1Peter 1
3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6So be truly glad.b There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.” e
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1Peter 2:18-21
Brings or wins for us God’s favor - God’s grace and good-will, loving-kindness and blessing
God’s leaning toward and into us giving Himself to us
Attends and assists
That His grace would not only be bestowed upon us, but seen in our lives
Mindful of God and His will - joint knowing: God and me, God’s will for me, therefore we endure suffering as part of God’s purposes...
Conscience joins moral and spiritual consciousness - of what is good and right, what is right and wrong
An innate discernment
All humans, made in God’s divine image have this ability and capacity
But many have “seared” the conscience - their feelings, the ability to discern has been numbed
But, for the believer, our conscience has been made more sensitive, quicked, given life by God’s Spirit
So our soul can discern what is morally good and bad -
prompting us to do
Condemning what is bad
Therefore our decisions, our conduct, our words, our attitudes, our treatment of others
God sovereign, we are His, our being mindful of this truth enables our responding as God would have us
Confident, in God, that there will be a good outcome
Do what is good…
Something that profits others
Who oneself as one who does good generously for the benefit of others
To do good, do right
And this brings us directly to Jesus’ example, and how we should then be - not only
Made in God’s image and therefore able to choose between right and wrong
But, filled with the Holy Spirit, empowered to be righteous
Able, compelled to be an imitator of Jesus
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Phil 2:5-7 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature a God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature b of a servant, being made in human likeness
1Pet 2:21-25
22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” e
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
2:22 no deceit was found in His mouth
Was not devious, did not use His being God to His own advantage -
No ulterior motive or attempt to get his own - no shenanigans or chicanery or cheating
But instead, He was honest in all ways, straight forward, pure motives and intentions
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
2:23 reviled/insults…
to say harsh things (make verbal assaults); to heap abuse; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using mean-spirited, insulting words to demoralize (humiliate).
...He did not revile/insult in return
to return abusive insults; reproach, denigrate; detract from someone's honor (reputation). Did not humiliate the other
Even do the last moment, Jesus responded with grace toward those who took His life
2:23 “...Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
But instead, he entrusted himself
Put himself in His Father’s hands to do as He would
Committed himself - God’s will, purposes, accomplished
Commended himself - God’s view and vindication
Surrender - trusting His Father’s goodness and good outcome
To give over to His Father’s power (to vindicate, redeem, make good)
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
Accomplishing God’s Ultimate Will
1peter 2:24 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, "I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God."
Matthew 27:12 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
Mark 14:61 But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
Mark 15:5 But to Pilate's amazement, Jesus made no further reply.
Luke 23:9 Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.
John 19:9 and he went back into the Praetorium. "Where are You from?" he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.
Benediction:
Overcome evil with good…
Romans 12:9-21
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. c Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” d says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” e
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
