December 2nd, 2025
by Matt Parker
by Matt Parker
Day 9. 1 Peter 2.
A mentor of mine aways told me when you see the word 'therefore' you must stop and see what it's there for. Chapter 1 ends with this:
All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
Then, 1 Peter 2 begins with "Therefore. " What he's getting at is since the Word of the Lord endures forever, " rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander " and seek the sincere milk of the Word!
In the midst of their exile and suffering, Peter encourages them to continue to grow up in the faith, grow up into the salvation they had received. While walking in the dark night of exile, he reminds them they are a chosen people; chosen and set apart to proclaim the glory of The Name! They (and we) were once estranged from God, but are now made whole and right before Him.
As a result, Peter calls them to a different sort of "rebellion"; a rebellion that only works in the Kingdom of God. In the kingdoms of men power, might, and influence are the weapons of the day. Not so in the Kingdom of God.
The weapons of this rebellion are good works and submission to unjust and unfair authority, not just the kind ones, but the cruel ones as well. Peter tells them to do it not for political or earthly gain, but to submit as unto the Lord so the foolishness of the accuser's words are brought to nothing by their good works and deeds.
How different this looks than what we see all around us today as we sometimes feel like strangers in a strange land. Oh, wait ... we ARE strangers in a strange land, sojourners for a time, a people whose citizenship is in the heavenlies, not here on earth.
They, and we, are called to this. It hasn't come on us by circumstance or accident. Our fellowship with Jesus in suffering is part of the deal; part of what draws us close to His side.
The next time you feel outrage over the unjust treatment of the saints, put down the keyboard of vitriol and swagger and replace it with the gentle and kind submission of Jesus.
In the midst of their exile and suffering, Peter encourages them to continue to grow up in the faith, grow up into the salvation they had received. While walking in the dark night of exile, he reminds them they are a chosen people; chosen and set apart to proclaim the glory of The Name! They (and we) were once estranged from God, but are now made whole and right before Him.
As a result, Peter calls them to a different sort of "rebellion"; a rebellion that only works in the Kingdom of God. In the kingdoms of men power, might, and influence are the weapons of the day. Not so in the Kingdom of God.
The weapons of this rebellion are good works and submission to unjust and unfair authority, not just the kind ones, but the cruel ones as well. Peter tells them to do it not for political or earthly gain, but to submit as unto the Lord so the foolishness of the accuser's words are brought to nothing by their good works and deeds.
How different this looks than what we see all around us today as we sometimes feel like strangers in a strange land. Oh, wait ... we ARE strangers in a strange land, sojourners for a time, a people whose citizenship is in the heavenlies, not here on earth.
They, and we, are called to this. It hasn't come on us by circumstance or accident. Our fellowship with Jesus in suffering is part of the deal; part of what draws us close to His side.
The next time you feel outrage over the unjust treatment of the saints, put down the keyboard of vitriol and swagger and replace it with the gentle and kind submission of Jesus.
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1 Comment
Loved this. Also we've heard the Milk reference many times in Mike's sermons 1 Peter 2:2. Good stuff.