“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”
After addressing servants and how they should behave because of the gospel, the book goes on to address the husband-wife relationship. Wives are addressed first. The wife is instructed to voluntarily subject herself to her husband. The primary reason given here for her subjection is that her testimony might play a part in bringing him to salvation. Knowing that, we can assume that the man is not fulfilling his biblical role and therefore might not even be treating his wife as he ought.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
1 Peter 2:24-25
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
I, like a sheep, wondered away from my Shepherd. But the Shepherd sought me. At what price? What did it cost Him to rescue His sheep? He suffered and died, bearing my sin on the cross. He died for my sin, that I might die to sin. This is the great motivation for the unjust suffering that He endured.
Perhaps here too I can learn how and why to suffer, following His footsteps. He suffered for the benefit of others. When I suffer unjustly, I have no ability to save. But perhaps God will chose to use my testimony. It may just be to encourage them, or it may be what is used to bring them to salvation.
I, like a sheep, wondered away from my Shepherd. But the Shepherd sought me. At what price? What did it cost Him to rescue His sheep? He suffered and died, bearing my sin on the cross. He died for my sin, that I might die to sin. This is the great motivation for the unjust suffering that He endured.
Perhaps here too I can learn how and why to suffer, following His footsteps. He suffered for the benefit of others. When I suffer unjustly, I have no ability to save. But perhaps God will chose to use my testimony. It may just be to encourage them, or it may be what is used to bring them to salvation.
1 Peter 2:22-23
“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
The idea of a person who could commit no sin is difficult for me to imagine. What would a person like that be like. We go our whole lives meeting thousands of people—all of them sinners. Yet Jesus “committed no sin.” What does a life like that look like? The glimpse in this passage deals with experiencing suffering unjustly. He was falsely accused with words motivated by hate, but He did not strike back with words of spite or anger. He suffered physically at the hands of His creation, but He did not threaten His tormentors (although He surely had the power to make good on any threat).
Jesus faithfully trusted His life to God. He believed that God was just. And He trusted His life in His Father’s hands. All Christians should put their lives in the Father’s hands. But I imagine that it would be more difficult when you know that the Father intends for you to die. It’s one thing to trust our loving God when we believe that our life will be easy and long. But would I keep on trusting myself to my loving God when I know that He is going to allow me to die and unpleasantly at that? Christ did, and I am supposed to follow in His footsteps. When I look at something like this, the little injustices I experience seem insignificant. Unfortunately, when I am responding poorly to injustice, I seldom think of the injustice that Christ faced. Perhaps that is part of the remedy to the problem. I need to consider my example—the one who suffered for me.
The idea of a person who could commit no sin is difficult for me to imagine. What would a person like that be like. We go our whole lives meeting thousands of people—all of them sinners. Yet Jesus “committed no sin.” What does a life like that look like? The glimpse in this passage deals with experiencing suffering unjustly. He was falsely accused with words motivated by hate, but He did not strike back with words of spite or anger. He suffered physically at the hands of His creation, but He did not threaten His tormentors (although He surely had the power to make good on any threat).
Jesus faithfully trusted His life to God. He believed that God was just. And He trusted His life in His Father’s hands. All Christians should put their lives in the Father’s hands. But I imagine that it would be more difficult when you know that the Father intends for you to die. It’s one thing to trust our loving God when we believe that our life will be easy and long. But would I keep on trusting myself to my loving God when I know that He is going to allow me to die and unpleasantly at that? Christ did, and I am supposed to follow in His footsteps. When I look at something like this, the little injustices I experience seem insignificant. Unfortunately, when I am responding poorly to injustice, I seldom think of the injustice that Christ faced. Perhaps that is part of the remedy to the problem. I need to consider my example—the one who suffered for me.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
1 Peter 2:20-21
"For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
It is right for a person to accept the consequences of his actions. But when he suffers because of bad choices, we don’t really elevate him in our minds. However, if a person was to do no wrong and suffer, when we saw that suffering and the person enduring it, we would be amazed. And the passage says that God sees it as “a gracious thing.” What does that mean? Perhaps it means that we are showing grace and God sees it.
I should be willing to suffer unjustly because it is my calling. Christ suffered for me, and Christ is my example. I am to “follow in his steps.” To fulfill this calling I not only need to show grace but I need to be given grace. I don’t want to suffer unjustly, but I must. And if I’m going to, I need God to work in me.
It is right for a person to accept the consequences of his actions. But when he suffers because of bad choices, we don’t really elevate him in our minds. However, if a person was to do no wrong and suffer, when we saw that suffering and the person enduring it, we would be amazed. And the passage says that God sees it as “a gracious thing.” What does that mean? Perhaps it means that we are showing grace and God sees it.
I should be willing to suffer unjustly because it is my calling. Christ suffered for me, and Christ is my example. I am to “follow in his steps.” To fulfill this calling I not only need to show grace but I need to be given grace. I don’t want to suffer unjustly, but I must. And if I’m going to, I need God to work in me.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
1 Peter 2:19
“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
How are we going to respect an unjust authority figure? By enduring suffering. When I am under the authority of someone who is unjust, I will eventually be treated unjustly. I should respond graciously. I need to be mindful of God. I need to remember that I am not the first one to suffer injustice. When I go through a trial, my natural response is to think that I have it bad and that no one else is suffering like me. When I am treated unjustly, I must remember Christ, who suffered for me, and I must endure.
