1 Peter 2:9-25
When "life-changing" things happen to us, we usually don't know exactly what we should do next – even if the life-changing thing is good. When those who were poor win a multi-million dollar lottery, at first there is euphoria. But, eventually, the new life made possible by so much wealth puts the "sinner" on a path so unfamiliar that the person gets lost. As one man said, after losing all the money he had won through the lottery, "I woke up after winning and said, 'Now what?' My life had been directed by trying to earn enough money to survive. By figuring out ways to get enough to eat or to pay my rent. My friends were all in the same boat as I was. I didn't know what to do. My family and friends had expectations of me. People who had as much money as I did weren't the kind of people I enjoyed. I kept thinking that buying something would make things better. It didn't And sooner than I could ever have imagined, everything was gone."
This story brings us to 1 Peter 2 again. In v. 4, Peter tells us that when we come to Jesus, we find what all of us have been longing for, i.e., a lasting and faithful cornerstone for our lives. Jesus forgives us of our sins. He gives his Spirit to us. We are made right with God and told that, for the first time, we are set free to live as our creator made us to live. Do you remember when you first came to Jesus in this way? It was more thrilling than winning the lottery – than completing a doctoral program! But, in a similar way, we wake up the next day and ask, "How should I now live? How should I use this new freedom Christ purchased for me with his precious blood?" And Peter's answer is two-fold: 1) Abstain from putting those temporary and false cornerstones back into your life, and 2) live such a good life among the nations so that they will see God at work in you.
So, we read this passage from 1 Peter in church and then walk out the churchdoor and... discover we live in the same political environment as we used to, we have the same boss as we used to, and we have the same family as we used to. You tell those around you that you now are a Jesus-follower and quote 1 Peter 2:9: "I'm now a part of a royal priesthood and a holy nation. I now belong to God. I've discovered how to live!! And they say, "Have you lost your mind?" Or... "Big deal! Get back to the life you used to live. We're not changing just because of you!"
That's what today's text is all about. Peter tells us some very basic things about what this new identity and freedom in Christ looks like once we have come to Christ. And the key verse for this new life is 2:23: To this life you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
This is way, way too big a topic to deal with fully so I'll just begin and get as far as I can.
So, I want to pull back to see one more time what happens to us when we come to Christ.
One More Time: We're God's Piece of Work
God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light... (2:9).
Today's passage is directed by the thought that we are to live according to Jesus example. And that's true. We are all made in the image of God but we have all fallen short of what God has made us to be. Jesus came as the very image of God and we saw in him how life was to be lived. But... hear me clearly... coming to Jesus does not mean that I suddenly just say, "Now I'm going to give it my all and work hard and live like him and do everything he taught!" If we think that's what it means to come to Jesus, then we'll fail.
Some have tried to say that what it means to be a Christian is to live like Jesus. And that's truly what we should do – but our lives with God do not start with a commitment to live like Jesus – in my own strength. So, let me say this clearly: Before we can even begin to follow Jesus' example, we must first experience Jesus' salvation. He must first be our rescuer out of our sinful patterns and only then he can be our example. We cannot live according to the example of Jesus on our own. His life was too lofty.
Just look at the Sermon on the Mount. "Don't murder – and that means don't even call a person hurtful names." "Don't commit adultery – and that means don't even look at another woman lustfully." "If a hateful person forces you to carry something for him for a mile – carry it for two!" No, if you and I say, "I'll just live like Jesus on my own" then we'll fail miserably. Start with Jesus as example and there is no hope for people like us. What we need first is a rescuer – someone to forgive us of our sins and empower us to live differently in the future. We need to be "called out of darkness and into light" before we can begin to live well (2:9). When we come to Jesus, he makes us right with God, he becomes our Cornerstone around whom we can build a whole new life, and we are given his presence to begin to follow his example.
So, yet again, I ask you, "Have you come to Jesus?" If you are asked, "On what basis do you think a holy God should accept you?" Is your answer, "My faith and hope is in Jesus and in him alone."
Once that is clear, then we can ask, "Now, how should we live?" Peter tells us several things:
Life-change #1: Freedom from a life of "craving" what doesn't satisfy
Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul (2:11).
I think this translation of 1 Peter 2:11 is a bit unfortunate. What we are to "abstain from" is "epithumia" -meaning "over-desires". It's desiring something material or temporary too much. What we desire might be a good thing. But, if we desire it too much -- thinking that temporary thing can be our "cornerstone" -- it will become our "god". I think most people want to live well. But, we keep thinking there must be something in this world that will make everything good. We desire that something – crave it – long for it. Then even if we get it -- catch that young man or woman, experience that pleasure – we discover it lets us down. It doesn't fulfill. It doesn't last.
That thing we "over-desire" can be either good or bad. It's like a parent living for his children. Children are good! But, then the parent lives his life for his children – through his children. He holds on to them always afraid he might lose them. Dying inside when they fail at sports. Burning inside when they defy him. Suffocating them. Do you see what can happen? A good desire can become an "over-desire", an obsession. We think, "I've gotta have it!" Those "over-desires" promise to do for your inner being what God alone can do.
