Vs. 4 – "to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,"
     What a scripture for us as believers to claim; the sure hope of a future inheritance. This same word is used in the Septuagint to refer to Israel's promised possession of the land.
Numbers 26:54 & 56 –
"To the larger group you shall increase their inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall diminish their inheritance; each shall be given their inheritance according to those who were numbered of them… According to the selection by lot, their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller groups."
Numbers 34:1-2 –
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the sons of Israel and say to them, `When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance,'"
Now, look at Joshua 11:23 –
"So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war."
     It was her possession, granted to her as a gift from God. Notice the wording here in 1 Peter 1:4;
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,"
     "imperishable", the opposite of perish; "undefiled", the opposite of defiled; "will not fade away", always there; "reserved in heaven", meaning waiting for you. This inheritance is as indestructible as God's Word. Every believer’s inheritance of eternal salvation is kept in heaven, or kept watch over by God so its ultimate possession is absolutely secure.
Galatians 5:5 –
"For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness."

Vs. 5 – "who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
     Kept by what? Think about this. The inheritance is not only guarded, but heirs who have been born into that inheritance are shielded by God's power. (Greek: doo' nam is miraculous power, usually by implication, a miracle in and of itself) ability, abundance, meaning might(_ily, _y, _y deed), worker of miracle(_s), power, strength)
     Paul uses the same Greek word in Philippians 4:7 –
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
     The word "guard", meaning to protect. What greater hope could be given to those undergoing persecution, than the knowledge that God's power guards them from within, to preserve them for an inheritance of salvation/eternal life?
     Believers possess salvation right now, (present tense) but this will be completely revealed to them in its full significance at the return of Christ in the last time; Or as we look for the rapture.

Vs. 6 – "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,"
     In this you greatly rejoice. Rejoice in what? Rejoice in the truths mentioned in vs. 3-5. If there is anything that we as believers should be excited about, it's this!!!!
     Let me say this. Knowledge alone cannot produce the great joy of experiential security and freedom from fear in the face of persecution. There is a human responsibility. Christians are responsible to respond in faith. It is a courtship. The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:4 –
"...and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith."
     Simple faith in God's Promises.

Vs. 7 – "that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
     Our trials are doing two things. First, they refine or purify our faith – as much as gold is refined by fire when its dross is removed. Secondly, trials prove the reality of our faith. Stress deepens and strengthens a Christian’s faith and lets its reality be displayed, both to them personally AND to those around him/her.
     Look at the word "proof", or as we see in James 1:3 – "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
     It is the purpose of approving, or showing genuine-ness, or to "test for the purpose of approving". James 1:12 says, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
     Notice in addition to comparing faith to gold, the Holy Spirit also employs the contrast: purified faith with purified gold. Faith is more precious, of greater worth, than gold. Even refined gold, though it lasts a long time, eventually perishes.
1 Peter 1:18 –
"knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold....."
James 5:3 –
"Your gold and your silver have rusted...;"
     It will be valueless in the marketplace of eternity, but faith results in an inheritance that can never perish.

Vs. 8 – "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,"      The climax of the joy that results from faith, the focus of a believer’s faith, is not abstract knowledge but instead, is on the person of Christ.
John 20:29 -
"Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

Vs. 9 – "obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
     We as believers can rejoice because we are receiving, (present Tense) what was promised, namely the salvation of our souls.

Vs. 10 – "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry,"
     God's word is the basis for our faith. The prophets from the Bible, yearned for the day that we are now living in and able to see approaching. Jesus told the religious leaders of His day…
John 5:39-40 -
"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."
     If they were listening or reading, they certainly were not understanding nor believing.

Vs. 11 – "seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow."
     There are many Old Testament Scriptures that point to Christ’s suffering and return. Two of them are Psalm, Chapter 22, Isaiah, Chapter 53, (neither are shown here because of their length), and Isaiah 50:6 -
"I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting."
Daniel 9:26 –
"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined."

Vs. 12 – "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things into which angels long to look."
     Did you get that? Angels learning from us?!!!
Ephesians 3:10 –
"in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."
     God gave this information to the prophets, they gave it to us, and we are SUPPOSED to be giving it to others. If you have not noticed here, we're being watched.

