Faithful In a Fallen World | 1 Peter 2:11-2:25
Faithful In a Fallen World | 1 Peter 2:11-2:25
INTRODUCTION
As followers of Christ, we are called to live out our faith in a way that transforms our lives and impacts the world around us. In a world that often stands against godly values, how do we, as believers, stay faithful? How do we face societal pressure, workplaces challenges, and our personal struggles while holding fast to our calling?
HF: Today, as we reflect on 1 Peter 2:11-25, let’s rediscover what it means to stand firm, submit to God’s authority, and live Godly lives in the society.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Primarily, Peter reminds them:
1. A Christian’s Condition: Pilgrims.
As members of a “holy nation” (2:9), believers are foreigners and exiles in the world (1:1; 17). We are only temporary residents. This world is not the end, we anticipate a greater kingdom. We anticipate living with God. He has placed us here and this is his created order, we are part of his created order. We are redeemed by God so as a result of that we live differently.
- Followers of Jesus are Pilgrims in the society in which they live.
- Followers of Jesus are to practice good behavior among non-Christians.
2. Christian Responsibility to Self: I Should Refuse the Appeal of My Desires.
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Peter has already mentioned that in this epistle: 1 Peter 1:14; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Peter 4:1-3
We are citizens of God’s kingdom and follow a Messianic king, Jesus. We are governed by that king. We are not governed by the passions and desires of this world.
Peter is asking the followers of Jesus to put off their fleshly desires.
James 1:14-15
13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
Peter speaks that our inner man has been transformed: 1 Peter 1:9; 1 Peter 2:25.
So, when we yield to the inner urges of the flesh, sinful man, we live like our old man.
Believers are to live for God by the help of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:6b
The Holy Spirit enables us to live good lives. 1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Application: Sometimes there is no difference in the way we live and the way the world lives.
How do we refuse the appeal of our desires?
Keep your sinful evil desires in check. Abstain from sinful desires.
1 Peter 2:11 AMP
11Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.
3. Christian responsibility to the Society: Be submissive to the Civil Authorities.
Peter has already mentioned that we are pilgrims in this world. That means we are part of two kingdoms: God’s eternal Kingdom & Physical citizenship in this world. We have dual citizenship. As members of our country, we are to be submissive to civil authorities for the Lord’s sake. We are to be submissive to civil laws.
1 Peter 2:13-14
13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
Christians are to submit to the country and the country officials. The presence of political corruption should not stop us to submit to rulers placed under God.
We are to submit to every authority.
Context: Peter is writing at a time when Nero is emperor. Nero ruled from AD 54-68. He is not one of the most God-honouring Caesars. He was irrational, dishonest, evil, and very destructive in his rule. Peter says, “Regardless be submissive to the leaders.”
1 Peter 2:15-17
15For 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, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Obeying the law we can avoid unnecessary and illegitimate criticism.
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.
We have the freedom to object. We have freedom to protest. But when that freedom overflows into breaking law or acting in ways that are unbecoming as a Christian, then we are disobeying what Peter is saying here. Peter says we are not to do that on the basis of what Jesus did for us.
- We are to honour the government laws.
- We are to honour the national flag, national anthem.
- We are to honour the supreme court’s law.
- If we defer, do not use your freedom as a right to sin on behalf of God.
We are Not to Use Our Freedom as a Right to Sin on Behalf of God.
4. Christian Responsibility at the Workplace: Submit to Masters/Employers.
1 Peter 1:18-20
18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
We need to look at this passage with the 1st Century Master-Slave relationship. If you were born in slavery, you had no right, you were committed to your master unless he released you or sold you to someone. You were a slave, the master’s personal conduct is not a reason for disobedience. They are slaves regardless of how bad that master was. Slave was to obey his master. That is God’s will and that is what God desired. The master’s personal conduct or character is not the reason for disobedience. Peter is not supporting slavery here, but he is working this out in the 1st century slave master setup.
So, Peter is saying, “If you are a slave, you need to submit to the master. If the master is bad, you still need to be submissive to him and if involves suffering, that is what being a follower of Jesus is about to begin with.”
