Mission for Moral Distinction
For the sake of our own souls and the salvation of others, believers must abstain from sinful desires and maintain godly conduct in all areas of life.
Mission for Moral Distinction - 1 Peter 2:11-12
Beloved, I Urge You…
As Temporary Residents of This World (because you are in Christ, with citizenship in heaven)
Abstain from Fleshly Desires
Such a command implies that inward desires are not uncontrollable but can be consciously nurtured or restrained—a needed rebuke to our modern society which takes feelings as a morally neutral ‘given’ and disparages any who would say that some feelings and desires are wrong.
Maintain a Godly Lifestyle
SO THAT...
Peter’s hope was that unbelievers will be compelled to admit that the lifestyle of believers is morally beautiful, and this admission will bring them to saving faith so that God will be glorified on the day of judgment.
Peter realized that not all will be saved when they observe the lives of believers (cf. 3:16). Nevertheless, he summoned believers to holiness with the confidence that some unbelievers will be brought to faith as they see the transformed lives of believers.