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. 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…. And 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... 12Live such good lives among the pagans that...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…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...
...it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God…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.”
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,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1Peter 2:18-21 “...it is commendable if someone bears up under unjust suffering because they are conscious of God…”
Brings 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
Proverbs 3:32-35 (Ps 138:6; Ja 4:6; 1Pet 5:5)
32For the Lord detests the perverse, but takes the upright into his confidence. 33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. 35The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
“...because we are conscious or mindful of God…” and His will - there is a joint knowing: God and me, God in me, God for me, God’s will for me, me and God, therefore we are able to endure suffering as part of God’s purposes… (Rom 8:31; Ex 14:13; 2Chron 32:6-8; 2Kings 6:16-17; Ps 118:6; Is 41:8-16; Matt 1:23; Rom 5:1-11; 1Thes 5:18; Ja 1; 1Pe 1; 1John 4:12)
Now, as humans, made in God’s image, we all…
...have a conscience that knows what is... (Rom 2:14-15; Gen 42:21-22)
good and right
right and wrong
...have an innate discernment...
All humans, have this ability and capacity
But many have “seared” the conscience - their feelings, the ability to discern has been numbed (Eph 4:19; 1Tim 4:2)
But, for the believer, our conscience has been made more sensitive, quickened, given life by God’s Spirit (Rom 8:1-16; Gal 5:16-26)
But now, as God’s children, By the power of that Spirit, we are created in Jesus, to be like Jesus… (John 14:26; Eph 1:13; 4:30; Acts 2:33; Rom 8:23,26-27; Gal 3:14)
Our soul can discern - not just right and wrong - but, what is morally good and bad (1Cor 6:12-20)
Prompting us to do good (Matt 5:16; Gal 5:6,22-23; 6:9; 2Thes 3:3; Ja 2:18; 3:13; 1Pet 2:12)
Condemning what is bad (Matt 15:19; Gal 5:19-21; Col 3:5)
We are empowered to live out our righteousness, Christ’s righteousness in us - bearing the fruit of the Spirit
1Cor 1:30 “...It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. “
2Cor 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This righteousness looks like this...
Gal 5:22-23 “...the fruit of the Spirit (the righteousness of Christ in us) is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.”
So, because we are in Jesus, we are indwelt and empowered by the Spirit of God - we can live as Jesus lived and the Spirit empowers - being mindful of Him...
Therefore our decisions, our conduct, our words, our attitudes, our treatment of others is a reflection of God in us and our being in and with - or- we are mindful of God
That God is sovereign and that we are His - our being mindful of this truth enables our responding as God would have us
We can be confident, in God, that there will be a good outcome (Rom 8:28)
And trusting our Father for the good outcome, we can now, regardless of the circumstances, do what is good…
Something that profits others
Doing good, as one who does good, and that good generously and for the benefit of others (Phil 2:1-11)
To do good, do right, without concern for personal gain
And this brings us directly to Jesus’ example and our imitating Him - how we can AND should then be - not only
Made in God’s image and therefore able to choose between right and wrong
But also, filled with the Holy Spirit, empowered to be righteous - Eph 1:13-14
Able, compelled to be an imitator of Jesus - Eph 5:1-2
As one NOW created in Christ Jesus - righteous and growing in Righteousness - Eph 2:8-10
I can now, with confidence in who I am in Christ, have the same attitude as Jesus...
Phil 2:5-7 “...not look only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others…, ...in humility, consider others as better than myself… and 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset or attitude as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature 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 of a servant, being made in human likeness
1 Peter 2:21-25
22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
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,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:22 no deceit was found in His mouth (as for me: Ps 119:25-32)
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 - remaining true to His person and nature
25I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Being mindful of His Father, confident in His sovereign love, Jesus did not defend Himself, did not avenge, but…
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 spew 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
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.
Even to the last moment, Jesus responded with grace toward those who took His life
Luke 23:34 ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And toward those with Him
Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
And further entrusted Himself to His Father
Luke 23:46 “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
2:23 “...Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (Ps 119: 65-80)
But instead, he entrusted himself
Put himself in His Father’s hands to do as He would
Committed himself - to God’s will and purposes to be accomplished
Commended himself - God’s view of righteousness and His Father’s vindicating
Surrendered Himself - trusting His Father’s goodness and good outcome
To give Himself over to His Father’s power (to vindicate, redeem, make good)
That Jesus’ submission to His Father was Accomplishing God’s ultimate will
1 Peter 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.
Entrusting ourselves to God’s Sovereign mercy, we now can live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved…
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. 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,” 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.”
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
