"Christian Conduct" (Part 2)
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Summary:
Response Required
Response Required
Think of how often you are expected to respond to people.
You cannot relate to people without responding to them.
And responding correctly is an important consideration for Christians.
How should Christians live?
How should Christians live?
We must always keep the WHY in mind (12:1-2). But we must also know HOW.
You don’t become a Christian by HOW you live, but being a Christian should impact HOW you live.
In what ways? We looked at Paul’s list of 13 ways (vv. 9-13). It continues here (vv. 14-21).
This list is not exhaustive. We can’t be sure why Paul highlights these and not others.
These are basic (not easy) principles similar to others in the NT (Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Paul’s teaching to other churches, etc.).
You can learn from the NT how to live. We have law/commands/rules.
I think we can group the remainder of this list under 2 questions...
How should Christians respond to others? (vv. 14-16)
How should Christians respond to others? (vv. 14-16)
“Persecute” (v. 14) - to harass because of beliefs
Paul experienced this from both sides.
1 Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
Galatians 1:13 “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.”
2 Corinthians 4:9 “persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”
2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
“Curse” helps us understand “bless” because they are opposites. “Curse” is to invoke divine harm upon. It is a sort of wish. “Bless” (to speak well of ) then would be a wish for good or benefits.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Luke 6:27–28 ““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
We should want what is best for our persecutors - radically redeemed thinking (v. 2).
Verse 15 is the response of genuine love (v. 9).
This is identifying with the joys and sorrows of others. We get rejoicing and sorrowing over our things. We can apply that to others in thinking of them.
This can be done with unbelievers. But, it will be deeper with believers.
1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
Verse 16 encourages unity and gives a warning about the primary hindrance.
“Harmony” - has to do with the mind - “be of the same mind” - kindred (not cloned) thinking
Philippians 2:2–5 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”
“Haughty” - high/exalted thinking as opposed to other’s thinking; better than, arrogance, pride
Romans 11:20 “That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.”
“Lowly” - could be humble tasks or lowly people, either way “associate” is accommodate or adjust to, which basically calls us to relate to others in humility.
The last phrase includes the same root word as “harmony” and “haughty” in the word “wise.”
Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
How should Christians respond to evil? (vv. 17-21)
How should Christians respond to evil? (vv. 17-21)
We should be different (v. 17).
“Honorable” or “right” - beautiful, noticeably good, what can be easily seen as good.
Good is not defined by onlookers, but onlookers are a reason to do good.
We do not just represent ourselves, but God. There’s a bigger picture. There’s a higher goal.
2 Corinthians 8:21 “for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”
1 Peter 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
Strive for peace in how we treat people (v. 18).
We should tried to avoid having enemies because of how we treat them.
We will have enemies for other reasons.
Matthew 5:9 ““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.””
Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Trust God (v. 19).
We don’t need to make sure that people get what they deserve.
“Leave it” - give place to; it is God’s place.
God’s wrath is just and sure (Deuteronomy 32:35).
1 Peter 4:17–19 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Give (v. 20).
Proverbs 25:21–22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Even to your enemies if you have an opportunity.
“Burning coals” - can be associated with judgment; many think it is a metaphor of a burning sense of shame; some even see a reference to an ancient Egyptian practice of carrying a bowl of hot coals on their head to show that they repent of their sins.
Our deeds could have an impact on them for change/good.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
We can prevail by doing God (v. 21).
If we are controlled by evil done to us, it is prevailing.
If we are not controlled by evil done to us, by actually doing good, we are prevailing.
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
Right Resistance
Right Resistance
Resistance to selfish urges
Reason to resist (Romans 12:1–2)
Benediction: Romans 16:25–27 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8–4:19