Reading Plan:
1 Peter 2

Our Thoughts:
What do you think about when you hear the word command? If you’re like me, then your mind may go to that moment in Star Wars when Emperor Palpatine says “Execute Order 66” in that weird, sinister voice of his.
Okay, so I’m a nerd. Nice to meet you.
Nevertheless, the Bible is also full of commands. Not the Palpatine-style commands that are intended for harm. The commands of Scripture that are given by the Father in love for the good of His people. The Bible is also packed full of ancient wisdom, beautiful poetry, and scandalous love songs (T-Swift’s got nothing on King Solomon, y’all). However, amidst all of this incredible literature, it is the commands that give us the clearest picture of how we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philemon 2:12).
So, what exactly does God lovingly command for His Church? That answer can be found in the first three verses of 1 Peter 2. Take a moment to reread through those verses.
Seems simple enough, right?
God calls us to lay aside all of our human tendencies, what Peter says are “malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander,” and consume Scripture as a newborn takes to milk - like it is a requirement for life itself.
While the latter of Peter’s exhortation seems difficult in its own right (I’m not always the best with consistent Scripture reading), how on earth do we accomplish the first part? How do we put away all of those human tendencies? The rest of this chapter gives us a road map for doing just that.
Verse 11 says, “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” As “sojourners and pilgrims” (Bible talk for people living in a place that is not natural for them), we should wage war against our fleshly desires, adapting ourselves not to the world, but to Christ Himself. While we strive for this Christ-like nature, we should conduct ourselves in such an authentic manner that our testimonies alone may be able to lead others to Jesus.
In Verse 13, Peter tells us to “be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” This can seem a bit unfair, especially when those human institutions are not always just or equitable. But we have to think about this: Jesus was the human manifestation of a holy, perfect God, and even he was persecuted and murdered by ruling authorities. And he submitted to this willingly. How much more, then, should we strive to honor institutions, bring peace in our relationships, or even just listen to a nagging boss at work? When we submit to those in authority over us, especially harsh authority, God is honored, and our testimonies are strengthened.
Finally, we come to one of the hardest passages in 1 Peter 2 verse 18: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust.” This is a hard pill to swallow, especially for those of us who live in the “Land of the Free.” Nevertheless, Jesus left us an example to follow: when (not if) we suffer, we should do so with patient hearts aimed toward God, eagerly awaiting whatever lesson is to be revealed through our pain. In this, our hearts are purified and God is glorified.
So, why should we, as the Church, follow this command?
Reread verses 4-10.
Just as Christ is the “cornerstone,” the foundation of our faith, we are the “living stones,” the building blocks of the Church. We, as living stones, make up the spiritual building that serves as a temple for the presence of our God. In this temple, this Church, the sufferings that we endure are offered up as spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. This is the purpose of the Church, which is also the purpose of the believer. The sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross gives us a beautiful picture to trace in our own lives. A picture that shows what it means to be His follower, to be His Church.

More Questions:
What is something that you struggle with abstaining from? How are you combating that temptation?
When is it hardest for you to hold your tongue? Practicing patience can be tough. Keep an open mind when listening to people in authority over you. Try to see their point of view.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for your lovingkindness, even in our suffering. In the times I feel most distant from You, I know that You are with me. Your blessings surround me even when I am blind to them. Continue to purify me and bring out my impurities as I grow closer to Your likeness.

Author: Bailey Woods