Life 101 - Part 4

It has been a few weeks since Thanksgiving and we are heavy into the Christmas season, but this post takes us back to our Thanksgiving Large Group centered around the second and third chapters of 1 Peter.

1 Peter 2:13-15 challenges us with one of many concepts that fall into the “easier said than done” category, but this passage ends with such a gratifying thought. To submit ourselves to others does not really come as second nature, especially when we do not agree with authority figures, such as our supervisors or our professors, or the way they conduct themselves or manage situations. However, the last part of this passage says, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” Our actions should be so marked with the identity and attitude of Christ that they silence any opposition, absolutely leave our enemies without any words. This is how we should act in general, but particularly toward figures of authority. It is the will of God for us to do so, and we are promised that when we remain in God’s will we are protected.

Peter elaborates on this idea in the next few verses, 2:16-20. He makes the point that it is not noble to accept what we should get in the first place, we are not doing anyone any favors and we are not committing an ultimate act of sacrifice by receiving what we deserve. When we fall under persecution while we are doing right, though, and we stand firm in faith, that is when God smiles and says “job well done.”

1 Peter 2:21-25 explains how we can remain faithful in times of distress, which is by following the example Jesus provided for us. How easy would it have been when people were throwing stones at Jesus, beating Him and most definitely when He was on the cross, to just spit back at His persecutors, promising them a spot in Hell? Taunting them with the truth that He was the son of God and could use that to make their lives miserable? When pushed to the limit, there is no doubt many people would fall to that level. Instead of treating people the way they treat us, though, we can rise above the desire to even the score and treat them as if they never wronged us in the first place. We can give them grace. And as we discussed, grace is not just giving someone what they do not deserve; grace is giving someone the opposite of what they deserve.

Expanding upon that idea, 1 Peter 3:1-7 speaks directly to wives and husbands, and it is important to note that the advice given here should not just be filed away for those who are not currently married. The counsel given here can be used to better our relationships with anyone. For those in dating relationships, putting the skills spoken of into practice now is great preparation for the future. For all the singles, just practicing putting others before ourselves in general – and not just when it is convenient – helps us live life in such a way that words are not necessary to convey the message of the Gospel.

We continue to hear the same message throughout this chapter, not because Peter runs out of things to say, but because what he is sharing with us is too important not to be repeated. Verses 8-12 shed a new light on the concept of giving others the opposite of what they deserve by introducing the idea of repaying evil with a blessing.

Peter charges us in the subsequent passage (v. 13-17) to be persistent in doing good works for the Kingdom. He warns us not to just focus on God when things are awesome and not to just focus on Him when things are horrible and every prayer is begging for relief. Rather, in all times, we are to keep our hearts in a state of attention, a state of focus on Christ. Then when people ask why we live the way we do, we will not have to worry about being ready to explain it to them. God will give us the words express ourselves clearly to those who do not know Him. They will see Him first through our actions and then we can introduce Him to others through our words.

Like many other Jews in that time, Peter believed the Messiah would be a military leader who would not suffer, and instead would eliminate his enemies and make everything right and just. So, when Jesus came on the scene it was difficult for Peter to grasp the concept of sacrificial suffering and this confuses many of us today, as well. Why do we have to suffer if all things are supposed to come together for our good (Romans 8)?

Sometimes God puts us in a position that is uncomfortable because He is protecting us from something much worse. Sometimes He puts us in a position that is uncomfortable because He wants to teach us something. Either way, we can be sure that the trials that we face can be used for our good and God’s glory. Just like the example in this passage (v. 18-22), Noah’s family felt uncomfortable being in that enclosed space with all of those smelly animals for such a long time, but it is highly doubtful they would have rather tried to out-swim the rising waters brought by the flood. The Lord used that time of discomfort to give them new life and that is what He offers us, both believers and non-believers, alike. Just as it states that baptism does not save us by “the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God,” we can recognize that the suffering we endure may not always have immediate or visible benefits, but can definitely bring us closer to God and push us to rely on Him.

In this awesome, incredible, somewhat confusing time of transition, let us thank God that we have a blueprint for how to live our lives in a way that is acceptable and pleasing to Him.



Reflection Questions
· When have you struggled with submitting to figures of authority and how did that affect you?
· How have you struggled with treating others in the opposite way of what they deserve (in your eyes)?
· Is it difficult for you to put others before yourself?
· In what tangible ways can you practice repaying evil with blessings?  
· What are you thankful for today?