Vs. 13 – "Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
     Peter now gives us 5 specific exhortations in vs. 13-15.
13. "Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15. but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;"
1. "Gird your minds"; this suggests Exodus 12, when they were instructed to eat the Passover with their loins girded, and with shoes on their feet, ready to begin their journey when the signal was given.
Ephesians 6:4 talks about "…the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
     It's having your mind girded with truth.
     2. "keep sober" meaning alert and self-controlled;
     3. "fix your hope" (set your mind and hope; put your focus on) the end, looking for the grace;
     4. (v.14) "do not be conformed to"; not fashioning yourselves; do not conform to your former lusts.
     5. (v.15) "be holy" (More to follow about verses 14 & 15)
     Here's a question for you! How close do you think the Lord is? Is that thought purifying your lives and rearranging your priorities?
     Look at verse 13 again:
     1. "Prepare your minds for action"; Obedience is a conscious act of the will. A Christian in conflict needs a tough-minded holiness that is ready for action.
     2. "Be sober, self controlled"; used only figuratively in the New Testament; meaning 'to be free from every form of mental and spiritual "drunkenness" or excess'. Rather than being controlled by outside circumstances, believers should be directed from within.
     3. "Set your hope"; this demands determination. Saved by grace, kept by grace, grow by grace.
Vs. 14 – "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,"
     Obedient children, the strenuous, mental preparation suggested by the three admonitions in vs. 13; "gird your minds", "be sober", and "fix your hope", are needed so that Christians will "not be conformed to the former lusts", which are the evil desires of the past, meaning whatever is contrary to Scripture. Instead, now that you are saved and a child of God, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 –
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Vs. 15 – "but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;"
     This verse is saying as God is holy, as He called you, as His sons and daughters, now you be holy in all your behavior. Don't remain in ignorance as we were in the old days, but rather, be like the nature of the Father. God is light, so we are to be light. He is Holy and so, we are to be holy.

Vs. 16 – "because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
     This is first mentioned in the Book of Leviticus 11:45 – `For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; thus you shall be holy for I am holy."
     Then again in Leviticus 19:2 – "Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, `You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.'"
     Look at Leviticus 20:7 – `You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.
     1 Peter 1:15-16 does not speak of legal requirements but is a reminder of a Christian's responsibility in his inner life and outer walk. Absolute holiness can never be achieved in this life, but we are told to press on to God's perfect and holy will.

Vs. 17 – "And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;" Are we "sojourning" or are we "earth dwellers"? We are to live according to His standards as "aliens" in the worlds shifting, situational ethics. 1 Peter 2:11 – "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul." If you and I really feared the Lord, as we should, it would be evidenced by a tender conscience, a watchfulness against temptation, and an intentional avoiding of things that would displease God.

Vs. 18 – "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,"
     This redemption is just not from the penalty of hell, but also from the market place of sin. Remember vs.14; "former lusts"? This world is in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 – "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."
     If you're in Christ, meaning you're saved, then act like it. Live like it. Sound like it. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
     We live in a world that is trying to conform you to it’s thinking. 1 Peter 2:11 – "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul."
Again, I repeat, we're strangers to these parts. Remember that old saying, "Howdy stranger! Haven’t seen you in these parts before." Why are so many Christians being found in 'these parts' now? They're in taverns and gambling halls, and places where lewd dress is common. They're involved in pagan traditions and practices. They're sending their kids to atheistic schools to be indoctrinated with godless and immoral lifestyles. They're marrying unbelievers.
     We are to be aliens to these places and practices, not regular attendants. If you don’t want to look like a devil and act like a devil and sound like a devil, then stay out of the devil's arena. The Church is asleep on its watch. The world is going to hell in a hand basket, and most believers could care less. They would rather live for today doing what "they" want to do.

Vs. 19 – "but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
     Passover requirements: similar to the sacrificial lambs which were to be without defect. Christ was sinless, uniquely qualified as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". (John 1:29) Hebrews 9:14 – "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Vs. 20 – "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you"
     When was He ordained? No afterthought here. All was foreseen and prepared beforehand.

Vs. 21 – "who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
     Notice it says through Him are believers in God. The Father who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God: "God Jesus". Do you see the deity here?

Vs. 22 – "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,"
     A positive result of obeying the truth is a purified life. Remember back in verse 2? "…that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood." That’s for salvation. But then there’s obeying the rest of the Word for growth and cleaning up one’s life.
Psalm 119:9 – "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word."
     As trials refine faith, so obedience to God's Word refines character. One who has purified himself by living according to God’s Word has discovered the joy of obedience. A changed life should also be evidenced by a changed relationship with God’s other children. A purified life allows one to love purely those who share the same faith. All evil thoughts and feelings regarding ones brothers and sisters in Christ must be removed. This kind of loving "agapao" can only come from a changed heart. Fervent love seeks to give more than it takes.

Vs. 23 – "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God."
     Peter reminds his readers, from verse 3, that they had already experienced the new birth (salvation). This supernatural event made it possible for them to obey the truth, purify themselves, and love the brethren.

Vs. 24-25 – "For, All flesh is like grass, But the word of the Lord abides forever." And this is the word which was preached to you."
     Peter is telling us that all that is born of perishable seed withers and falls, but the word of God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:6-8 – "A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
     Applying God’s word to our lives is life changing and renewing.
So! How are you doing?

