1 Peter 2:17-25

Remember the theme of 1 Peter: the revelation or revealing of Jesus Christ in and through us now.  It is not speaking of the future return of our Lord.  I also emphasize that the sins of our entire lifetime are forgiven, past, present, and future sins.  When you read the epistles with the central message of the gospel in mind, it really helps to open up these New Testament writings.

Remember also that the fiery trial or trial by fire that Peter speaks of is to abstain from fleshly lusts so that Christ can be revealed through us.  1 Peter 2:11-12.  We begin to understand the idea of Christ living in us as we read the New Testament. We then ask ourselves the question, why do I still have these fleshly desires if Christ lives in me?  Our flesh is not yet redeemed.  Paul said that we have this treasure, the Holy Spirit, in an earthen vessel.  2 Corin. 4:6-7.  God indwells us by the Holy Spirit.  But we must abstain from fleshly lusts so that God and His divine nature are revealed through us.  How can anyone see Christ in us if we live our lives in selfishness?  Also, will we experience His joy and peace if we are suffering the pain that inevitably comes from sinning? No.  Jesus and His divine nature of love are revealed through us when we abstain from fleshly lusts and walk in love. This is the multi-faceted teaching of grace.  Peter says this is the TRUE GRACE of God.  1 Peter 5:12. 
Some people say that this will just come naturally to Christians after we hear of His grace and forgiveness.  Well, it didn't happen to the first century Christians.  Paul and Peter had to tell them directly to stop sinning even after they had heard that they were forgiven.  How is any Christian supposed to pick up their Bible and read through it and not see all of this?  Are we just supposed to ignore all of these admonitions to walk in holiness and just hear only that our sins are forgiven?  I think this is what brings confusion to many believers.  We hear sermons about grace and there is no mention of turning from sin.  Then we read our Bible.........

1 Peter 2:17-20  "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the king.  Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?  But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."  This is speaking of slaves and masters, but the principles still apply.  If we recognize that Christ has come to live in us because of our conscience toward God, we can act in love even if we are unfairly treated.  If we are sinning or acting immorally and we suffer for it, that is our own fault.  Even though we are saved by God through faith in His grace alone, our actions still have consequences in our lives here on the earth.

1 Peter 2:21-25 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth," who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."  Wow! These verses are so rich with truth. 

 We are supposed to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.  If we are to follow His example, we should stop sinning and stop lying!  If we actually stop sinning and participating in the lusts of the flesh, people will think we are strange or different. Then we can share with them the Good News of forgiveness of all sins.  1 Peter 4:3-4.  But the lives of many Christians are no different than unbelievers.  Many Christians are as guilt-ridden as many unbelievers because we think that God has forgiven our past sins but is holding our present and future sins against us.  That is why I emphasize that the sins of our entire lifetime are forgiven, past, present, and even future sins.  Then we can start walking in holiness and our lives will be truly different.  We will be at peace with God.  Our lives will be lived in holiness instead of selfishness before men.  This will draw people to the grace and love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:24 says that He bore our sins in His own body on the tree.  Jesus bore the penalty for our sins so that we don't have to.  Why?  So that we, having died to sins, should live for righteousness.  This is talking about our righteousness before God.  It is saying that we have died to the penalty of sin. This allows us to draw close to God without fear of punishment.  Praise the Lord.  Notice that righteousness before God and healing are tied together.  As we come to understand that we have been made righteous before God apart from our works, physical healing is ours also.  This is the grace of God for us.   Peter also says that by His stripes we are healed.  He is quoting from Isaiah 53:4-5.  "Surely He has borne our griefs (infirmities) and carried our sorrows (sicknesses); yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."  If you don't think Isaiah was referring to our physical sicknesses and diseases, look at Matthew 8:17.  Matthew said this verse was fulfilled when Jesus healed a group of sick people.

1 Peter 2:25 "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."  Who is the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul or our mind?  It is the Holy Spirit.  1 Peter 1:22.  He is the one Who is leading us through obedience to the truth to walk in love and turn away from sin and selfishness.  That is how the revelation or revealing of Christ will take place in us.

Keith Oliver