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Holy Conduct

1 Peter 2.11 to 3.12

In these verses we have the beginning of a detailed description of the holy conduct which ought to mark the people of God, in the various circumstances of our life as strangers in the world.

As citizens

Good conduct must be the common feature of believers. We are only "pilgrims and aliens" in this world, but citizens of heaven (Philippians 3.20; John 17.16), so we must display our attitudes which have been shaped by the Word of God. We must not manifest the works of the flesh, such as malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (2.1).

It isn't easy, for we are in a permanent war against our sinful inclinations. This struggle is vividly described in Galatians 5:16-24. The non-believers, called here Gentiles, are on the watch for slips in moral conduct by believers, and they talk against us gleefully. The world has always delighted in speaking evil against God's people, we have often been given insulting nicknames since the earliest Christian churches, and sometimes we have even been regarded as enemies of the King or State. But on the day of visitation, literally day of inspection, meaning judgment, they will remember our good conduct and admit that we are indeed God's people.

True Christian behaviour is not assuming some pious position, or simply refraining from doing worldly things. It is very positive action, and includes honesty and good works in all walks of life.

Even though we are citizens of heaven, we must be subject to the government of the land where we live. Our responsibility is threefold:

1. we are to recognise and accept that the powers that be are ordained by God. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (Romans 13:1). We are to obey for the Lord's sake. This ruling applies even to atheistic human governments unless, of course, the law is anti-Scriptural. In that situation the believer must obey God rather than man (Acts 4:18-20).

2. we are to pay taxes to human government (Matthew 17:24-27; 22:21, Romans 13:7).

3. we are to pray for the leaders in human government: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

The believer in Christ has a marvellous liberty which others do not have. But he must not use his liberty to defy the authority of existing government, or to use it as a cloak of maliciousness. We must remember that although we are free, we are the servants of God.

Verse 17 is a fine motto for believers: Honour all people, which does not imply with the same honour - we are not instructed to love them all, but to respect them; Love the brotherhood, while we respect all men, we are to love the brotherhood, meaning other believers in the collective sense of brothers in Christ, and keep on doing it; Fear God, constantly, in both senses of reverence and dread, revealing by our lives that we are God-fearing people; Honour the king, he should be honoured because of his office, for the Lord's sake, regardless of who he is, whether a prime-minister or a president, and regardless of his inability and incompetence.

As subordinates

When this was written, society was divided between masters and servants or slaves. The word used for servant here means particularly a house servant rather than a slave, but similar directions were given to Christian servants (slaves) elsewhere (Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5-7; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9).

Today we would say, "Employees, be subject to your bosses." Bosses also vary, some being good and understanding, and others perverse or unreasonable. So long as he is not requiring something illegitimate or dishonest, the Christian employee ought to be subject to his boss, during the term of his employment, no matter how badly he is treated. To be subject implies freedom of choice, and the subjecting is done voluntarily, not because the employee feels that his boss is a great person but because of his own testimony for Christ.

In those days, if a servant displeased his master by stealing, lying or becoming rebellious and refusing to work, his master might give him physical punishment in the form of a beating. Today there are more subtle methods of punishing, such as giving a bad report, withholding a promotion or a bonus, transfer to an unpopular area, or dismissal. If the employee takes his punishment patiently, it is no great credit to him because he is only receiving what he deserved. Some people suffer for their own fault or foolishness. To recognise that it is so and to take the subsequent suffering patiently is no commendation.

But when evil things are done to us, unjustly, the natural reaction in all of us is to strike back. As believers, however, we must learn to let God take care of it, for vengeance is His, and He will repay (Romans 12:19), and He does a much better job of it than we could. The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven . . ." (Matthew 5:11-12). We are reminded of the sufferings of Christ, which are an example to us as believers.

During His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ suffered two kinds of suffering: He suffered for righteousness' sake as a human being and He suffered for the sins of the world.

He left us an example when during His life "He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant" (Philippians 2:7), then He submitted to ridicule and misunderstanding (Psalm 69). When He moved out into a public ministry, the gospel records tell us how He suffered for righteousness' sake. He let His Father settle the account.

When we suffer for our faith, we remember the example He left for us in that connection: let's allow God to handle those accounts for us also. And He will handle them, we may be absolutely sure.

His suffering for the sins of the world, however, was something only He could endure, and it does not constitute an example for us: it was the price of our redemption. We cannot suffer to wash away our own sins, much less suffer for the sins of the world. We believe and accept it, but we can never imitate it.

He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we, having in Him died to sins, might be born again to live for righteousness in Him. This is the true meaning of: "by whose stripes you were healed" found in Isaiah 53:5, which is so misquoted and taught falsely by faith healers today. The healing is of sins. There is no doubt that the Lord Jesus came to be the Great Healer, but the Great Healer heals of sins. No human physician can do that. The use here of these words reveals that the prophet Isaiah was not speaking of physical healing but of that which is immensely more important and more profound, healing from sin.

Humanity, both lost and saved, is called sheep: "you were like sheep going astray". This, too, is a quotation from Isaiah 53: "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (verse 6). The suffering of Christ is actually the theme of the last part of this chapter. He suffered to set us an example, and He suffered a vicarious, substitutionary death for our sins. But we have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

At home

These verses are concerned with holy conduct in domestic relationships, with special reference to that between husbands and wives. This subject is also covered by letters written by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3) who was on his own (he may have been a bachelor or a widower), whereas Peter was a married man - but both wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and their writings are therefore in perfect harmony.