CHAPTER 2

     Peter's two letters were based upon two great unforgettable events in his life. The first is linked to Jesus' confession at Casarea, Philippi.
Matthew 16:15-16 – "He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
     The second was with the Transfiguration in Matthew, Chapter 17:1-9. Peter now tells them that they must start to deal with their negative attitudes, being mature in their faith and knowledge, through the Word.

Vs. 1 – "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,"
     Therefore, because of what we have learned from the 1^st Chapter, Peter is calling for a change of mind here on four sinful attitudes. These sins will drive wedges between believers.
     Peter uses the words "put aside". It has the idea of 'taking off a garment and laying it aside' or 'removing it from yourself'. Paul says, in Ephesians 4:22 –
"that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,"
Colossians 3:9 –
"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,"
     'Malice' is wicked ill will, the desire to inflict pain, harm, or injury on our fellow man. I want us to notice the word ALL. No exceptions.
     'Guile', or 'deceit'; is deliberate dishonesty, falsehood, craft, seduction. Deceit and hypocrisy are twins: by deceit a person is wronged; and by hypocrisy he is deceived.
     'Hypocrisy'; pretended piety, and love, pretending to be what one is not. It is a man with a double heart and a lying tongue. As Jesus quoted Isaiah to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:7-8 – "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, `This people honors Me with their lips, `But in vain do they worship Me,"
     Look at Isaiah 29:13 – "Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me..."
     "Envy" is resentful discontent.
     "Slander" is speaking evil, backbiting, or lies.
     None of these sins should have any place in those who are born again. Remember a "sincere love of the brethren" from 1 Peter 1:22? Peter said to "fervently love one another from the heart" as believers are to make decisive breaks with the past life and its sins. If I were to ask you, 'What is the most hurtful sin that has caused more pain than any other', what would you say?

     Gossip is, in its strictest form, a violation of Exodus 20:16 – "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
     However, in its most subtle forms, gossip is probably accountable for more personal pain and suffering than most of us have any appreciation of. Gossip is a form of betrayal. It is disturbing to note how many of us have been injured, deeply, by gossip. Sadly, as is most always the case, by those who accept negative or derogatory innuendoes whispered behind our backs, without even checking first. Peter is saying to put this aside, all of it, NOW.

Vs. 2 – "like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,"
      Peter is telling us to be as eager for the nourishment of the Word as babies are for milk. As newborn babies, their life depends on the next feeding! The only way one is able to cast away impure motives and desires taught in Vs. 1 is to do Vs. 2. We need to feed on the Word that produces growth. We as Christians should approach the Word with a clean heart and mind, in eager anticipation and with a desire to grow spiritually.

Vs. 3 – "if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord."
     Compare the phrase "if you have tasted" with Psalm 34:8 – "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"
     The word "tasted" means having experienced salvation. It’s the same word used of Christ in having tasted death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:9 –
"But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."
     Another verse that says the same thing is in Matthew 16:28 –
"Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Vs. 4 – "And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God,"
     However theologians may wrangle about the meaning of the Lord's words in Matthew 16, but Peter himself understood them. The ROCK is Christ Himself, the living stone. Every believer is a living stone as well, as you can see in the following verse.

Vs. 5 – "you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
     Believers, identified with Christ because He is the "Living Stone", are like living stones. As we become more like Him, further conformed to His image, we are being built into a spiritual house. As you will see a little later on, it says all believers are priests in 1 Peter 2:9 –
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,…"
Revelation 1:6 –
"and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
     We don’t need another mediator other than Jesus Christ to get to God directly. In this verse, it says to "offer up spiritual sacrifices", meaning holy living that is pleasing to God, doing good to others and obedience to the Word.

Vs. 6 – "For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."
     In verses 6-8, Peter quotes 3 Old Testament references:
Isaiah 28:16 – "Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed."
Psalm 118:22 – "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone."
Isaiah 28:16 - "Then He shall become a sanctuary; a rock to stumble over, A corner stone points to the visible support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability."
     I love the last part of verse 6; "And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed". What a neat promise!!

Vs. 7 – "This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected,"
     Jesus Christ is a precious value to believers, but to the unsaved, …

Vs. 8 – "and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
     He is a stumbling block and an offense. Why is it that they "stumble"? For they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
     There are those who use this verse to "prove" that God has chosen only certain people to go to heaven. This is absolutely false. Peter is saying they refused to believe on Him (Jesus Christ) for their salvation. God wants every person everywhere, to change their mind and believe the good news of the gospel. Most won’t. It simply means that God knew beforehand the choices they would make!!

