God has called believers out of this world to be His ambassadors to the homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces where we live. We live in a world that is not our home, but where we have hope in Christ, and it is His hope we are called to share with the world around us. The simple truth is that the hope of Christ is witnessed through the lives of those growing to become more and more like Jesus (see: 2 Cor 3:16-8).
Peter, in the second chapter of his first epistle, verses 11-25, explains how a believer is to engage in Christlike living. In verses 11-12, he states that Christlike living involves dealing rightly with sin (lack of living in alignment with God’s will for us). Peter urges the believer to fight against the lusts of the flesh (sinful nature or inclination). This battle continues as long as we live in the flesh (human body this side of paradise). Paul writes of this battle: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). The only way to conquer the flesh is to yield to the Spirit. As believers, we are to walk in alignment with God’s Word by the power of the Spirit. As a believer walks this way, they grow in greater likeness to Christ and in their witness to others.
Peter continues in verses 13-17, drawing our attention to the reality that Christlike living involves honoring God by living respectably towards human institutions. Human institutions are social establishments such as home and state. God has established these institutions for people (see: Rom 13:1-7). For the Lord’s sake, believers are to honor them. In other words, to dishonor these institutions dishonors God. As Christians, we ought to be good citizens, submitting to government, when their laws do not violate God’s laws. Why? Because Peter knew that our conduct is a way to defend the Gospel. Those who have never read the Bible will read our lives. What does such Christlike living look like amidst human institutions? We are to honor everyone, being concerned for the welfare of all people. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to fear God, revere Him, respect Him, stand in awe of Him, and love Him. We are to give our ultimate loyalty to God but respect civil rulers. Such a life shows love for our Lord and allows our witness to shine throughout our society.
Then, Peter writes in verses 18-20 that Christlike living involves choosing to respond in all circumstances in a way that points to Jesus. Peter uses as an example among the most disadvantaged in his contemporary society, household servants. This passage has been a difficult one for some to explore mainly because it does not denounce such servitude, but we must look at it in context. The whole of Scripture does not condone servitude or slavery. In fact, it was those who understood scriptural teaching who fought to abolish slavery in England and here in the United States. In Peters day, household servants often had more economic and social mobility than free agricultural workers or peasants, although most of them did not have much. A large portion of the early church was made up of household servants. How does such a passage apply to us today? This passage could be seen about employee/employer relationships today. However, keep in mind, unlike the freedom many, if not all of us have to leave a bad place of employment, these servants only had a choice of how they would react. Peter challenges believers to be respectful to those over them and to endure for Christ’s sake, even in suffering. Suffering is not a blessing in and of itself, but, if one’s duty to God is involved (see: Acts 4:20), then on can meet it with a joyful heart (see: Matt 5:10-12). Such a life advances our walk with the Lord and witness to others.
Lastly, Peter in verses 21-25 explains that Christlike living involves following in Christ’s steps. Peter, who was an eyewitness to the Lord’s suffering uses our Lord’s torture and salvific act of dying on the cross for our sins to exemplify the Lord’s commitment to selflessly endure suffering for God’s glory and our benefit. Further, Peter encourages us by reminding believers that we have been spiritually healed by Christ. Christ heals our sin in that He by one suffering put away sin forever (see: Isa 53:5). The encouragement to believers who suffer is that a person may bring harm to your body, but through Christ’s suffering sacrifice, no one can harm your soul. Through Christ’s example and salvific act, believers can be assured of their salvation, grow in their walk with Him, as well as, in our witness for Him.
The world Peter lived in was not much different from our own. For sure, we live in an age with a greater understanding of the universe and where technology is far advanced from the world in which Peter lived. But, the spiritual and cultural challenges to those desiring to live Christlike lives are the same. We still live in a world, not our home, where our hope is found in Christ. We still are challenged to take a stand against sin in our lives, to honor those in authority over us, and seek to follow the example of Jesus in all circumstances – to follow in His steps. This kind of conduct stands as a true witness to others to belief, silence the tongue of accusers, and bring approval from God.
It is such a joy serving the Lord with each of you. Imagine the power in our lives as we grow in Christlikeness as well as the exponential witness we will have for Christ. Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)!