Message

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Until now Apostle Peter talked about new birth into a living hope, new life to be holy, and new identity toward the world in Christ Jesus. In today’s passage Apostle Peter gives practical advices to the scattered suffering Christians to have inner battle and submit to the authorities of the world. He exhorts them to do so by following Jesus’ example. It is related to how to live a social life as a Christian. The gospel of the cross of Jesus is the foundation of our personal Christian life and social life as well. First, abstain from sinful desires (11-12). Peter says in verse 11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” Peter speaks to those who are aliens and strangers, (or sojourners and exiles). This world is not their true home. They are sojourners and travelers to their home in heaven. Peter urged them to abstain from sinful desires. Here “sinful desires” is in other translations, “fleshly lusts” or “the passions of the flesh.” To abstain from sinful desires is to be an ongoing battle in the soul of each believer. It requires inner struggle for all Christians. This is a constant teaching of the Bible. Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:13, “For if you live according to according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” He also said in Galatians 5:24, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Paul also said in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith…” The world is quite opposite to this teaching of the Bible. It encourages people to just follow their natural desires, being honest with themselves. Many think that following the passions of the flesh are a part of human rights. It is out of sheer ignorance of the spiritual reality. How can one be honest to their sinful desires? When people live according to their fleshly lusts, their souls are devastated and their lives are totally ruined, regardless of their human accomplishments and positions and wealth in this world. This is one clear reason why there are so many broken families. We are now living in the time of moral revolution, becoming the object of God’s wrath in suppressing the truth of God. Paul unambiguously wrote about this in Romans 1:18-32, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wicked of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness…For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator…Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural one. In the same way men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” God’s wrath and punishment are already here in our society. At the time of Noah, people followed their fleshly desires until they became flesh with the departure of the Spirit of God and they could not escape God’s judgment by the flood. Jesus compared the last days to the day of Noah. He said in Luke 17:26-27, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” Marriage itself is not bad or wrong at all. It is God’s design for man’s happiness and being fruitful in the world. In God, marriage is a blessed life and physical union enhances the relationship between a husband and a wife. But the tragedy is that people leave God out of marriage and life. We should never follow the trend of the world in this postmodern time when the truth of God seems to be thrown on the ground (Da. 8:12). We should rather stand on the truth of God and abstain from sinful desires which war against our souls. God’s people should not allow pornography and always watch out for alluring and tempting site in the electronic devices. Yet, our struggle against our flesh is different from asceticism, which is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures including the harsh treatment of the body. Rather, it is to depend on the blood of Christ in repentance and to hold to the living and enduring word of God. It is to positively live by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” That’s why we need to mediate on God’s word and pray each morning so that we can live by the Spirit. Abstaining from sinful desires is related to being holy and living a holy life as we studied. Now verse 12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” Certainly, our inward life influences our outward life. Each one’s personal pure life is the most potent factor in our life in this world. “Live such good lives among the pagans” is in other translation “keep your behaviour excellent among the Gentiles.” So we can think of verse 12 as the guiding verse for the following verses in this passage. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Second, submit for the Lord’s sake (13-20). Now Peter says in verses 13 and 14, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” Here Peter sets the general principle of Christians’ social life. That is to submit themselves to every authority instituted among men. And it is to be for the Lord’s sake. There should be an order in any human society through its citizens’ submission to its authorities, which punish or commend according people’s deeds. Otherwise, there would be a chaos in the society, where everybody would suffer. However, Christians’ submission is more than just for the order of the society. It is for the Lord’s sake. Peter speaks further in verse 15, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” In this case one should be clear that he or she is doing good with the right concept of good and evil, seeking for God’s will. Now in verse 16, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” It is likely that freedom and submission cannot go together. The two things seem to be opposite. Yet, it is not. Free men can submit for the Lord’s sake. Christians are really free people, for Christ purchased our freedom from sin with the price of his own blood. It is written in 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” And Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Yet, Christians use their freedom for submission for the Lord’s sake and for the glory of God as God’s servants. This is beautiful submission, free and voluntary, holy and high. Peter explains the life of submission in verse 17: “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.” Here we see that submission is not out of fear of people or compulsion to a system, but it is out of fear of God and love and respect for other people. This is a very deep concept of submission. After giving the general principle of submission, now Peter applies it to slaves. He says in verses 18, “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those are harsh.” Peter did not say that slaves should try to change their social status of slavery. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:21-22, “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freeman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.” Paul teaches how we should live in God’s given situation, which matters before God. It is to live with the spirit of freedom and submission in respect to those who are in a higher position in a society, regardless of who they are. Paul also said in Ephesians 6:5-6, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…” This should be our work ethics in our workplace. Now here in verses 19-20, “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” Who wants to be under the pain of unjust suffering? Everyone wants to be treated justly. No one wants unjust suffering. However, it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. Subsequently Peter compares two kinds of endurance: one is to endure after receiving a beating for doing wrong, and another is to endure after suffering for doing good. The latter is commendable, but not the former. Then Peter said, “To this you were called.” What kind of calling is this? This calling is to suffer for doing good. To suffer for doing good is not only commendable before God, but also it is a calling from God. We remember that when Jesus encountered Peter