Vs. 9 – "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"
     Peter reminds us here that in contrast with the disobedient who are destined for destruction, believers are chosen people. Peter again echoed the Old Testament in Isaiah 43:20 –
"The beasts of the field will glorify Me; The jackals and the ostriches;
Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert,
To give drink to My chosen people."
     "Chosen people", which once was used to apply only to Israel, was now used in the New Testament to refer to both Jewish and Gentile believers.
     Look at the word "darkness" at the end of vs. 9. It refers to a time when Peter's readers were pagans, ignorant to the Scriptures, as previously stated in 1 Peter 1:14.
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,"

Vs. 10 – "for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
     Here he reminds them that at one time they were not a "people". In the past, they were "unsaved", but now, through their belief, they were God’s people. Now they were shown mercy, and received mercy. God wants to show mercy to all creation. He wants all men to be saved…
1 Timothy 2:4 –
"who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
     …but man’s problem is still the same; "unbelief".

     In this next section, we're going to see that as believers, "aliens and strangers", we need to behave differently than the world. If we're the light, and we are, then we are to be different from the darkness. Light and dark cannot exist together.

Vs. 11 – "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul."
     In this world we know that the world rejects our values and beliefs, and that we are to live apart from the immorality and sinful desires that surround us. We are not to be a part of it; IN the world but not OF the world. The word "abstain" literally means 'to hold oneself constantly back from'. Christians are to resist (strong word here which means to fight) the sinful pull of those worldly desires which wage war against them.
James 4:1 –
"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?"
1 Peter 4:2-3 –
"so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries."
     In this world, Satan’s strategy is to attack believers at there weakest points. That is why the Armor of God is so important to us.
Ephesians 6:10-18 –
"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"
     No Armor on? You’re a dead man.
1 Peter 5:8 –
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Vs. 12 –
"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation."
     We, as believers, are to keep our behavior proper for our own well being as well as a testimony to the unsaved. A godly walk is a power tool of convicting the world of sin.
Matthew 5:16 –
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
     There is a saying we often here; "Don’t talk the talk if you don’t walk the walk". People can spot a two-faced person a mile away. Worst yet, they will never listen to what you have to say even if what you say is true. Actions speak louder than words.

Vs. 13 – "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,"
     We as believers are responsible to obey the law.
Romans 13:1-5 –
"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake."
Titus 3:1-2 -
"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious gentle, showing every consideration for all men."
     If man's law does not comply with Scripture, then we are to obey God rather than man, but if the law does not conflict with God, then we are to willing submit to man and obedience to man’s law.
     Laws are given to maintain order in society. Sometimes man's laws are just that, "man's laws". If you disobey them, like speeding, hunting after hours, jay walking, illegal parking, running a stop sign, laws that are not God's laws but man's law, then you will have to answer to man for these violations. It may be getting a ticket, a fine, or loss of privileges. Maybe even some jail time if you have been drinking and are caught for a traffic violation. Remember, its not a sin to have a drink, but man say’s no drinking and driving.

Vs. 14 – "or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right."
     Also, it says to submit to those that were under the authority of the king, such as governors sent by the king, to represent his authority. There is no need to fear authority in America if one does right. The punishment is for those who do evil, and praise for those who do right.

Vs. 15 – "For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
     If the Lord allows you to go through a trial due to your choosing to do right, it's His will. Compare 1 Peter 3:16-17 –
"and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."

Vs. 16 – "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."
     Submission to lawful authority does not negate Christian liberty.
Galatians 5:1 –
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
     Civil laws should be obeyed freely, not out of fear, but because doing so is God's will. Christian freedom is always conditioned by Christian responsibility, Galatians 5:13 –
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
     Christians enjoy true freedom, when they obey God and live as servants of God.

Vs. 17 – "Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
     There are four points to see here:
1. Respect all men. We as believers need to remember that each human has been uniquely created in God's image.
2. Love the brotherhood. God's people should love one another. Jesus said that. John 13:34 & 35 –
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
3. Fear God. (Greek "phobos") Fear leads to obedience and knowing the consequences brings the fear of the Lord into mind. One will never truly respect people until he fears God.
4. Honor the king. Why? Because God has placed him in authority.
Daniel 5:21 –
"the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes."
     This is mentioned 4 times in Daniel.
Romans 13:1 –
"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." <>brTitus 3:1-2 –
"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men."
     All men means those in authority as well.

Vs. 18 – "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable."
     First of all, before we look at this text, let's remember that God never intended for man to be a slave. There are many Scriptures that tell us that we are to honor all men and treat them equally. Again, in the previous verse, "honor all men,".
Matthew 7:12 –
"Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them,…" Romans 12:10 –
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;"
Philippians 2:4 –
"do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
     The early church was made up of a high percentage of slaves and servants and undeserved punishment and suffering were common for the underlings. To be sure, there were some good and considerate masters. Peter challenged Christian slaves to submit to and respect even those who were harsh. As hard as it is to do, we are to do the same even with our own employers today.

Vs. 19 – "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly."
     Peter set forth a principle here that should be applied to any situation where unjust suffering occurs.