I want to read you something that humorist Cynthia Heimel wrote:
I pity celebrities, no I really do –(three celebrities) were once perfectly pleasant human beings. But now their wrath is awful. I think when God wants to play a really rotten practical joke on you he grants you your deepest wish and then laughs merrily when you get what you want and realize you want to kill yourself. You see, (these three) all wanted fame. They worked, they pushed and the morning after each of them became famous then they wanted to take an overdose. Because that giant thing they were striving for, that fame thing that was going to make everything OK, that was going to make their lives bearable, that was going to provide them with personal fulfillment and happiness had happened and they were still them. The disillusionment turned them howling and insufferable.
Cynthia Heimel, If You Can't Live Without Me, then Why Aren't You Dead
And, sports' fans, who could ever forget New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady's honest and insight-filled testimony to 60 Minute's Steve Kroft in 2005?
Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, "Hey man, this is what is." I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, 'God, it's got to be more than this.' I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be.
Tom Brady, 60 Minutes Interview with Steve Kroft
When we come to Jesus, we're rescued from the hope-less life of promising but unfulfilling over-desires. Peter says our over-desires "war against our souls". The "soul" is that part of us made to know God. That means, of course, that we must always watch out for our souls. We need to take a Sabbath to be with God. We need times of solitude to do like King David did: spend time alone only with God beside quiet waters. Sometimes, even our desire to be productive makes us only busy and our souls have no time to know God's presence. The soul is the place where we know God – and there is a lot that wars against it.
It's like me sitting a reading a book with one leg crossed under me. Blood isn't getting to my leg and I don't even notice it. Then, after reading a while, I try to get up and... it's numb! This is what happens to our souls. We need time with God so we will have strength to live among the nations. God says, "I gave you something I didn't give a rock or a fish or a plant. I gave you the ability to have fellowship with me. To relate to me and love me. I gave you a soul! Now, have your soul's desire to be for me"
So we are set free from having to find our meaning in life in our careers, in our reputations, in our successes... We are set free from that kind of over-desire for something that doesn't fulfill. How then do we use that freedom? Peter said, use your freedom the way Jesus did; i.e., to serve.
Life-change #2: Freedom to serve in your nation as Jesus served
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority... Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves (2:13,16).
Remember that Peter's first readers were under one of the worst political regimes in history. The Roman Emperor was Nero, a man who used his clout only for his own advantage and who, eventually, blamed Christians and Jews for his failures. As I pointed out last week, the way most of our brothers and sisters in the early church applied 1 Peter's teaching was that they made a commitment 1) to scrupulously keep the laws of the nation unless they directly contradicted the laws of God, and 2) to pray diligently for their governmental leaders – that God would both guide and bless their leadership. They did not bitterly complain or always look for the leaders' flaws but longed for their leaders to make wise, compassionate and just decisions. They sought to be a positive influence in the nation even when the political system was often corrupt. Bottom line: They knew the kingdom of God would not fail simply because some political leader was bad. This set them free... to serve.
Notice the paradox of v. 16: Live as free people – live as slaves, slaves of God. We are God's chosen people. Jesus-followers fear dishonoring God! This fear of God takes away all other fears. And, obedience to God sets us free to serve others. In this way, service is not servile. This kind of service is like Jesus' was – strong and not wimpish. Peter is saying that any clear-thinking emperor or king or president or governor should know that if there are Christians under his authority, he will have supportive people whose lives contribute positively to the nation.
Does this mean that we should do what is evil if the laws dictate it or support injustice if it is happening in our nation? Absolutely not. All authorities are under God's authority. He is the one who has instituted it and we are now ultimately subject to his holy rule. Notice phrases like "for the Lord's sake" (13), "instituted among men" (13), and the purpose of the government is "to punish wrong and to commend what is right" (14). When a government punishes right and rewards evil, we must obey God rather than human powers.
This is a very complex and sometimes-controversial area (though the basic principle is quite clear) so I think that I can provide some guidelines for us from Peter's words that, I hope, are helpful.
#1: Government is part of what God has established in this imperfect world to enable society to function. All human authorities are imperfect but the world would be unlivable without authority structures. Not only does Peter say this but Paul also -- in Romans (to those living directly under Rome's rule), Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Romans 13:1).
People often think that they don't like to have to submit to outside authorities but we really cannot live that way – not well. We all both need and even want good authority. Think about a music group or orchestra. What if they say, "We don't believe in outside authorities." Then each one decides the key that he/she wanted to play in. The rhythm. Each one re-does different parts of the melody. Only occasionally do they pay any attention to the conductor. What a mess! And the same could be said about driving our cars, about playing sporting events – about almost every area of life.