How are we going to respect an unjust authority figure? By enduring suffering. When I am under the authority of someone who is unjust, I will eventually be treated unjustly. I should respond graciously. I need to be mindful of God. I need to remember that I am not the first one to suffer injustice. When I go through a trial, my natural response is to think that I have it bad and that no one else is suffering like me. When I am treated unjustly, I must remember Christ, who suffered for me, and I must endure.
Monday, March 19, 2007
1 Peter 2:18
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”
Many people do not obey their bosses. And of those that do, few obey their bosses out of respect for them. People will obey a boss to keep their jobs or to help them get ahead. But the Christian is to obey with respect. The passage goes on to clarify that this respectful obedience is to be given not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust.
I suppose I could obey an unjust boss, but how could I ever respect someone whom I know to be unjust? I have difficulty respecting a just boss who I disagree with; how could I respect an unjust boss? The context gives me two answers to that question. The first answer comes from the verses just before this verse. We obey because God put the person in that position. To rebel externally or internally is to believe that God was mistaken to put that person above you. The second answer is in the coming verses.
Many people do not obey their bosses. And of those that do, few obey their bosses out of respect for them. People will obey a boss to keep their jobs or to help them get ahead. But the Christian is to obey with respect. The passage goes on to clarify that this respectful obedience is to be given not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust.
I suppose I could obey an unjust boss, but how could I ever respect someone whom I know to be unjust? I have difficulty respecting a just boss who I disagree with; how could I respect an unjust boss? The context gives me two answers to that question. The first answer comes from the verses just before this verse. We obey because God put the person in that position. To rebel externally or internally is to believe that God was mistaken to put that person above you. The second answer is in the coming verses.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
1 Peter 2:16-17
"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
Some people consider freedom to be the ability to do whatever they want to do. But this is false. I am free, free to do what is right. I am not a slave to sin. I have been purchased out of spiritual slavery. I am free, and I must live like it. To live without restraint is to use freedom as a cover-up for slavery to sin.
I am free to serve God. Among other things, I can serve him by honoring everyone, showing special love for fellow Christians, respecting Him, and respecting the authorities that He has placed over me.
Some people consider freedom to be the ability to do whatever they want to do. But this is false. I am free, free to do what is right. I am not a slave to sin. I have been purchased out of spiritual slavery. I am free, and I must live like it. To live without restraint is to use freedom as a cover-up for slavery to sin.
I am free to serve God. Among other things, I can serve him by honoring everyone, showing special love for fellow Christians, respecting Him, and respecting the authorities that He has placed over me.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
1 Peter 2:13-15
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."
I am to voluntarily subjugate myself to human institutions that have authority over me. I should not have to be physically forced to obey my rulers. I don't believe this means that I should go around looking for authorities to put myself under; it means that I am to obey the authorities that are over me. And I am to do it "for the Lord's sake." I am to do it regardless of my feelings about the authority. My personal feelings about any particular authority figure are irrelevant. I don't subjugate myself to a human institution because it is worthy. I subjugate myself because the Lord commands it. And He commands it because He established the authority.
Furthermore, my obedience is a testimony. Voluntary subjugation isn't exactly the goal of most people. Frankly, I don't think much of it either. I want freedom, and I have it. But I must also obey the rulers that God has put into power. Whoever God has put over me is to have my obedience in their realm of authority.
I am to voluntarily subjugate myself to human institutions that have authority over me. I should not have to be physically forced to obey my rulers. I don't believe this means that I should go around looking for authorities to put myself under; it means that I am to obey the authorities that are over me. And I am to do it "for the Lord's sake." I am to do it regardless of my feelings about the authority. My personal feelings about any particular authority figure are irrelevant. I don't subjugate myself to a human institution because it is worthy. I subjugate myself because the Lord commands it. And He commands it because He established the authority.
Furthermore, my obedience is a testimony. Voluntary subjugation isn't exactly the goal of most people. Frankly, I don't think much of it either. I want freedom, and I have it. But I must also obey the rulers that God has put into power. Whoever God has put over me is to have my obedience in their realm of authority.
Monday, March 5, 2007
1 Peter 2:11-12
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
As an American who lives in Korea, I am a foreigner. There are certain practices common to Koreans that I just don't do, eating silk worm pupa for example. The very smell of the stuff is absolutely revolting to me. Then there are other things that I'm not even aware of that I don't do just because I'm not familiar with the norm. As a Christian in the world, I am to be a foreigner who abstains from the sinful, fleshly practices of this present age.
Those without Christ live passionately for the satisfaction of the flesh, and they often deny any that what they do is wrong. We are told "to abstain from the passions of the flesh." Our abstinence from immoral behavior keeps unbelievers from speaking evil against us. They see our good deeds and give God glory. They may not say, "praise the Lord for His good work in that believer." But they might say, "there is something special about that man." They recognize that something sets the person apart.
Though people may speak as though there is nothing wrong with immorality, I should be a testimony to them of what is right.
As an American who lives in Korea, I am a foreigner. There are certain practices common to Koreans that I just don't do, eating silk worm pupa for example. The very smell of the stuff is absolutely revolting to me. Then there are other things that I'm not even aware of that I don't do just because I'm not familiar with the norm. As a Christian in the world, I am to be a foreigner who abstains from the sinful, fleshly practices of this present age.
Those without Christ live passionately for the satisfaction of the flesh, and they often deny any that what they do is wrong. We are told "to abstain from the passions of the flesh." Our abstinence from immoral behavior keeps unbelievers from speaking evil against us. They see our good deeds and give God glory. They may not say, "praise the Lord for His good work in that believer." But they might say, "there is something special about that man." They recognize that something sets the person apart.
Though people may speak as though there is nothing wrong with immorality, I should be a testimony to them of what is right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)