Vs. 20 – "For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God."
     It is respectful submission to undeserved suffering that finds favor with God because such behavior demonstrates His grace.

Vs. 21 – "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,"
     Christ suffered unjustly for you and I, and He was our example that we are to follow. (Referring to suffering for doing good)

Vs. 22 – "who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;"
     Peter quoted from Isaiah 53:9 –
"Because He had done no violence, or was there any deceit in His mouth."
     Jesus committed no sin, neither before nor during His suffering.
2 Corinthians 5:21 –
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf"
Hebrews 4:15 –
"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."
1 John 1:5 –
"And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."
     He was completely innocent in both word and deed and no deceit was found in His mouth.

Vs. 23 – "and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;"
     Jesus was the perfect example of patient submission to unjust suffering.
Romans 12:19-20 –
"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
     Humanly speaking, the provocation to retaliate during Christ’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion was extreme. Yet He suffered in silence, committing Himself to God.
Isaiah 53:7 –
"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth."
     God in His own time will vindicate Jesus and us.

Vs. 24 – "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."
     Peter explains why the One who could have destroyed His enemies with a word, patiently endured the pain and humiliation of the cross.
He had to. He was in our shoes. God was justly judging our sins which His son bore for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 –
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
     Notice it says, "by His wounds we are healed." This does not mean physical healing because the verb’s past tense indicates complete action. The healing is an accomplished fact. The reference is to salvation.

Vs. 25 – "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."
     Notice here that Peter says we are continually straying like sheep, before salvation…
Ephesians 2:3-4 –
"Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)."
…and AFTER salvation, everyday, and He gives grace to bring us back. The cross not only provided salvation, but also continued grace to come back if we return. "Repentance" is an act of our wills. As James 4: 8 says,
     "if we draw near to God He will draw near to us."

CHAPTER 3

     This chapter remarkably fits our own time. How does the believer live in a hostile, pagan world? This chapter highlights some prophetic aspects of "the days of Noah" and it starts with the primary spiritual fortification: The Marriage.

Vs. 1 – "In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,"
     "In the same way"; What way? If you keep this verse in context, as stated previously 1 Peter 2:18, (in regards to servants), Paul also mentions this same instruction to the believers in Colossae in Colossians 3:22-24 –
"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
     Now he addresses wives. "In the same way ... be submissive". It’s the same Greek word and it means the same thing. The Greek word is 'hupotasso' and it means to "rank under".
(Text: primarily a military term, "to rank under" (hupo, "under," tasso, "to arrange"), denotes (a) "to put in subjection, to subject," to subject oneself, to obey, be subject to.)
     Peter says even if the husband is disobedient to the Word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. This is hard! In our flesh, wives want to say to their husbands, "get the lead out", "don’t be so lazy", "how about some help", "I am sick and tired of picking up after you", "why can’t you be more sensitive", etc, etc, etc. Notice what 1 Peter 2:18 says? To make a point for just a moment, let's change a word in this verse. Easy now. I just want to make a point here. Use the word 'wives' instead of 'servants'. Look at this for just a second. Remember what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:1? "In the same way" wives, be submissive to your husbands with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
     Do you see what Peter is trying to tell us here? If the husband is an unbeliever, the wife is to obey him, unless he tells her to sin against God. Then you have to take a stand, but with respectful words and behavior. It's easy to say, but hard to do. There are few experiences more difficult than to be united in marriage to an unbeliever. That is why God says,
2 Corinthians 6:14 –
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers…"
     Christians have no business mission dating. If you allow it as parents, you're in great compromise. You are violating a Biblical principle, which is violating a Biblical command: "Do not."
     I believe 1 Peter 3:1 is talking about unbelieving husbands. If he is a believer, then there are Biblical principles to follow.
Matthew 18:15-17 –
"And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax gatherer."
     In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul tells us as believers to;
"preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
     All too often we are willing to quit and give up even though the Bible says that God deals with all of us with incredible patience and mercy. It takes great effort through much prayer to deal with sin and people in sin. Most people don’t have the willingness to stand by someone who is in sin, and pray for and deal with them. Most sin habits come over time and it takes time to overcome them as well.
     Don’t misunderstand me here. Sin must be dealt with, but we all too often wash our hands of it and say 'to heck with them'. What if God would say that about us?

Vs. 2 – "as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior."
     The powerful purity of a godly woman’s life can soften even the stoniest male heart without a word.
Titus 2:5 –
"to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."

Vs. 3 – "And let not your adornment be merely external braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;"
     Peter encourages the wives in regard to there adornment. (The Greek word is 'cosmos' meaning 'world, order, universe, world inhabitants, mankind') It's where the word cosmetics comes from. Let your beauty come from within, not just a cosmetic look.
     Peter is not saying woman cannot braid there hair or put on dresses or wear jewelry. He is instructing them to let their beauty be that of a quality that will not perish.

