Valuable Lessons from a Great Apostle
Jeremy Northrop
Peter calls Christians to live in the presence of God and in light of their own heavenly inheritance (1Peter 1:1-21). There are a few things that he says to do that will help Christians to live in such a fashion. The first is to love one another with a pure heart: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” (1Peter 1:22-23).
Next, Peter instructs Christians to seek the pure milk of the word so that they can grow. Notice in 1Peter 2:1, Peter says to put off certain sins of the flesh and in verse 2, he says to desire the pure milk of the word. As newborn babes, he instructs Christians to focus solely on Christ as they belong to Christ. He explains that Christ is precious and that Christians are stones to be built around the corner stone—Christ Himself. Christians are not to live like the world because they are not of the world. Rather they are the chosen people of Christ and should live as such: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9). The reason for this is because living for Christ will make a difference in the world (1Peter 2:11-12). This is a sobering verse to all Christians. The lives that they live are an example to everyone else in the world. Therefore, every Christian needs to examine his own life and make sure he or she is giving a positive example that will make a good difference in the lives of those in the world.
Then, Peter makes some very practical applications that will help the Christian live for God. First, in 1Peter 2:13-17, Peter exhorts Christians to submit to the government. Often times, when a person speaks of the submission to the government, they will notice Romans 13. Yet, Peter agrees with Paul when he tells his readers to submit to the governing authorities. He makes it clear that when Christians do not submit to the government, they are not submitting to God: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Peter 2:15). One of the best examples Christians can have before the world is to submit to the government.
Also, Peter focuses on the relationships that Christians have with other people. He tells the servants who are Christians to submit to their masters. He tells the wives who are Christians to submit to their non-Christian husbands. He admonishes husbands who are Christians to be understanding and give honor to their wives. One way in which Christians can live righteous before God is to be fair and kind with other people. The reason godly wives are to submit to their husbands is so that they can be won without a word (1Peter 3:1). Again, it confirms that a godly example can make a positive impact in an ungodly world.
Finally, Peter notices that if a person is going to live for God, then he or she will suffer from the world. He says that Christians will suffer for righteous living. He compares the suffering of Christians to the suffering of Christ. Serving God means suffering for God. The two go hand in hand. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1Peter 4:16). He admonishes his readers again that the motivation for godly living must be love (1Peter 4:8). He admonishes his readers again that the motivation for godly living must be love (1Peter 4:8). He encourages the elders to shepherd the flock in a kind and willing way (1Peter 5:1-4).
The reason for the exhortations for godly living is because the devil is hard at work. He is working hard to make sure that all people will not go to Heaven. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8).
