1 Peter 2:13-25 (Mar.25)
1 Peter 2:13-25
By His Wounds
(March 25, 2007)
This section of text talks about submission to authority.
If you're like me, the call to submit to injustice and mistreatment is not easy to heed.
My flesh rises up in the name of “freedom” and “courage” to fight back.
Why is that not right?
Ref: 1 Peter 2:21-25 (NIV)
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
'He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in His mouth.'
When 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
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,
so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;
by His wounds you have been healed.
For you were like sheep going astray,
but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. ”
When Something is Said-
Ref: 1 Peter 2:15 (NIV)
“For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. ”
Historical Context-
We know from sources such as Pliny the Younger's Epistulae
that Christians were treated very harshly for what was interpreted
as sedition and/or disloyalty to the Roman Emperor.
Some of these charges were made anonymously
(with cowardice, which even the Emperor Trajan denounced),
but all were related to the Christians' unwillingness to worship the Emperor and/or pagan gods.
Peter called on these Christians to answer these charges “by doing good”
that they might “silence the ignorant talk of foolish men”.
Application-
If I am falsely accused or asked to do something that I believe is against God, how does the Holy Spirit encourage me to respond?
The word Peter uses here for “doing good” is “agathopoieo” (ag-ath-op-oy-eh'-o),which can be translated as performing out of a sense of duty and a desire for excellence.
Ref: 1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)
“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.”
When Something is Done-
Ref: 1 Peter 2:19-20 (AMP)
“For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.
[After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently?
But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results]
when you do right and that is undeserved,
it is acceptable and pleasing to God.”
Historical Context-
Many Christians were slaves.
Although there were distinct differences between slavery in ancient Rome
and slavery in 18th and 19th-century America,
it was still a demeaning and debasing circumstance.
Isn't submitting to this injustice tantamount to supporting it?
Application-
Peter highlights in v.19 that the response to a believer
who “endures the pain of unjust suffering” is “charis” (khar'-ece),
which can be translated as worthy of thanks, favor, or grace.
This introduction of grace into the relationship
refocuses everyone's attention on the only Author and Initiator of true grace.
When God Says or Does Nothing (or so it might appear)-
Ref: 1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)
“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.”
In this video short, we'll see Jesus NOT returning wrath
(when all wrath in the universe was at His disposal).
We'll also see God the Father turn His back on His Son, Jesus (for a time) to fulfill His plan.
Just because I don't perceive God's action, does not mean that He is absent.
I must entrust myself “to Him who judges justly”, just as Jesus did.