Vs. 4 – "but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
     Paul says to let it be the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. We age. We get fat. Our bodies change and break down. The cosmetic look is the out side appearance is not as important in the eyes of the Lord as is the inner qualities "of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
     Paul tells the older woman about holy behavior in Titus 2:3-5.
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.
     Scripture never condemns using makeup, but rather discourages dependence upon this to make one pleasing and attractive. A woman may be pretty or even beautiful, but if she is loud and nagging, or has a bad temper, she will only repel. Peter teaches that women should not think that outward appearance or attire is the source of genuine beauty.
     Today in our world, looking good and dressing up, or having great bodies is like a drug addiction. However, in the eyes of a holy God, it’s a gentle, quiet, and submissive spirit, that is precious in His sight. Paul instructed Timothy as well about this in 2:9-11.
"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness. Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness."
     It’s inner qualities that make one truly beautiful. Now, hang on ladies. We deal with the husbands in vs. 7.

Vs. 5 – "For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands."
     Notice it says in former times, meaning this is not something new, nor is it just starting within the church. It was from the beginning, holy women who hoped in God, were submissive to their own husbands. Not men in general, just to their own husbands.

Vs. 6 – "Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear."
1 John 4:18 tells us,
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."
     If you do what is right there is no need for fear.
Ephesians 5:22-24 -
"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything."
     If you do what is right there is no need for fear.
Ephesians 5:22-24 -
"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything."
     In today's society, this is not a popular passage, but it is God's way, therefore it is right.

Vs. 7 – "You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."
     God designed females to be weaker physically and emotionally, but certainly not intellectually, and yet they are also joint heirs to Gods gift of life. He made them as a 'helpmate' to their husbands to compliment the their own gifts. Therefore, husbands are to grant their wives honor because they are heirs of Gods gift of love as well.
     Women are just as valued in the eyes of God as a man. They have different qualities from men because they have different roles than men, but they are equal in God's grace. We, as husbands, have a warning from God to honor our wives so that our prayers to God will not be withheld on account of our behavior towards them. Quarreling and bickering in the home stifle all fellowship in prayer from the husband.
Ephesians 5:25 –
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;"
Ephesians 5:28 –
"So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;"

Vs. 8 – "To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;"
     Notice here that Peter anticipates and wants to head off the wrong responses that people have towards each other; "To sum up". He then gives 5 qualities to work at.
1. Harmonious (like minded)
2. Sympathetic (compassionate feeling towards others)
3. Brotherly (to love as brothers)
4. Kindhearted (to be compassionate and tender hearted)
5. Humble in spirit (an attitude of meekness, mild, not arrogant)

Vs. 9 – "not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
     There's no room for revenge here.
Romans 12:19 –
"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."
     Jesus also taught to refrain from retaliation.
Matthew 5:39 –
"But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also."
     Paul said when we are cursed, we should bless.
1 Corinthians 4:12-13 -
"and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate..."
     Notice Peter now quotes a segment of Psalm 34:12-16 but stops deliberately mid sentence of a very provocative reason.

Vs. 10-12 – "For, Let him who means to love life and see good days speaking guile. And let him turn away from evil and do good; For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,"
     It's really pretty simple. If you love life and want to see good days, guard your mouth. Don’t lie and speak evil. Turn away from it. Paul says turn from ALL forms of evil. Seek peace. Go after it. The Lord is watching you and I and is listening to the prayers of the obedient, but His face is against those who don't obey verse 9.
     We don’t want the Lord against us. "Ya think?"

Vs. 13 – "And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?"
     No matter how evil men seek to injure believers, there can be no evil to befall the righteous that is not "Father filtered".
Romans 8:28 –
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Also Romans 8:31-39 –
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     This includes persecution, sickness, financial distress, all of which God uses to sanctify for good.

Vs. 14 – "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,"
     Can you imagine the amount of faith in God it takes to not be afraid in a time of evil. How many times in our lives are we intimidated or fearful of people, and yet Peter says not to be troubled. Remember Peter in his own life?
Matthew 26:69-74 –
"Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a certain servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly."'
     How is it possible not to be fearful? Our hearts must be separated unto Him. Trust in His word.

Vs. 15 – "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"
     Be ready to give an account "for" the hope that is within you. What you believe, what you seriously believe, gives you confidence. Notice it says to be ready; "the mandate 'to be equipped' in apologetics" or in defense of the faith. Know the truth! Remember, you only know what you can verbalize.

Vs. 16 – "and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
     The best defense against slander (and a witness), is to be innocent.
Peter may have been alluding to the occasion when he denied Christ out of fear, in words that were neither gentle (he was angry), nor respectful (he used foul language). Then, to top it off, he lied, "I don’t know Him".

