Worldly Actions
Peter’s words are brilliant here.
To put them in today’s vernacular, I think it would go something like
this:
Don’t be shocked when people are dumbfounded that you don’t do the
same kind of behavior that they do in the world. Everyone seems to be licentious, lustful, lovers
of alcohol, sexually promiscuous with multiple partners, predetermined to party,
and lawless in their idolatry. So don’t
be shocked when they malign you for not being like them. But don’t join them. Live your life focused on Christ and on the
model that He set for you.
I love the honesty of Peter for two reasons. First of all, human behavior hasn’t changed
all that much, has it? Second, he tells
us we should expect different treatment.
We can either choose to be a part of the crowd or we can choose to be
like Jesus. Those two seldom if ever go
hand in hand. Welcome to the life of a
disciple of Jesus.
Oh yeah. Just in case you
forget. “The end is near.” So if you ever want to act like the world,
just picture yourself in that behavior when Christ returns. You don’t want that to be your last memory of
life, trust me. Instead, focus on love,
service, hospitality, stewardship, and the other gifts that God gives. Those make great memories for the moment
Christ should return!
Persecution
Once more Peter talks about persecution, showing just how likely
it was that this was a pretty big problem in the church. But Peter gives us some pretty good
advice. Would you rather suffer as a
Christian or a murderer or a thief?
After all, if you honestly look around at the lives of people who are
wrapped up in their sin – can you honestly say that they aren’t suffering? No.
Everyone is going to suffer in one way or another. Sorry for that … I guess that isn’t the most
positive thought for today. But it is
true. Everyone suffers. So if you are going to suffer, would you
rather suffer for the sake of Christ and godly behavior or because of ungodly
choices?
Overseers
Peter then turns to the spiritual leaders of the
congregation. He gives them sage
advice. He tells them to guide them, but
not through compulsion. You see, Peter
knows what happens when people are forced to follow certain rules whether they
understand them or not. In fact, he left
a faith that was being taught that way.
No, people make far better disciples when they are given good
mentoring and good leadership. People
make good disciples when they can grow into their faithfulness. People make good disciples when they are
allowed to make a few mistakes and have people there to support them along the
way. Disciples are made through growth,
not compulsion. After all, who in our
pride can force someone to obey? No, God
honors the humble. God honors those who
lead by humble example rather than proud domination.
Roaring Lion
I love 1 Peter 5:8. Your
adversary the Devil prowls like a roaring lion just looking for someone to
devour. The lion is proud. The lion devours people. The lion dominates over other animals. The lion is anything but the picture of
humbleness that we see in Christ. Why
would any of us want to be like the Devil – devouring people through our pride
and domination?
Final Greetings
Peter tells us that Silvanus is the letter-carrier of this
message. Silvanus is the Greek rendition
of the name Silas. It is quite likely
that the Silas who journeyed with Paul in Acts and who is mentioned throughout
Paul’s letters is the same one who is now here with Peter at the time of this
letter. Of course, it doesn’t have to
be. But it is certainly quite possible!
This distinction also helps us understand a little bit about the
writing of this letter. The Greek in
this letter is quite classical – something far beyond what we would expect for
a common Jewish fisherman called by Jesus in adulthood. Silas, however, was a Roman citizen. He would know the ins and outs of Greek as it
was the common tongue of the people among the Roman Empire.
Beyond the mention of Silvanus, what we see in the end of this
letter is a genuine love and appreciation for the people of faith. Peter cares about those to whom he has
written. He feels for their suffering
and is trying to love them through it.
This is a letter of support; it is also a letter of love. These are the godly bindings that tie us to
one another.
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