1 Peter

1 Peter 3:9-18
A faithfully biblical theology of suffering can go off the rails, veering into triumphalism on the one hand, or masochism on the other. However, our text in 1 Peter, not to mention the whole of the letter, plus the whole counsel of the Bible argue against either set of errors. As Peter continues to flesh out for us the subject of suffering as a believer, we are brought once again to God’s marvelous and gracious designs in history, as He makes Himself known to us and in us and through us, for the glory of His name.

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1 Peter 3:8-12; 4:7-11
Peter begins to wrap up his instructions to submit to all human institutions for the sake of our witness to the world. Having drawn this out in relation to many relationships common to all, he now turns his focus to one unique to believers – the church. So we will see that it is not only vital how we respond when the world sins against us, but it is perhaps more important how we respond when we sin against each other. The response called for is as radical as it is glorious, impossible but for the character and power of God as he dwells within his redeemed people.

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1 Peter 3:1-7
Continuing to expound the commandment of 2:17 to submit to every human institution, Peter now turns to marriage. Marriage has been a part of God’s creation almost since the beginning, and it has likewise been a target for the enemy nearly as long. In a fallen world, this becomes a prime area for the Lord to showcase his glory, through the shining forth of the obedience of his redeemed and indwelt people.

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1 Peter 2:11-25
Peter now turns to expounding specifics of how Christians should live, specifically in matters of authority. His instructions stand to challenge some of our very deep-seated ideals, especially those of us who are Westerners, as we see the nature of our place in relation to the true Sovereign who stands behind all sovereigns.

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1 Peter 2:11-12
Peter now turns to the holiness demanded of God’s people. Yet, he does not harangue or rebuke or order, but instead comes alongside to encourage his loved ones, as a good shepherd. This section, short as it is, reveals something very important about why Christians are to be holy in our lives, even as we struggle against opposition from others, giving not only an eternal certainty of vindication, but a present and urgent significance to our faithfulness even now.

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1 Peter 2:4-10
Having already taught the central, eternal, Christ-centered nature of God’s word, Peter now displays the essential nature of the scriptures by drawing in several of them to move his exhortations along. He now lays out a pattern in God’s working, how He always vindicates His man, and always accomplishes His purposes. Peter does this this to lay out how God’s final word will ultimately stand with respect to all people, either with regard to them, or with regard to Jesus Christ on their behalf, and so we see what that means for us here and now.

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1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Having discussed love, Peter now turns to longing, laying out instructions that may seem strange to us: Instead of the corrupt, sinful desires you used to have, long for the pure, spiritual sustenance that God provides. While it may seem odd to us to be told to desire, our text contains the key to this, as we are taught to yearn aright for the Lord whose kindness we have already experienced.

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1 Peter 1:10-25
Peter says that Christians have been regenerated by God – born anew. He now goes on to expound how this new birth takes us from our old way of life to a new one, and evidences a new, holy, and self-sacrificial character, in accordance with that of our new and heavenly Father, and how this must issue forth in love.

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1 Peter 1:1-12
The first letter of Peter is primarily concerned with how Christians respond to suffering. In this introductory section, the apostle lays the true grounds for why we suffer how we do, and indeed for why we suffer at all.

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