Read 1 TIMOTHY 6:17–19

A rich young man once asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” In the conversation that followed, it became obvious that the man valued his great wealth more than he valued God or eternal life. Jesus observed: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! . . . It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:17–25).

Worry, anxiety, and contentment are closely related to our attitude toward money. It must not become an idol in our hearts. Our hope should be in God alone (v. 17). We are to value Him above all else! This is true whether we are rich or poor, yet being rich presents a particularly strong temptation.

Money is a means to power and comfort. Because it can seem to get us what we want, wealth tempts us to put our faith and hope in it. But that would be foolish, not least because money is temporal and uncertain. We should instead trust in God, who “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (v. 17; see Acts 14:17).

The rich can resist temptation by doing good deeds, especially ones involving generosity and sharing (v. 18). If money is seen as a resource to be used for the kingdom of heaven, such actions will follow naturally for those who love God. In fact, they’ve been prepared in advance by God (Eph. 2:10). Instead of laying up treasure on earth, they will lay up treasure in heaven and show that their hearts are truly set on the things of God (v. 19; Matt. 6:19–21). Then, instead of dying and leaving behind all they’ve acquired, they will be well prepared for heaven and ready and eager to enjoy eternal life with Christ.

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Review your budget and spending: what are your priorities? How do you “lay up treasure in heaven” in the way that you use your finances? Review your attitudes toward money: where are your anxieties? Do you place too much trust in your income or savings and refuse to share? Do you constantly pine for more rather than practice contentment?

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Read ECCLESIASTES 2:17–26

An article in New York magazine reports: “Ever since the 1930s, young people in America have reported feeling increasingly anxious and depressed.” Symptoms include trouble remembering or concentrating, not sleeping well, and dizzy spells or headaches. One researcher believes a main cause is the isolation of modern life; that is, we have less meaningful work and family relationships than people did in the past.

In all eras of human history, as Ecclesi- astes observes, work is meaningless anxiety apart from God. Since one must work to live, work and life are seen as equivalent in today’s reading. “Under the sun,” they are both “chasing after the wind” (v. 17)—or as we might say, as pointless as a dog chasing its own tail.

The fundamental reason is that you can’t take it with you (vv. 18–19). Whatever one gathers or achieves through work must be left to the next generation—who might or might not deserve it, and who might use it wisely or squander it (see Ps. 39:6; Eccl. 4:8; Luke 12:13–21). In either case, it’s beyond the control of the one who did the work. Skill and effort seem to be emptied of their meaning. This leads to a feeling of despair; labor seems meaningless and futile.

“Under the sun,” work has no real purpose (vv. 20–23). It’s all “anxious striving,” grief, random chance, and restless nights. But there is another perspective, one “above the sun” (vv. 24–26). If we understand that our work comes from the hand of God, we understand that any satisfaction or lasting value from it is also in His hands. The full perspective on this emerges or unfolds in the rest of Ecclesiastes. For today, we highlight the important truth that faith instead of worry treats all things as coming from and held within the hand of God.

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Solomon’s observations about work aren’t surprising in light of Genesis 3:17–19. There we learn that the Fall and sin marred what God meant work to be. If you have some extra time, read Genesis 1 and 2 with this issue in mind. What did God intend for “work” to be in Eden? How might it be redeemed for us as followers of Christ?

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Read PHILIPPIANS 2:25–30

The Greek verb for “worry,” merimnaó, can have either a negative or a positive meaning. The negative meaning is the one most often translated in English, “to be anxious or distracted, troubled with cares.” In some contexts, though, it can have a more positive meaning, “to care for, provide for, or look out for.” In that case, the Greek word is often translated “care” or “concern.”

This sort of “anxiety” is what the apostle Paul meant in today’s reading (v. 28; cf. 2 Cor. 11:28). Though this month we’re mainly focusing on worry as a sin—and indeed, that is how Scripture mostly uses the term—we should also examine this alternative meaning. There is such a thing as appropriate care or concern, which doesn’t become an obsession or an idol. This godly example from Paul helps us to see concern that doesn’t cross the line into worry. This concern is felt while still expressing faith in God.

As an emissary from the church at Philippi, Epaphroditus had visited the apostle Paul in Rome, where he was under house arrest (v. 25; 4:18). While there, Epaphroditus had fallen ill and nearly died (vv, 27, 30). He felt homesick and emotionally distressed because his illness had alarmed the Philippians (v. 26). Feeling similarly, Paul looked forward to sending Epaphroditus safely back home (v. 28). The believers there should welcome and honor him as having “almost died for the work of Christ” (vv. 29–30).

