I still remember some points in the first chapter of this letter written by apostle peter. This letter was mainly addressed to the gentiles (non-Jews Christian). It is precisely mentioned in 1 peter 2:9-10 “2:9 But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2:10 [you] who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied [then], but now pitied.”
The expressions “called out of darkness into His (Jesus) marvelous light (the last part of verse 9) and “not people but now the people of God” have established that the reason to be the chosen generation is mainly based on Christ, our faith to Jesus that’s why we--who are not Jews-- can still be the heirs and heiress of God’s promise as it is written in Galatians “3:29 And if you [are] Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.” So though we are not the seeds of Abraham genetically, we are spiritually his seeds through Jesus Christ.
Peter knew that the gentiles were struggling hard to keep their faith in Christ as this world is totally contradicted to the way we should live as the chosen one. That’s why in the second chapter verse 11-17 he gave the way to live as the heirs of God’s promise or in the other words, peter wanted to tell the church “How those who have come to Jesus are to live.”
These are the four important points on how to live as the chosen one from 1 Peter 2:11-17;
1. Avoid fleshly lusts by thinking that we are sojourners
2:11 Dearly beloved, I exhort [you] as [temporary] residents and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
in this verse Peter highlighted on changing our mind focus. If we live as we are from this world we would of course can stand to avoid fleshy lusts. All the wicked things come from our heart. When our heart belongs to this world we will think all world’s stuff and the bible says that the friendship with the world is the rebel against God (James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity [with] God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”). if you’re still confused with the term “fleshly lust”, i can simplify it as Peter said previously in chapter 2:1 that it’s all about - malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking- and also about fornication and adultery, and so on. Those things refer to “fleshly lust”.
I know you may find it difficult to avoid as we live in the world that see all those things as the common things. So, Here’s the point, our heart and mind should be set to think that we are heavenly citizenship so this world is just our temporary residence. When we think like this, we wont deal our live much to all things related to this world. Somebody ever told me that our mind guides all our deeds. When you think you’re looser, you will act as looser but when you think (put in your mind) that you are the conqueror, you will live as a conqueror. It’s all about our mind focus.
2. Be an example in good deeds among the gentiles and unbelievers
2:12 having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of [His] visitation, seeing [your] good works.
This evening we discussed about the effective things to do in teaching our kids and one of them is about giving example through our lives. Why is it so important? People don't pay much attention on listening but seeing. When they listen to your good speaking but find it absolutely different with your deed, all good things you’ve shared through words will be in vain. That’s why Peter advised the church to be the example among the nations so that by seeing our good works other people who do not know Christ will glorify Him. watch out your deed..make sure that your speaking synchronizes with your deed.
3. Submit to the government
2:13 Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,
2:14 or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance [on] evildoers, but for praise [on] well-doers.
2:15 For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;
Most of the time we as Christians ignore this. I used to think that rules are made to be broken but God says different thing. God says that rules made by government is controlled by Him. that’s why in the other verse of the bible, we are asked to pray for our governors, presidents, all the nation leaders and also our nation’s prosperity. Don't only judge our government but we have to pray that they will do their roles in the fear of the LORD.
Submit the government means we obey the rules made by government. if we ignore it and get the punishment just realize that God still loves you that’s why He chastens you through your governors. :)
Thus, w.
4. Do not misuse the freedom
2:16 as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.
2:17 Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Guzik said in his commentary dealing with these verses that we are warned against taking the liberty we have in Jesus as an excuse for sin. Instead, we use our liberty in Jesus to show the kind of love and respect that Peter calls for.
In simple way, we are asked not to waste the grace we’ve got through Jesus as an excuse for doing things that we want though they are not according to God’s will. Being forgiven and having the grace should be the main reason we live in obedience. Submit to God and the government is the right way to use the liberty from God.
So, keep shining in this dark world by living in purity, give good examples in deed, and obey the rules made by the governors.
Stay blessed,
