The Apostle to the Circumcision wrote to sojourning Christians scattered in regions south of the Black Sea; namely, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. In encouraging them through difficult times, he penned these words of exhortation:
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Peter 2:11-17.)
In this passage we see that there is a war to be avoided, good works to be seen and wills to be considered.
Peter addresses them as “Dearly beloved.” The expression means, “…esteemed, dear or favorite.” Having a love for others is a real key to having an influence for good over them. Peter loved his readers, and encouraged them to love each other.
He approached them on bended knee, if you please. That is, he was pleading, begging or beseeching them. The apostle Paul used this approach in a number of places in his letters. (Rom. 12:1; 15:30; 16:17; 1 Cor. 1:10; 4:16; Phil. 4:2.) Since both were apostles, they could have commanded their audiences; however, the Holy Spirit chose the beseeching method. It is still a good method in urging Christians to do what they ought to do anyway. Not all begging is bad, if it is encouraging people to live up to the standard God has laid down in his word.
Meditating on this passage, we notice that Peter begs them “as strangers and pilgrims.” The expressions indicate that their stay was temporary, and that they were simply passing through the land, only stopping for a short spell. Is that not what life is? Life is like a bridge, we pass over it; but are not to make our permanent abode here. We seek the city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. But just what was Peter begging them as strangers and pilgrims to do?
Peter was pleading with them to abstain from fleshly lusts. Why? They war against the soul. There are some wars to be avoided. God made us with fleshly desires, but they are to find satisfaction in rightful realms. For example, sexual desires are to be fulfilled within marriage. (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:1-5.) An appetite for food is to be fulfilled by eating right. Restraint and self-discipline is to be practiced even in realms which are right. Peter says that fleshly lusts war against the soul. Though we are soldiers of Christ, we are to avoid this war because it will destroy our souls.
As foreigners dwelling in a strange land, we are to be involved in good works. Our conversation or conduct will be seen by others, even some who would speak evil against us as Christians. It should be no surprise that some will speak against us. However, by their having observed your good works, they will come to glorify God. This reminds us of our Lord’s words: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16.) Sometimes, the best answer we can give our enemies is our works, not our words. The better response to those who speak against us may be to outlive their criticism. In this passage there is a reference to silencing our critics. Peter says, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” “Silence” here means “to muzzle; cease to make a sound.”
There are two wills to be considered in this scripture. There is the will of men, in particular, Christians. And there is the will of God.
Then Peter commands, “Submit yourselves….” Submission means to yield the will. Christians are to yield their wills to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king or unto governors. We are to give way to every law, whether federal, state or local. (Rom. 13:1-7.) Since we are servants of God, we are to bend our wills to his. (1 Peter 2:16.) The only exception to this is when a law is in direct violation of our duty to God. Peter and the other apostles answered the Sanhedrin which had commanded them not to teach in Jesus’ name: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29.) We will not be silent in opposing abortion, homosexuality, gambling and other wrongful things which government allows and supports. Every Christian should oppose these immoral practices.
The purpose of civil government, regardless of the kind, is twofold: (1) It is to punish the evildoers; (2) it is to honor, uphold or support those who do well. However, we often see just the reverse. We observe the evildoer often getting off scot free. Justice does not always prevail in this world. This was true in the first century; it is also true in the twenty-first century. However, one day each of us shall stand before the righteous judge, Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:31.) And there is no question that he will right all wrongs. Justice shall ultimately prevail.
The second will under consideration in this text is God’s will. We know that it is God’s will that we do well. Peter’s clearly states this. We may not always please the will of men, but we must always strive to please the will of God which is clearly revealed in the Bible. This is to be done even under trying circumstances.
THE INFORMER
August 16, 2015