Recap

In  1 Peter 2:11 we considered the Apostle Peter’s instruction to abstain from sinful desires (lit passions of the flesh) — i.e. strong emotions that wage war against our souls by leading us away from pure and simple devotion to Jesus.

1 Peter 2:12

Live such good lives

• literally keep your conduct (or conversation) beautiful / honourable / honest
• this is the flip side of last week’s theme.  We abstain from indulging in sinful or destructive  emotions, thoughts and desires, in order to be free to focus on better things.
• what does beautiful or honest conduct look like?
• what is its source?

among the pagans

• literally among the Gentiles. Peter, the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:8), was probably writing to assemblies made up mostly of Jewish believers, so he may have literally been instructing his mostly-Jewish disciples about how to conduct themselves among the Gentiles. Relationships between Jews and Gentiles were not always positive, and he may have wanted to instruct his flock – as followers of Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of the world – to show kindness, purity and love to Gentiles.
• But you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate Peter’s point. The word Gentiles can also be understood as a synonym for pagans, meaning those outside the faith. In the first century world, pagans believed in many gods and practiced a sexually permissive way of life. We are to keep our conduct excellent among those outside, who may not have a positive opinion of our faith.
• Does this seem applicable to our present-day context?

that though they accuse you of doing wrong

• Jews refused to worship the emperor, and when Gentiles became believers in Jesus they likewise refused to bow to Caesar, insisting that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11)
• Followers of Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, likewise refused to join in the general debauchery and sexual promiscuity that was part of pagan worship (1 Peter 4:3-4). For this they were viewed with suspicion and rejection on account of their supposed odium generis humani (hatred of the human race). [Source: Causes of the Early Persecutions, History Today]
• Does this sort of suspicion of Christians and Jews have any parallels in Canada today?

they may see your good deeds

• Note the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16
• In the face of opposition, what sort of attitude was Peter encouraging his flock to adopt?
• How can we do this? Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12-16

and glorify God

• we need to die to the desire to win the praise of people
• this was one of the main reasons Jesus found fault with the Pharisees ( )
• if our non-Christian neighbours end up glorifying God, it won’t matter whether we get the credit

on the day he visits us

• when Jesus returns to judge, cleanse and rule the earth, what will happen to our non-believing neighbours (including those in our society who are currently most opposed to the gospel)? Will they be among those who welcome Him with praise and worship, or will they suffer eternal loss?
• what about us? If someone who opposes everything we stand for ends up repenting and being saved, will we be glad or will we complain about it as Jonah did when God spared Nineveh?  (Jonah 3.10, Jonah 4.1, Jonah 4.11)
• Let’s check our hearts and ask the Lord to give us His love – and a heart to do good and intercede – for our non-believing fellow Canadians, including those who hate everything we stand for.
• Matthew 5:44-45