Tag Archives: the book of 1 Peter

December 11
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“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”  (1 Peter 2:23, NIV)

To be Christian is to be like Christ.

Peter provides two clear, practical, snapshots of what it means to be like Christ: Ignoring insults from the “haters”;  and making no threat against the agents of suffering and pain.

According to the scriptures, in his early years as a disciple of Jesus, Peter quickly quickly responded to every insult and engaged every opponent.  Through faithful discipleship, Peter was not the person “now” that he was in those early years.

To grow in maturity as a Christian means to become more and more like Jesus.  A measure of our maturity is the degree to which we are willing to entrust ourselves “to him who judges justly.”  – Luther

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December 10
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“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

As a disciple of Jesus, do you think of yourself as chosen?  Do you see yourself as a member of a royal priesthood; an intercessor between man and God?  Do you consider yourself a citizen of a holy nation?  To whom do you belong; are you God’s special possession?

When I was in university, it was not uncommon to encounter students who — outwardly — looked like the stereotypical poor college student but were, in fact, heirs of family fortunes.  It didn’t seem to matter to them whether they dressed-up or dressed-down, because it didn’t change the fact of who they were, or the fact of their temporal destiny.

Peter’s words remind us of how God sees everyone — repeat — everyone who claims His name.  Don’t sell yourself short, and remain mindful of the great gift God has given you.  – Luther

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December 9
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“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  (1 Peter 2:20b-21, NIV)

To “follow in his steps” means going wherever He may go, even into the crucible of personal suffering for doing good.

Because He has left us “an example,” it means doing as He has done: Enduring suffering for God’s glory.

To imitate Jesus is our calling!  It may be the only glimpse of Christ at work through suffering that some of your neighbors, co-workers, family members, and friends see today.  – Luther

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