We cannot make this connection with employees and employer. This is different for us now: There are laws that protect us from abuse or exploitation of work. We can always find another job if you don’t like your employer.
Some of you may be locked into to our jobs because you may be the sole breadwinner, you are there in for your children and having insurance. These make us feel as though we have no options. But in our society we do have the option to find another job. We are not really slaves as this context demands. But in the same token, even though there is not a one-to-one correspondence, there is a sense though that as an employee to an employer we do have the obligation to honour that relationship even though we can walk out of any work environment.
However, when we accept the position and we work for an employer today, we are obligated to obey and submit to them.
- Christian Employees are to Submit to their Employers in Reverent Fear of God.
- Suffering in Submission is Commendable before God; 2:19; 4:16; 4:19.
5. The Ultimate Reason for Christian Faithfulness: Christ is the Example to Follow.
1 Peter 2:21-25
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.
Not only is Christ the answer to their hope but he is the example to follow.
Jesus committed no sin, yet he endured injustice at the hands of evil men.
- He committed no sin.
- Jesus told no lies to get himself out of a difficult situation.
- He did not retaliate.
- Jesus made no threats.
- Christ committed himself to God who judges rightly.
- God vindicated him and was raised from the dead.
- By his wounds we have been healed. Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual healing.
Christ is our Shepherd and Overseer of Our Souls; 2:25.
That is encouraging for those of us who find ourselves in situations when we are wrongly accused, has suffered ill because of slander or whatever reason. I think we need to strive to clear things up, clear our name but sometimes it is not going to happen. But we know that God knows and he will take care of it in his time.
1. A Christian’s Condition: Pilgrims.
2. Christian Responsibility to Self: I Should Refuse the Appeal of My Desires.
3. Christian responsibility to the Society: Be submissive to the Civil Authorities.
4. Christian Responsibility at the Workplace: Submit to Masters/Employers.
5. The Ultimate Reason for Christian Faithfulness: Christ is the Example to Follow.
CONCLUSION
Living faithfully in a fallen world requires believers to understand their identity as pilgrims, exercise self-control, submit to authority, and endure suffering with Christ as their example. Peter’s exhortation challenges us to embody godliness in society, workplace, and personal conduct. Our faith should reflect integrity, love, and humility, leading others to glorify God. In times of hardship, we are called to trust in God’s justice, knowing that our suffering is not in vain. As we live out these truths, we bear witness to Christ, demonstrating that true freedom is found in serving God wholeheartedly.
1 Peter 3:15-18
15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
LIFE APPLICATION POINTS
Recognize Your True Identity as Pilgrims
We are not permanent here. Our ultimate citizenship is in God’s kingdom, which should shape our values, priorities, and behaviour.
How does recognizing yourself as a pilgrim change the way you live daily?
Resist Sinful Desires
The temptations of the flesh wage war against our soul. Through the Holy Spirit, we must actively fight against sin, lust, greed, envy, and hypocrisy.
What are some sinful desires that you struggle with? God can deliver you today.
Demonstrate Christlike Behaviour Among Non-Believers
Our daily conduct, in business, work, and relationships, should reflect God’s righteousness, making us a testimony to others.
How do your actions and words reflect Christ to non-believers around you?
Submit to Authority with a Godly Attitude
Even when civil or workplace authorities are unjust, we are called to submit, as long as it does not contradict God’s will.
What challenges do you face in submitting to authority, and how can you align with God’s call for obedience?
Suffering for Righteousness is Commendable Before God, Trust in God’s Justice.
Unjust suffering comes, it should be seen as part of our Christian calling. Christ suffered unjustly yet entrusted Himself to God’s justice. We may not always see immediate justice, but we trust that God will judge rightly and uphold righteousness in His perfect timing.
How do you respond to suffering and injustice? Entrust your situation to God’s justice?
Work with Integrity and Fairness
Whether employer or employee, our work ethic should reflect fairness, honesty, and respect, showing a Christlike example in the workplace.
In what ways can you exhibit integrity and fairness in your workplace or business dealings?