at the beginning in the seashore of Galilee, Jesus said to him, “Go into deep water and let down the nets for a catch” (Lk. 5:4). After that Jesus called him with this promise, “From now on you will catch men” (Lk. 5:10). Catching men was the purpose of Jesus’ calling for Peter. God called Abraham with the promise, “You will be a blessing.” God’s calling is fundamentally a blessing. Then how is the calling to suffer for doing good a blessing? It is because this is a wonderful chance to learn of Jesus, following him. Consequently Peter said in verse 21, “because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” First of all, Christ’s suffering is for our sins dying as an atoning sacrifice, and so this is for our salvation. Also, this is an example for us to follow in his steps. Jesus clearly said to those who would follow him, “you must deny yourself and take up the cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). God’s purpose is that his people may become like his Son (Ro. 8:29). Sometimes we suffer after living a life of faith, or making a decision of faith. But through this kind of suffering we can truly follow and learn of Jesus and be moulded into Christ-like character. What a blessing! When one becomes a Christ-like person, that person will give the fragrance of Christ and people will gather around him. Thus the person can catch men. We really thank and praise God for this calling. Third, Christ’s example (21-25). Now Peter tells us Christ’s example. In verse 22, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” According to Hebrews 7:26, Jesus is one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus is the truth itself having no part with deceit at all. Jesus said to the Jews in John 8:46, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” And according to Isaiah 53:9, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” Then Peter continued in verse 23, “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.” We remember that when Jesus was hanging on the cross, all sorts of people, passers-by, chief priests, teachers of the law, elders, rulers, soldiers, and even those who were crucified with him hurled insults at him. However, Jesus remained silent toward them with no hint of retaliation. Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” When he suffered at the time of arrest, trial and crucifixion, he had power to destroy all his enemies as the Son of God (Mt. 26:53). But he made no threats on them. He entrusted himself to him who judges justly, finally saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk. 23:46). This has been Jesus’ teaching. He said in Matthew 5:39, “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” At the time of Jesus’ arrest, one of his men drew out his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Mt. 26:52). Jesus knew that revenge begets revenge and all are destroyed. Apostle Paul also said in Romans 12:17-19, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil…Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Lev. 19:18). Peter also said in 3:9, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” We should watch out for any spirit of revenge or retaliation, entrusting ourselves to the righteous Judge. Now verse 24 says. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” Jesus once said while he was teaching in Luke 12:50, “I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed.” When he got to Gethsemane to pray, he began to be deeply distressed and troubled, and said to his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mk 14:34). How can we imagine his suffering and sorrow in his soul at the anticipation of his death? But we should not overlook his suffering in his body. Here Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body.” The author of Hebrews wrote concerning this Christ, quoting the words of Psalm 40:6-8, “When Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’” Jesus knew that to offer his body as a sin offering was God’s will to which he had to submit himself. Jesus’ physical suffering was vivid. He was beaten, and slapped on his face. He was flogged. His head was pricked by the thorns of the crown. Finally, he was nailed on his hands and feet on the cross, and his side was pierced by a spear. Thus his body was fully offered to God as a sacrifice on the tree. In the Old Testament those who hung on the tree was cursed ones. Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the tree as God’s curse of punishment. He suffered in that way for all our shameful, ugly and wicked sins. The old prophet wrote, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him….” (Isa. 53:5). No one wants to be blamed for the sin of others, let alone to be punished by it. But he was pierced and crushed and punished for our sins, for man’s sin is so terrible that it brings God’s wrath and punishment. No one but he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree. Certainly, it was for our peace and salvation in the restoration of our relationship with God. But Peter wrote further, “…so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” We are to hate sin to the point of dying to sin. And living for righteousness is certainly living for God. It is to have a clear life direction from sin to God. This is a consistent teaching of the Bible. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:15, “he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised from the dead.” He also said in Romans 6:13, “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (our hearts, minds, mouths, our ears, our feet and hands…) In verse 24, Peter wrote more, “…by his wounds you have been healed.” Why did Peter say this? Without this the passage seems to be flowing well. Without Jesus’ healing grace by his wounds, no one can live for righteousness by his own strength. Once Peter was so sick with fear that he denied Jesus three times against his wishes. He could not keep what he had said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Mt. 26:35; Mk, 14:31); “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death” (Lk. 22:33); “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you” (Jn. 13:37). But when he was healed by Jesus’ wounds, he could live and die for Jesus. A man was a weak-willed person and was very sick with fear. He was fearful to make any decision, fearing people and circumstances. But in God’s mercy he has been healed to make a decision of faith at each crucial time and live a life of faith, fearing God not people. Another person has been healed from a hedonistic immoral life, and living a spiritual and holy life of mission. Another has been healed from ego-centricity and a self-seeking life, and living a life of serving and sacrifice with the prayer to seek God’s kingdom first. When Peter said, “by his wounds you have been healed”, it was obviously quotation from Isaiah 53:5, “…the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” We thank Jesus for his healing grace that by his wounds he has brought us peace and healing in our sin-sick souls in a right relationship with God. We can continue to come to Jesus and see his wounds for the complete healing of our souls so that we may truly live a good life and be a blessing to others. Then verse 25 says, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” What an amazing grace it is! We were all like sheep without a shepherd, going astray. Now we have a wonderful shepherd, who said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” It is true what we have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.” We want to continue to follow our good shepherd Jesus. We thank and praise Jesus who himself bore our sins in his body and brought salvation and peace and healing in our souls. In this grace, may we die to sin and live for righteousness abstaining from sinful desires and growing in the submission of Jesus’ example.

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