Vs. 17 – "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
     Because all things are indeed Father filtered, it is also interesting to realize that it is our 'justified' hurts that are the most dangerous in developing into that "root of bitterness" that can so easily defile us.
Hebrews 12:15 –
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;"
     We must be careful. Also, remember the cross: Jesus the just, dying for you and I, the unjust, as we see in the next verse 18.

Vs. 18 – "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;"
     After Jesus’ body and Spirit were separated in death, He was raised again by the Spirit.
Romans 8:11 –
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you."

Vs. 19 – " in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,"
     This has been taught as a controversial text, but I believe if we let the words given here, key words I mean, speak for themselves, we will get a clear understanding. Jesus went where? "to the spirits now in prison". What prison? Lower Sheol. Why? To make "proclamation". To whom?
Continue to read to get the rest of the answers.

Vs. 20 – "who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water."
     To the spirits, "who were once disobedient". God saw the wickedness of the world and before He destroyed it, He gave the world 120 years to repent. During that entire time, Noah preached to them of the coming judgment, but to no avail. The world was completely wicked and had rebelled against the message of God during the years the Ark was being built; 120 years to be exact. Can you imagine having this strange structure in your driveway for all that time?
     God declared He would not tolerate people's wickedness forever, but in longsuffering, He extended the life of the world 120 more years.
     Compare this to 2 Peter 3:9 –
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
     Noah did not fear men but instead, obeyed God and proclaimed God's message. Noah and his family were brought safely through the water. Remember, the water was the judgment. It was the ark that saved them, NOT the water.
     Jesus said in Matthew 24:37-39 -
"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be."
     It is interesting that even Enoch was preaching the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 14&15 -
"And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
     When his message was finished, Enoch became the first astronaut when he was translated; raptured.
     If you remember, it says Enoch walked with God in Genesis 5:22.
"Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters."
     It was not easy in those days. Widespread wickedness was reaching its peak. "It was not at all politically correct". His was not a casual stroll.
('Walking' means progress as well as communion with God.)

Vs. 21 – "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,"
     Baptism represents a complete break with one's past life. As the Flood wiped away the old sinful world, so baptism pictures ones break from his old sinful life and his entrance into life in Christ. Baptism is a symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior.
Acts 10:47 makes it clear.
"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"

Vs. 22 – "who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
     Jesus is at the right of the Father, the seat of Supreme honor, to rule and reign over all creation. Amen.

CHAPTER 4

Vs. 1 – "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,"
     "Arm yourselves" as in Ephesians 6:10-18 – "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"
Hebrews 12:3-4 –
"For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;"
     Peter says to have the same purpose or "same mind" Who’s mind? The mind of Christ. The mind here is not the brain. It is an entire process from thinking through resolution in action. Not just thinking right, but also doing right.
     Ceased from sin in this verse is in the past perfect tense and means "has been released from". God is the implied agent. The ruling power of sin has been broken. While unable to live a perfect life, the believer is free from the dominance of sin.

Vs. 2 – "so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."
     With Christ as our example of patience in suffering, how can we, who owe everything to Him, do anything less than arm ourselves with the same mind and so demonstrate that we are His by faith?

Vs. 3 – "For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries."
     There is a definite break with the past that is required.
Galatians 5:19-21 –
"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these."
     We are to break away from the past. Sufficient is and was the time we have practiced these sins of the flesh. Paul is saying that we have spent enough time doing what we used to do and we are now to break the pattern.
Galatians 5:22-23 –
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
     Here you have the opposite listed. We have all wasted enough time on wrong living. The sad thing is, we can’t get that time back. It's gone forever!! The idea here, to arm yourself, is to totally refocus and change your life. Start doing right!!

Vs. 4 – "And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you;"
     According to societies thinking, a Biblical Christian is more than "politically incorrect". The world hates believers. The Bible says they malign you, speak evil towards, or blaspheme you.

Vs. 5 – "but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
     We all have an appointment to give an account.
Matthew 12:36 tells us,
"And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment."
Luke 16:2 says,
"And he called him and said to him, `What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship for you can no longer be steward.'"
Hebrews 13:17 –
"Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account."
     Are you ready for the final exam?

Vs. 6 – "For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God."
     Peter is saying we are to live so as to give an account, not to men, but to Him who is to judge the living and the dead when He returns in power.

Vs. 7 – "The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer."
     Think about this verse. Here is a case where "the end justifies the means"! We are, indeed, to keep our "end" in view, and not to live for the passing moment, but as one who anticipates the end of all things. After all, it is indeed at hand.

Vs. 8 – "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."
     This is amplified in 1 Corinthians 13 known as the "love chapter". We're not to be indifferent to sin. We are to help those who are overtaken with a fault.
Galatians 6:1 –
"Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted."
James addressed the same thing in 5:19-20.
"My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." Peter is saying that we are to cling to one another in love rather than being committed to exposure and censure of others.

