September 24, 2020
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God’s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let’s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!
Peter opens his second chapter by reminding his audience of the identity they have received in Christ. Unlike the unbelieving world, we have been made “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (v.9a). God has done this work of grace in us for a very specific purpose: “…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v.9b)!
Out of this identity and this purpose, Peter calls his audience to live their lives in such a way that it gets the attention of the unbelieving world around them! Far from giving into the sinful desires which wage war on our souls, we are to conduct ourselves so as to draw people to God through our lives, that they may see the way we live and glorify God!
This is a call to radically different living in the midst of a pagan society, even to the point of suffering for living this way. To that end, Peter draws our attention to Jesus Himself as the perfect example! As we seek to lead lives of holiness and light, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who has already gone before us and done it perfectly on our behalf!
1 Peter 2
A Living Stone and a Holy People
2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 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.
Submission to Authority
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 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. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How does the example that Jesus gave us in His own life inform the way that we live in our culture and context? What are some ways that the Way of Jesus differs from the way of the world around us?
Dear Heavenly Father,
We have gone astray, like sheep , countless times, but like a good shepherd, You have continually pulled us to safety and brought us home. Thank you for loving us so much that You sent Your son to die for our sins. We are not worthy of this love. Your way is the only way and yet so many in the world are lost. Help us to keep our own vessel clean and pure so we can shine brightly and lead the way to You. Our only hope lies in You,LORD. Please heal our broken land. We are miserably failing and need You every hour. Oh Blessed Savior, please come to our rescue. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Padre amado Gracias por ser mi buen pastor gracias por dar a tu hijo en la cruz por nuestros pescados gracias por ese amor incomparable gracias por ser mi Rey y escuchar mis ruegos no merecemos nada porque no somos dignos de tu misericordia pero tu amor es tan grande que nos perdonas y nos guías siempre por el bien dame sabiduría llámame de tu espíritu santo gracias por todo mi Señor reina y gobierna mi vida en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?
AMEN and HALLELUJAH!!!! Dear Lord, we need you now because of all the hate and racism in our world. Please bring us back to you Lord. We need to glorify you. We lost and need you now. We need get our strength from you. We need to obey your commandments. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen
Father God, is saying, ‘Good morning to you to causal’?
Father, you are all knowing, all seeing, all caring. Are my words of greeting to you registered in your Book, where you write down my thoughts, my actions?
Father, let me say again, ‘Good morning my LORD’. May I begin to love you with my whole heart. May my love for you grow and overflow from my heart for my family and friends.
Father, please send the Holy Spirit today to touch me, fill me, to guide me. What kind and encouraging words can I speak today to my wife, my kids and their kids? Speak through me this day, Father, and let your words sink into their hearts.
Draw those who hear me this day towards your throne room. May my actions mirror your tender kindness. Use me Father as an example of a follower of your son, Jesus Christ.
Forgive me for I am weak. Place my feet on the path you have planned for me since before I was born.
Bless me, Father, as only you can. Enlarge my territory. Place your hand over me. Help me see evil and to run from it, so as not to cause you pain.
Father, be close to those who cry out to you in their pain today.
LORD, is your son crying out for them? Answer his pleas.
I greet you this day, Father, covered by the blood of your son, and it’s in his name I am able to pray to you.
Amen
PRAISE the LORD for JESUS, the lover and keeping of our spirits, body and soul.
I will honor all men, love my brother, fear God and honor the King.
Father you are the only one born without any sin. Please forgive us all when we tend to mess up in this world. Thank You for dying on the cross so that all that are saved by you may have enteral life in heaven with you.
Thank you God for your Love, help me through this day to be what you would have me do! Thank you for all many BLESSINGS
Verses 13 – 15 is an answer to the anarchy we are experiencing on our streets. I fear that this opportunity to share our thoughts on the devotional has become a forum to see who can have the best prayer rather than express what the chapter says to us.
Doug you are right not many comments on the meaning on the verses
Just speak up in a kind way what the script is saying to you.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Please let us not use the words of God as a cover up for evil. There is a reason there is so called anarchy in the streets. As Christians let us speak the truth and uncover all unrighteousness, not just what seemingly suits our purpose. People are hurting, and when they protest peacefully, it is not anarchy. God is definitely against injustice of any kind.
Please let us continue our out pouring of love to Jesus. It is not good to criticise our prayers and inject the idea of competition. If you know how the evil one works, it’s throwing mud at our worship to stifle our praises to God which haunts and bothers Satan our common enemy.. We are not unaware of his tactics. We should all be aware and read EPHESIANS chapter 6
God bless us all and to Him be all worship and glory, AMEN.
“4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”….How poetic, true and inspiring are these words in 1 Pet. 2.
I am so undeserving and thankful to be a part of God’s, “9 …chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”