Living hope

Jesus was the substitute. He died in our place for our sins. In yesterday’s passage, we considered how Jesus provided a great example for us to follow regarding suffering. In this next verse, Peter quickly adds that Christ’s work on the cross was much more than a great man leaving a great example. Peter explains what is known in theology as “the substitutionary atonement.”

Peter wrote his first letter from Rome in late AD 64/early AD 65 during intense persecution. The mistreatment normally started in the larger cities and then spread throughout the countryside. Peter wrote to believers in what is today Northern Turkey. He wrote to warn and prepare them for the undoubtedly tough times ahead. Peter explained that Jesus was the example of how to respond to suffering.

There are times in life our circumstances don’t seem fair even though we are following the Lord. When the believer handles these situations well, it “is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” But let’s be honest. There are times when believers are habitually late, waste time, are poor team players, don’t pull their weight on a project, demonstrate a bad attitude, and perform poorly. If any of those things describe you, don’t cry foul when you are confronted.

Not every job is the perfect job. Not every boss is fair. Not every assignment is your first choice. Not every project can get done in a forty-hour...or even fifty-hour week. Not every pay increase is what you expected. Not every promotion goes your way. Not every meeting is your awards ceremony. Not every transfer is your choice. This is the world…the real world we live in.

Certainly, we are to demonstrate love to believers. We are to live in reverence and awe of God. We are to show honor to those placed in authority over us. And…don’t miss the first two words of this verse…we are to show proper respect to everyone.

“How can a man be happy who is the servant of anything?” That question was asked by the Greek philosopher Plato. Most people would agree. We live in an Invictus age where “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” At least, I want to be! Freedom and happiness are seen as the result of being in total control. But for the believer, freedom takes a different turn.

How is a believer supposed to respond to the government? Peter gives us very straightforward instructions.

Actions speak louder than words. It matters how we conduct ourselves within the walls of our homes. It matters how we do marriage and how we parent our children. It matters how we interact with neighbors. It matters how we drive on the roads, respond to an overworked store employee, and coach little league teams. It matters how we treat work associates. It matters that we put in an honest day’s work for our wages. These things matter to the people in our lives and those we interact with every day. Today’s passage reminds us that others are watching closely.

In our passage today, Peter likens these sinful snares to soldiers coming to make war. Equipped with the tanks of anger, missiles of greed, swords of lust, and automatic weapons of pride, these “soldiers” come to attack your soul. These soldiers of sin seek to destroy us or render us useless and ineffective. A broken and wounded follower of Jesus is just as useless as one who has been wrecked.