What Peter said here in these verses is precisely this: true love is genuine and it comes from the heart. And it is something that Christians are called to show. Loving one another should be the natural outcome of one who is born again. How so? Having obeyed the truth, Christians would also have purified souls. This would enable them to love the brethren.

In verse 23, Peter showed that it was the Word of God that brought about the believers’ new birth. And the Word is seen as seed that is imperishable. And this Word is also enduring. It gives life and accomplish God’s purpose, and will never return to the Lord void. This Word will make God and all His fullness known to us. And since God is also love, the Word will also give us love. Peter wants us to know that through the Word of God, not only did we gain Christ but we are also given love.   

In verses 24-25, we find the quotation of Isaiah 40:6-8 that contrast the momentary makeup of natural things with the permanent quality of the Word of God.  Every natural thing will eventually die and pass away, but the Word of God will never disappear. And this is the abiding, eternal Word of God that believers heard. We have found life in God through His Word. So Pater’s point is this, let us then express love in this gift of life. We should be people who are known for living a life demonstrating the love of God.  Earthly life is short and while we are here, why don’t we live life to the fullest, expressing God’s love in the way we live it?