What made Paul’s “anxiety” in this case legitimate and even godly? First, the illness occurred while Epaphroditus was doing the work of Christ, not self-centered pursuits. The risk had been worth it. And second, Paul acknowledged the situation had been in God’s hands all along, saying, “God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me” (v. 27).

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Have you thought your anxiety was justified, but in fact it demonstrated a lack of faith? On the other hand, have you thought your anxiety was sinful because someone told you Christians should always feel happy? Invite the Holy Spirit to assess your cares and concerns through the lens of Paul’s example in Scripture.

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Read 2 PETER 2:17-22

Setan’s life seemed to be turning around. She had been sold by her family to a brothel owner in Phnom Penh when she was 12 years old, with the hope that she would earn money for her family. But two years later the police raided the brothel and declared that she was free. A local couple offered to take in several of the young girls and provide them with schooling. But this salvation was actually a ruse: the couple intended to force the girls into yet another prostitution ring.

Such stories should horrify and anger us. Abuse of vulnerable children is a grievous sin, and even worse is the promise of freeing children from bondage only to enslave them again (see Matt. 18:6). This should help us understand Peter’s feeling about the false teachers who are ensnaring new believers, young children in the faith, and leading them away from the truth of freedom in Christ.

Scripture certainly doesn’t mince words about the sin of these deceivers and the judgment that awaits them. They promise life and freedom but deliver death and slavery (vv. 17, 19). They tell believers that following Jesus doesn’t mean giving up your sinful habits and desires—in fact, they claim that their pride and lust and greed are perfectly acceptable to God (v. 18). Doesn’t God want you to be happy? they hiss, an echo of the first deception perpetrated by Satan in the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 3:1–5).

Judgment will come: “Blackest darkness is reserved for them” (v. 18). What makes their embrace and propagation of heresy even more tragic is that these false teachers have heard the gospel (vv. 20–21). They have rejected the marriage supper of the Lamb in order to feast on vomit (v. 22; see Rev. 19:19).

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If you are a new follower of Jesus, make every effort to grow in your faith: read Scripture, attend a Bible study, find a spiritual mentor, or take a course through Moody Distance Learning (moody.edu/distance-learning). If you’re an established believer, make every effort to support the spiritual growth of others!

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Read 2 PETER 2:10–16

Recall the story of Balaam (Numbers 22—24). Frightened of the vast nation of Israel moving through the land, King Balak of Moab hired Balaam to curse them. Balaam, a powerful prophet or sorcerer, was eager to accept the assignment—and the payment that came with it—but encountered a problem: the Lord would not allow him to curse His people. Instead, blessings poured from his mouth.

There has been no shortage of those who are willing to lead God’s people into destruction as long as they can make a profit from it. Peter describes the arrogance of these false teachers, who disregard the power of God and spiritual reality. Their pride infects both their blasphemous teaching and their sacrilegious lifestyle, which openly celebrates the pursuit of pleasure (vv. 12–13). They don’t respect God’s authority over either their beliefs or their actions.

These false teachers demonstrate a shocking disregard for others. They will seduce others into adultery, if it suits their whim. They will exploit others for financial gain, if they feel like it. They will profane the gathering of believers for worship and celebrations such as the Lord’s Supper, if they can get away with it (v. 14). The trinity worshiped by these heretics is Me, Myself, and I.

In the midst of this fiery pronouncement of judgment on the pride of these false prophets, don’t miss the note of reassurance for believers. God used a donkey to restrain Balaam, and He is able to protect His people today from the curse of false teachers (v. 16; see Num. 22:21–35). When we are tempted to despair, remember that if God can make a donkey speak, He is able to curtail the power of false prophets and the devastation of their heresy.

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Peter uses the story of Balaam to warn of ungodly teachers and to remind us of the protection of God. Take some extra time to read those chapters in Numbers, noting the ways that Balaam opposed Israel and also the ways that God thwarted his plan. Note especially the prophecy about Jesus, the best promise of all (Num. 24:15–19).

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Read 2 PETER 2:4–9

Many scholars think that the false teachers that concerned Peter were influenced by Epicurean philosophy, which rejected the notion of divine providence. Without the gods (or God) intervening in human affairs, there was also no divine judgment, and so the most important thing was to pursue and fulfill human desires. The Roman historian Plutarch said this about the Epicurean beliefs: “The procrastination and delay of the Deity . . . destroys belief in providence.” If there’s either no god or God can’t punish wickedness, why not do whatever you want?

In these verses, Peter demolishes the notion that false teachers will escape the judgment of God. He relies on what has already been established as the unshakable foundation for truth: God’s character and His Word.