Vs. 9 – "Be hospitable to one another without complaint."
     Stop grumbling. It says to be caring. The word 'hospital' comes from the word 'hospitable' and is where people are cared for. The thought here takes us from a building to the market place and then to the fellowship. Caring, not killing. Healing, not shooting our wounded.

Vs. 10 – "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
     If you are saved, you have a gift. Employ it to serve one another. Be less busy inspecting and more busy serving. Many Christians have nose problems and it blocks their ability to see where to serve.

Vs. 11 – "Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
     Failure to exercise your spiritual gift defrauds all of us in the body.

Vs. 12 – "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;"
     This fiery ordeal may have been reference to the fulfillment of the Lord's prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem.
Luke 19:43-44 –
"For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
Luke 21:20-24 –
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst of the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people, and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
     This is the Tribulation Period. Still for the Jew, it is a fiery ordeal. Nero slaughtered tens of thousands of Jewish Christians and this Roman ordeal lasted almost 300 years, only to be followed by Papal persecutions that lasted almost 1500 years.

Vs. 13 – "but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation."
     The believer suffers "in fellowship with His Lord". Remember the words of Paul to a young Pastor in 2 Timothy 3:12,
"And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"
     We are to expect this, don’t you think? Jesus tells us in John 15:18-21;
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. "Remember the word that I said to you, `A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me."
     We cannot be partakers of His atoning sufferings. They stand alone. No one but Jesus Christ could endure the penalty of our sins and so make propitiation so that we could be forgiven. We share His sufferings for righteousness sake.

Vs. 14 – "If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
     No one can be true to Christ and be loved by the world and its system at the same time. Not if we are obeying Him. We cannot expect the approval of those who reject and misunderstand our Savior.

Vs. 15 – "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;"
     As a believer, don’t fall prey to these sins and the ill-will of the wicked. There is no room for retaliation or infraction in the Christian witness.

Vs. 16 – "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;"
     The word 'Christian' is not often found in the New Testament, but it is the distinctive title of those who belong to Christ. The word was first used in Antioch.
Acts 11:26 –
".... and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
Also see Acts 26:28 –
"And Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."
     Don’t be ashamed!!
Romans 1:16 –
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Vs. 17 – "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
2 Timothy 1:12 –
"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."
     The writer in Hebrews 12:7 also supports Peter.
"Endure hardship as discipline; God deals with you as with sons,"

Vs. 18 – "And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?"
     Peter is talking about the trials and tests that believers face in their daily walk. We have the Lord to get us through each day with new mercy and compassion. The wicked have nothing.

Vs. 19 – "Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."
     Pay attention here. This is not talking about every little thing that doesn't go our own way. It says, "according to the will of God". If we're obeying our God, He will test us and give us trials to go through, but it's always within His will and for our own good. It's always designed to make us better able to serve Him.
     Remember; we're just passing through. We are aliens in a foreign land. We're not called to a monastery type life, but to go forth in the very world we have been delivered from; being IN it, but not OF it.

CHAPTER 5

Vs. 1 – "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,"
     Notice it says Elders. The Greek word here is "presbyterous". There in no way suggests any type of clergy order of ruling over laity here. Peter declares himself a co-presbyter with them. He calls himself a "fellow elder".

Vs. 2 – "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;"
     Here he says, "shepherd the flock", not 'fleece' the flock of God. This command was also given by Jesus when Peter was reinstated in John 21:16. "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
     Another Greek word used of Elders is overseers, or "episkopountes", meaning 'watching over those for whom you have to give an account'.
Hebrews 13:17 –
"Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account."
     Leaders is the noun "overseer". Also Peter says a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed. Who knows what that will entail?

Vs. 3 – "nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."
     John 13:5&15 shows the example that Christ displayed when washing the feet of the disciples. "Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."…"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."
     Unfortunately, much of Pastoring today is financially lucrative and lots of Pastors are making big bucks. How sad when we compare this example of Christ.

Vs. 4 – "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
     Receive a "crown of glory"? Interesting! What does your report card look like?

Vs. 5 – "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
     Pride is the barrier to all spiritual growth, and progress. We are to be each other's 'fiduciary', meaning 'pertaining to or acting as a trustee'.
Ephesians 6:5-6 –
"…in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."

Vs. 6 – "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,"
     This one is a hard one to do. Peter is saying we need to have unquestioning submission to His will. I have a long way to go, to my shame. With good will render service as to the Lord, and not to men.

Vs. 7 – "casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."
     Go to Matthew 6:25-32 -
"For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `With what shall we clothe ourselves?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
Psalm 55:22 – "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
     Peter is saying not to hand over our burdens politely; but cast them, throw them, before the thrown! God's heart is ever towards us. He is more concerned for us than we are, and more informed as well. How many of the hairs of your head are numbered? You might say, "I don’t know". Well, He does!!!!!