I Peter 2:11-12, 3:13-17, 4:7-11, 5:8-10
“Dearly beloved . . .” The beloved whom Peter addresses were believers dwelling in the northern portion of Asia Minor. In preceding verses, Peter declared this audience to be a chosen generation which, in former times, was not a people. This description fits Gentile believers who were natives of the area. In the verse before us, Peter beseeches these believers to act as strangers and pilgrims. Strangers and pilgrims act differently from native peoples because they are different. All believers are temporary residents of planet Earth and are called to be different from the inhabitants of the planet by abstaining from the fleshly lusts.
Behavior is the manner in which one’s being is expressed. Behavior of the flesh testifies of man’s physical nature while behavior of the soul reveals that which is spiritual.
In verse 12, Peter directs us (believers) to have honest conversation when interacting with Gentiles (non-believers). An honest conversation reveals the truth. Believers know the Truth and are directed to reveal Him to all who do not know Him. Our conversation is to reveal Christ who came, not to condemn, but to save the condemned. We are called to reveal the righteousness which God has given us, the righteousness of the Son. Honest conversation shall result in Gentiles (non-believers) glorifying God in the day of visitation — the day in which God is revealed to them. It is the day in which they shall pass from death unto life by believing (Jn. 5:24).
Prior to the day of visitation, honest conversation is cause for non-believers to speak evil of us. Peter addresses the manner in which we are to respond to these evil-speakers in chapter 3. “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (v. 13). The question is rhetorical. The ones who would harm the followers of good are those who speak against the followers of good.
In verse 14, Peter tells us (the followers of good) to do the unnatural thing. The Apostle directs us to be happy. We are not to be fearful and troubled, the natural thing. We are to do the unnatural; we are to sanctify God in our hearts. We are to focus upon God and upon doing as He directs. We are happy when doing His will is the desire of our heart. It is His will that we have a ready answer to all who ask why we have hope when we should be fearful and troubled.
In verse 17, Peter addresses suffering and God’s will. Our suffering may be the will of God. If so, our suffering serves Him who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. It is better to suffer for love than to suffer for disobedience (evil doing).
Peter’s instruction has focused upon behavior toward non-believers. It is instruction issued to all believers because Christ has commanded us to declare the Father’s love to all peoples. Having directed believers to be different by refraining from fleshly lusts and to have a ready answer and to be happy in suffering, Peter points us to Christ and to His sufferings and to His presence with God at the Father’s right hand (3:18 – 4:6). Beginning with verse 7 of chapter 4, Peter issues a second set of instructions which addresses the behavior of believers toward each other.
In consideration of that which Christ has done, we are to be sober, to watch unto prayer, to have fervent charity among ourselves, to use hospitality without grudging, and to be good stewards of God’s gifts of grace. Obedience to this second set of instructions demands that we love one another as Christ loves us.
To be sober is to be serious, sensible, and solemn. Sobriety is characterized by appropriate behavior. The manner in which we choose to honor God is to be far more serious and solemn than the manner in which we honor one another.
To watch unto prayer is to watch and to pray. Watching involves waiting — waiting for the Lord to do as He has said. The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed (I Cor. 15:52). While we wait, we are to pray — pray, knowing that God would have all men come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9).
To have fervent charity among ourselves is to give, give, and give more without thought of recompense. Giving and giving more blinds us from seeing the failings (sin) in each other. We see only Christ in each other.
To use hospitality without grudging means to keep the tongue in check when making accommodation for others. God’s purposes are not served when we voice wrong-thinking.
To be a good steward of the many gifts of grace which God bestows, one must use them to glorify God who gave His Son for us.
Believers of today are not different from the believers who were scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia to whom Peter wrote. We are surrounded by individuals who do not know the love of God — do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Peter’s closing instruction to them in northern Asia Minor is for our ears also.
We are to be vigilant because we have an adversary. Satan cannot undo the perfection which is in Christ but he can, like a roaring lion, seek to destroy and devour. It was Peter’s prayer for them and for us that the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ, shall give us strength and peace (I Pet. 5:10).
The Holy Spirit moved Peter to write these things because the Lord God wants us to have strength and peace. The roaring lion flees from strength and peace. Let us do as the Lord desires. Let us be vigilant such that others see His strength and peace in us.