From the beginning, God has declared divine, holy judgment on those who oppose Him. The angels led by Lucifer were cast out of heaven (v. 4; see Isa. 14:12–15). The Lord ended the reign of ungodliness that had filled the earth by bringing the Flood, saving Noah and judging those who mocked him (v. 5; see Gen. 6:13). The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, in which not even ten righteous people could be found, was punished by God through utter destruction (v. 6; see Genesis 19).

All of these examples are documented in Scripture, testifying to God’s holiness and sovereignty. And as we’ve seen in chapter 1, we can rely on Scripture as the reliable and inspired Word of God. In the midst of judgment, however, God is also faithful to save the righteous. Noah and Lot are proof that God keeps His promises (v. 9). The wicked can be assured of God’s judgment, and the righteous can be assured of His deliverance.

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These words should encourage our hearts. We can look at the world and identify reasons for fear and dismay: people profane the name of the Lord, the greedy oppress the needy, and sinful desires are encouraged. But we have God’s promise to deliver us, both from the trials and temptations of life now and from the judgment on the world to come.

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Read 2 PETER 2:1–3

The term confidence man or con man was coined in the 1800s, a time one historian described as the “Golden Age of Schemes.” A.V. Lamartine perpetrated a strange con: he’d check into a hotel room and then pretend to ingest poison to commit suicide. After giving him medical treatment, kindhearted strangers would raise funds to help him on his way; it appears he made a living by “attempting suicide” for several years.

Hucksters, false prophets, and con artists today send emails from supposed Nigerian princes or promise health and wealth with one more donation. As Peter notes, false teachers infiltrated Israel and will try to distract and destroy the church (v. 1; see Jer. 23:16).

Notice the red flags of false teaching. First, they question the nature of God. Is He the sovereign Lord? Are His power and love the bedrock of our faith? Or do we need to do something to help Him out? Perhaps we need access to a magic formula or someone else to connect us with God. These “destructive heresies” attempt to undermine our confidence in the truth that the Lord is sovereign, He is trustworthy, and His promises are good.

Second, false teaching rejects the truth about how we should live (v. 2). As we’ve seen, the life of a Christian should demonstrate the saving power of God through goodness and self-control, not a life of depraved passions. The unbridled pursuit of human pleasure contradicts the truth of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE GREED OF FALSE TEACHERS →

Read 2 PETER 1:12–21

Earlier this year The Atlantic published overwhelming evidence that what the papyrus scholars had named “The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife” was in fact an elaborate forgery and hoax created by a man in Florida. Forged historical documents have included diaries allegedly by Hitler, Mussolini, Howard Hughes, and Jack the Ripper, and “The Donation of Constantine” that supposedly documented the emperor’s transfer of much of Italy to the Pope.

Throughout much of this letter, Peter urges the churches to distinguish between truth and lies. They needed to remember what and whom to trust. From indications in the letter, these readers were established in the faith (v. 12). But since the assault of deception never ceases, it’s important to “refresh your memory” about God’s promises and power (v. 13). Standing strong against the temptation to embrace the world’s values requires an ongoing commitment to remember the truth of God’s Word and His work in our lives.

As Peter neared the end of his earthly life, he was committed to “make every effort” to strengthen the faith of believers (vv. 14–15). Look at the evidence for trusting the message of the gospel! It begins with Jesus, and eyewitnesses could attest to His teaching and miracles. God the Father pronounced that He was indeed the Son of God, who was doing God’s will (v. 17).

Next, we can trust the message of Scripture. The Word of God helps to shine a light to guide us through the darkness of this world (v. 19; see Psalm 119). Reading, studying, and remembering Scripture will help us stay grounded in truth. Finally, we have the Holy Spirit, who inspired the prophets as they penned the letters and poetry and history of Scripture. We have the truth, and a God whom we can trust.

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How can you refresh your memory about the truth of God? One way is to keep a spiritual journal in which you keep a record of answered prayers and times God has worked in your life. Another is to memorize Scripture, even just a verse or two at a time. Listening to sermons that focus on teaching God’s Word can also encourage you to stand strong in your faith.

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Read 2 PETER 1:5–11

A man in China was delighted to get two puppies from a local farmer. Several months later, however, the puppies were exhibiting unusual behavior. They killed and ate his pet chickens. They had an insatiable appetite. And they were huge—each weighed over 100 pounds. But not until the man saw a pamphlet on endangered animals did he realize that his beloved dogs weren’t dogs at all: they were Asian black bears.

