Living for Christ

Explanation: Peter continues with the theme of suffering, but now he makes the connection between Christ’s suffering and the believer’s suffering as to how it relates to sin. The wording of verse one is confusing in the way stated because on its own it seems to teach that a believer can obtain perfection in this life. In context, it is better understood as a relative comparison. In the case of Jesus, His suffering from taking on sin was a distinct one-time event. After the Cross, Jesus was done with sin. In a similar way (but not exactly because we aren’t Jesus), the believer is to be done with sin as a way of living.

Illustration: Eating a particular type of food (one that you enjoyed), and then becoming violently ill with food poisoning. Even though you once enjoyed that food, now the very thought of it makes you ill - you are done with it!

Argument: Because we have a sin nature, we will still have to deal with sin in our lives until Jesus Returns or He calls us home. BUT, because we have been forgiven and bought with a price, we are called to a higher way of life. No longer are we to engage in the passions of the world. We are to live as aliens and pilgrims even though we realize that our different value system will bring ridicule, misunderstanding, persecution and hatred

Application: Be mentally and spiritually prepared to suffer for Christ in this world. Remember who you belong to, and to whom you have sworn allegiance.

Living for Christ prepares one for the Judgment ()

Explanation: Peter reminds his fellow travelers of the coming judgment. He is giving them encouragement by bringing to their minds the reality that no one escapes from God’s judgment. It is highly probable that those who ridicule, abuse and persecute God’s people will not be brought to justice in this life. They probably will never even be charged with wrong-doing. In fact, the world may celebrate what they do against Christ-followers. Peter is reminding his brothers and sisters that while it is possible to escape man’s justice, it will not be possible to avoid God’s judgment (Heb 9:27)

Peter is reminding his brothers and sisters that while it is possible to escape man’s justice, it will not be possible to avoid God’s judgment (Heb 9:27)

Illustrate: Jakiw Palij was deported to Germany in Aug. 2018 at the age of 95 to face trial for war crimes he committed as a SS guard for the Nazis. Jakiw had been living in NY city since the 1950’s and had resisted deportation for 14 years

Argument: Christians are not to be vindictive. Indeed, we are called to tun the other cheek (). Therefore, we are never to gloat or feel smug about a non-believer burning in Hell. We can take comfort in the reality that this world does not get the last word, and that the Judge of all the Earth will do that which is right ().

Peter gives a reason for this hope, albeit in a confusing way in verse six. The Scriptures never speak of anyone receiving a second chance after death, and they don’t speak of the Gospel being preached to anyone after his or her death. In context, Peter is speaking of believers who have since died. He is telling the other, living Pilgrims that the Gospel came to their friends and neighbors who received ridicule and persecution in this life and never received earthly justice. Now that these believers are physically dead, they are reaping the benefits of belonging to Christ. “Even though from a human perspective believers seem to gain no benefits from their faith since they die, from God’s perspective (which is normative), they live according to the Spirit.”

Schreiner, T. R. (2003). 1, 2 Peter, Jude (Vol. 37, p. 208). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Application: We need to remind ourselves that Christ is already Victorious! If we belong to Him, we win in the end as well. Look ahead and anticipate the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13)

Living for Christ requires wisdom for the use of limited resources ()

Explanation: Peter exhorts the Pilgrims to keep on serving and living for Jesus because the end of all things is at hand. Peter repeatedly reminds his fellow believers of the end-time hope as a means of motivation. Those unbelievers who mistreat and persecute believers (mentioned in vv 4-5) will face God’s judgment at the Great White Throne. Believers will be judged for rewards at the Bema seat of Christ. While Peter doesn’t specifically mention the believers judgment in v. 7, he is reminded his fellow Pilgrims that time is limited and they need to make the best use of the time they have been given.

Illustrate: Spending quality time with our children and grandchildren. The amount of time we have to pour into them is limited. It may not be over tomorrow, but when we put off taking that trip or building that playhouse we can easily lose the moment

Argument: According to God’s timetable, the world is currently in the last days. This time period began with the Incarnation of Jesus, and has thus far lasted 2,000 years. There will be a final time of the end which will reach its climax with the physical return of Jesus to planet earth to set up His kingdom, but believers are never told how long the between times will last.

The main focus of such prophetic promises is to give hope, not to induce wild speculation about date setting, star gazing, and unwise living. This is why Peter calls the believers to be self-controlled & sober-minded. The last thing the unbelieving world needs to see is more end-times zealots quitting jobs and camping on a mountain top because Jesus is coming back next Tuesday!

Application: We should understand that the time we have been given for effective Gospel ministry is limited. Jesus may come back in our lifetime, but even if He doesn’t, our lifetime is limited. We need to redeem the time we have for His glory, and not in undisciplined spiritual living.

Living for Christ to the Glory of God is possible because we have been given Spiritual Gifts ()

Explanation: Peter encourages his fellow Travelers to be rich in love and hospitality towards one another, and to make good use of the grace gift each has been given. He reminds them that the Holy Spirit has given these grace gifts for the purpose of ministry (serving to build up the body). He tells them that when they use their spiritual gifts in the correct manner, the body will be built up and God will be glorified

Illustrate: benefits of working out of giftedness. Study of increasing reading ability at Univ. of Nebraska. The base group had an avg reading speed of 90wpm. After going through the skills training, the group increased to 150wpm. The other group consisted of gifted readers. Their avg reading speed before the training was 350wpm; after the training they averaged 2,900wpm

Argument; Peter does not give a list of gifts as is found in or , but instead divides the gifts into two broad categories, speaking gifts and serving gifts. Looking at the other passages, we find that the speaking gifts include teaching, preaching, prophecy, and exhortation, and tongues while the serving gifts include giving, leading, mercy, hospitality, healing, and miracles.

Peter’s point is that since each believer has been gifted, he or she is to use that gift in a manner of good stewardship and with complete dependence upon God. When done this way, the Kingdom work is advanced and God receives the glory. If the glory is coming to a person, something is wrong.

Application: Accept that as a believer in Christ you are a minister. You have a gift and you need to discover it and use it for kingdom purposes. The gifts bring responsibility to those who have them, and if we don’t use them for the Glory of God we are not being good stewards.

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