I contend that we are always submitting to countless authorities – and we do so gladly. This encourages me in my role as your pastor – even though we are a congregational church. I know your longing and inclination is for your spiritual leaders to do well – and your calling is to respond well to that authority. A Christian knows that the proper use of authority doesn't necessarily get in the way of freedom. So, in the political arena, we respect the authority that lies behind civil government even whether good or bad. And Peter's words presuppose that we have already learned as those belonging to God's nation that there is a power above all the authorities God has established. So, if the authority acts for injustice or contradicts directly God's law, we live for God. Otherwise, we'll be law-abiding citizens.
#2. We represent not only ourselves but also Christ and his church through how we live in the nation. Notice again, we live this way "for the Lord's sake." And in v. 16, we never use our freedom to cover up evil. Peter wants us to know that we muzzle criticism for the entire family of God by conduct that is impeccable in its commitment to goodness and in its service for the benefit of others.
#3: Biblical freedom is not the liberty to do whatever we want but the liberty to do what we ought. Remember, we were set free from the bondage of having "over-desires" for things that cannot satisfy. Notice again the clear directive in v. 16: "Live as free people – live as God's slaves." Followers of Jesus have surrendered our wills to God. We seek to live his way in this world. Personal anarchy is not God's way. In fact, the uninhibited engagement in what my fallen freewill wants to do is what ruins my life and those around me.
#4: This respect for those in authority is a part of what is to characterize all our relationships. Jesus-followers value all people. We respect people as those made in God's image and for whom Jesus died. We therefore look to serve all people as Jesus served. Look at how Peter puts it in v. 17: Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor. There is a beautiful symmetry in this. Our lives should have integrity – singleness – in how we regard all people. We would never run unfair and unkind attack ads while running for office. We would never just focus on the bad in people – though we will confront what is bad. We will long for our leaders to do well and never gloat when they do not. And notice how Peter's words intensify: Respect everyone. Specifically, honor the king. But, love your eternal and unexpected family. And, most strongly, stand in awe of God. Fear displeasing him above all things.
So, Jesus-followers will generally be known to be people committed to following the laws of the land. We will always respect the offices our leaders occupy. We will serve those whose paths cross our own. But, when authority is used to reward evil and thwart good, we will be like Jesus and the prophets of old – we will use whatever God has entrusted to us to further God's kingdom. As Pastor Dietrich Bonheoffer said as he took a stand against Nazism, "We will be good citizens when we are representatives of Christ in this world. But no political leader is above the law. When God's law is ignored and God-given authority is used to perpetrate evil and injustice, we must respect the office but must also act against the evil."
But be careful in this. The Bible will not allow us to gripe and accuse and disrespect authorities simply because we don't like the system. You would have hated the system in Rome and still you would have been called to follow the laws and respect the emperor.
Life-change #3: Freedom to serve your workplace as Jesus served
Servants, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to those over you, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh (2:18).
Our time is gone and this is also a big subject so let me make a few points to help guide you. First, the word "servants" is sometimes translated "slaves." But, the Greek word for slave (doulos) is in v. 16. We are slaves of God. The word in v. 18 is oiketai – the word for household servant. Peter is not talking about slavery like we had earlier in US history. We now belong to God – and that sets us free. The household servant was the working class of the Roman world. It would be the clerk, accountant, grounds' keeper, cook, etc. The largest percentage of those in Roman society was in this class. Some call it slavery because people born into the working class had no way to rise above their economic situation. Of course, this has been the situation with almost all people in history. It's only been in recent years that an American-like opportunity for people to have economic and employment mobility has become possible.
One more thing that might help is that the phrase translated "receive a beating" in v. 20 is a term for very harsh treatment. It's the term used about the way Jesus was treated. In using it, I'm sure Peter is saying, "If you go to work and you are ill treated as Jesus was ill treated, then this is how you should live."
I will come back to this in the future so let me simply say that this has a powerful word to all of us. If we go to work and don't like the job we have, or the boss we have, or the people around us, we should still go and seek to serve Even when we're treated badly, we should look for chances to serve. This forces us sometimes to trust God to deal with those who treat us poorly – and to believe God when he says, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay. You don't have to do my job for me!"
What should happen is this: We should pray for our bosses and for our company. We should work in ways that will help further their success. We should probably even go in to work early, pray for each encounter before it happens, and then work (as Paul says in Ephesians) as if we were working for the Lord. We should not gripe or always try to do the least amount possible because we don't like these people and this place. We should serve.
General Principle for Living for Christ in the Workplace
We should show by our lives that this workplace is a better place and a better business because we are there! Each day we go to work, as long as that place is our place of work, we will show that those who belong to Jesus are the best, most trustworthy, most supportive, and most pleasant workers. Our guiding principle will be that we go to serve others at work in the way that Jesus served us while we were sinners.
And, we will sometimes say, "This is hard!" And God will say, "It is worth it." And you will come to church and, if I am a good pastor, I will say, "Let's see what a life of someone else's service did for you!" And we will all look at the life of the one who shed his precious blood for us and this is what we will read:
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 cross, 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.
Jesus' service for us has forgiven our sins, given us new life, begun to heal our wounds and brought us back to God. Following his example will do the same in our world – to His glory.