God wishes married couples who are His children to be happy with each other in their homes, and has given us the key to their happiness in His Word. The holy conduct of husband and wife will ensure that the marriage is blessed and enduring.

It is generally accepted that it is the wife who makes the home, even if the artificiality of modern concepts of equality have undermined this very important role of the woman. It is therefore not surprising that the teaching we have here starts, not with the husband, but with the wife.

It follows what was taught about the holy conduct of "subordinates" at work. Submission in a biblical sense is voluntarily co-operating with anyone out of love and respect for God first, and then secondly, out of love and respect for that person. Wives are required to be submissive to their own husbands (not some other woman's husband!) in that same way. It has nothing to do with the customs in those days, but it is God's commandment: they are to submit themselves unto their own husbands, as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5.22).

For the sake of order in any situation, there must be headship. In marriage, that headship has been given to the husband. The obedience of the wife to her husband is not to be like the obedience of a child but is a voluntary submission in love. Perhaps a better word, because it means more, is to respond to her husband's love, for Christian husbands are to love their wives in the same way that Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).

Submitting to non believing husbands, or to husbands who, declaring themselves to be Christians, fail to obey the commandments of God in their matrimonial conduct, is a lot more difficult. But submission to them and the observance of a chaste conduct accompanied by fear (reverence is a better word) is essential in winning them over, and is far more effective than long arguments, reprimands or scornful attitudes. They can be won by their pious living, not by nagging.

The Christian wife is to preach a wordless sermon by her pure life which she lives before her husband. This purity is proved by her faithfulness, her manner of dressing herself, her obedience, and her respect for him. She is not called to submit to the point of compromising her relationship with God, however, for He must have first place at all times.

As regards the adornment of Christian women, they ought to dress up in a way that is becoming, in good taste and modest, reflecting their inward incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Of all the women in the Old Testament who evidenced a pious, modest and obedient character, Sarah the wife of Abraham is picked as an example: Sarah was such a beautiful woman that several kings wanted her as a wife, and Abraham had a great problem in that connection. But she called Abraham "lord" and was willing to obey him when he asked her to do some very extraordinary things - including telling a half-lie about being his sister and not his wife!

The words in verse 6 "if you do good and are not afraid with any terror" may be a reference to the terror which caused Abraham and Sarah to incur in that falsehood - it is most unlikely to happen to Christian women today. Sarah looked up to Abraham. It is wonderful when a wife can look up to her husband.

Comparatively little is said to the husbands, probably because a lot of instruction has already been given to them elsewhere. But what is said here is very important. The husband is not superior to his wife because of his role as head of the household. He should not be proud, selfish and regard his wife as an underling.

Every Christian husband ought to treat his wife as someone special. He must treat her considerately and intelligently, because she is the "weaker vessel" in this partnership of coheirs of the grace of life (if both are believers). He should give her first place in all things, for example, when they enter a room, she goes first, as they walk down the pavement, he walks on the outside for her protection.

When a woman loses her place, as in the present "equal society", she doesn't go up: she goes down. But when she remains in her place, she can be treated with honour and be given her rightful position, which her husband must do in order that his prayers may not be hindered.

Among brothers and sisters in the church

Seven features of behaviour are mentioned, six positive and one negative:

1. like-minded, not necessarily seeing everything in the same way where there can be a legitimate difference in opinion, but having the same desire to attain a righteousness worthy of God's people.

2. compassionate: having sympathy for each other, and giving encouragement, rather than criticising, complaining and being envious (Galatians 6.2).

3. love as brothers: brothers have a family tie which normally makes them stick together. Our brotherhood as children of God should also be evident and tie us together (John 13.35).

4. tender-hearted: only the merciful prove themselves to be members of the Kingdom of God and will obtain mercy (Matthew 5.7, 18.22).

5. courteous: humble-minded, not just an outward show of humility and servility, but a sincere regard for others expressed in respect and service (Romans 12.10), not trying to lord it over one another.

6. not taking revenge or striking back: this is part of our old sinful nature (Romans 6.6) which has been crucified in Christ and must be regarded indeed as dead (Colossians 3.5).

7. blessing: a believer wants well-being for all his fellow believers. We have been called to receive the rich inheritance of the divine blessings without deserving any, so how can we have ill feelings towards others in the same situation? Christ loved us whilst we were sinners (Romans 5.8), so likewise, we should love those who make themselves our enemies, wishing them well and doing good to them.

The way to happiness

Verses 10-12 are a quotation of Psalm 34.12-16, and is God's recipe for a good and enjoyable life. It depends on what we say and what we do: refraining from speaking evil and deceit, leaving what is evil and doing good, seeking peace (Romans 12.18-21). If we do this, the Lord will look upon us and hear our prayers!

A child of God is not to sit back and act piously, but to give up all indulgence in gossip and evil, and to do good and pursue that which ministers to peace. Let's live for God today. How important this is!

 

R David Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

12 having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,

14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men -

16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

17 Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 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.

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

23 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;

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.

25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Chapter 3

1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel -

4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous;

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."