Adult Bible Study

1 Peter – Filled with Hope While Persevering in Faith

Summer Session 5

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Living Honorably in the World

• Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-25

Believers are to pursue goodness in society as citizens and slaves.

MAIN POINTS/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Believers are to pursue goodness as citizens and slaves. They are to voluntarily submit to, but not fear, human authority. Believers are called to suffer as Christ did as we walk in His footsteps. Peter reminds us that Christ took on our sins and calls us to Him so that we may walk in righteousness.

RECAP/SETTING/CONTEXT
Peter has been discussing the idea of living as the people of God. He started Chapter 2 with a discussion about the status that Christians have as the people of God. They have been chosen by Him and drawn into fellowship with Him. Peter is reminding them of this status to remind them to praise the Lord for this relationship. He also reminds them that they are free in their bondage to Christ. Peter is also preparing them for service.

The freedom that Christians have in this world is that of foreigners and exiles. Christians abide in Christ so have no “home” here even though we will eventually inherit this world as co-heirs with Christ. As foreigners, we are to abstain or distance ourselves from fleshly lusts.

We are not to adopt the customs of the world that seek to make us slaves to sin and the world rather than slaves to God. We are to be separate from the desires of the flesh while still being a part of the world. We are to do all before God and for God. We are to ensure that our “light shines before others, that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)

Despite believers doing good and being primarily peaceful, unbelievers will still speak ill of the Christians because pagans are biased against God. Peter said that despite injustice to Christians, the world will be compelled to see the good of the Christian community. This will turn some to believe in Christ and glorify God. It is in this setting that Peter discusses that those that are to live as God’s slaves in the world must be willing to submit to others in the world.