Behavior and growth often confirm identity. Puppies grow into dogs; if they don’t look like dogs or act like dogs, then they probably aren’t dogs at all. In the same way, we expect those who identify with Jesus Christ and “participate in the divine nature” to grow more like Him.

The qualities listed in verses 5 through 7 remind us of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23). Here, the exhortation is to “make every effort,” a phrase repeated twice (vv. 5, 10). This passage is not saying that our effort brings about our salvation. Rather, these pursuits should claim our attention. And as we saw in our reading yesterday, it is through God’s power and promises that we are able to live this way at all. Our daily concern should be to participate in the work that the Spirit is doing within us to make our identity as the children of God clearly evident to all (v. 10).

Finally, Peter includes another reference to the spiritual abundance that contrasts with the evil desires. These qualities, self-control and godliness and love, grow in our lives “in increasing measure,” a phrase that connotes a lavish outpouring and overflowing of goodness (v. 8). We can experience these blessings now, while we wait for our “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 11).

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Reflect on your life as a Christian, and consider how you’ve grown spiritually in these qualities. Do you see evidence of more self-control and perseverance? Do you have more love for God and others? Ask the Holy Spirit to convict and encourage you as you rejoice in His work in your life and continue to “make every effort” to be more like Jesus.

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Read 2 PETER 1:1–4

Our culture doesn’t value self-restraint. Advertising slogans urge us to buy products from cars to cosmetics “because you’re worth it.” We’re told to “follow your bliss,” “just do it,” “have it your way,” and “you do you.” The limits on our wanting, taking, and having seem to be melting away.

Peter also lived in a culture pervaded by these messages, and this letter was written to warn the church to resist the siren call of false teachers of pleasure. While following the form of letters in his day, Peter modifies the traditional wish for good health into a prayer for a different kind of abundance: “grace and peace be yours in abundance” (v. 2). Throughout this letter Peter will remind his readers that the abundance promised by the world can’t compare to the riches promised to us by God.

The world—particularly our modern consumer culture—constantly says that we need more, more, more. In contrast, Peter affirms that God has already supplied what we need for a godly life. Through Jesus, we have faith in the Lord and His righteousness (v. 1). We are able to know God and be in a relationship with Him! And we have His promises, rooted in His own goodness and His own glory.

Some have misconstrued the phrase at the end of verse 4, “participate in the divine nature,” to mean that we either are or will become god-like humans. But Peter is not suggesting that at all. Rather, he says that we’re declared righteous before God and can live in a way that pleases the Lord. In other words, God has made it possible for us to reorient our desires away from the temptations that would destroy us and instead share in His promises for our future with Him.

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Scripture is not calling us to a life of asceticism in which we renounce all joys and pleasures. God is calling us to recognize—and desire—all His good gifts, which far surpass the temporary pleasure of the stuff we want. To think more about desire and the life of faith, you can read the book Teach Us to Want by Jen Pollock Michel.

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Read 1 PETER 5:6–9

Kanika grew up in a devout Hindu home in Delhi, India. When she became a Christian at the age of 20, her daily life became filled with struggles: Kanika wanted to attend a Christian church, but her parents insisted that she join the family at the Hindu temple. When they found her Bible and prayer journal, they threw them out. She wants to marry a fellow believer, but her parents plan to arrange a marriage with another Hindu in their caste.

Like millions of Christians around the world, Kanika faces constant decisions about how to follow Jesus in a society and home that oppose her faith. Though not physically oppressed, the struggle of resisting her parents and friends day after day can be exhausting, and sometimes she thinks it would be easier to just give in.

Peter’s first readers of this letter knew exactly what Kanika is experiencing, and these verses were written to renew their focus on God and refresh their spirits for the ongoing spiritual battle. Humility in our relationships, as we’ve explored throughout this book of 1 Peter, ultimately derives from our humility before God. He is God, and we are not. He cares for us, and knows the end of our story. He is mighty to save us when we cannot save ourselves.

In contrast to our strong and loving God is the devil, who wants to destroy the lives and witness of believers (v.8). Peter notes that standing strong in the face of these attacks of spiritual warfare requires an active resistance; we cannot be passive in the face of our spiritual enemy. How do we resist the temptation to abandon faith? By keeping our perspective on God’s promise to deliver us in His time, and by embracing the fellowship of other Christians to encourage and sustain us.

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If you are blessed with loved ones who support your desire to live for Christ, commit to praying for your fellow Christians who face the temptation to abandon faith because of persecution. If you don’t have a Christian community to support you, look for small group or prayer partner to encourage you to stand strong for the Lord.

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Read 1 PETER 4:12–19

Tariku Fufa was thirteen years old when he decided to follow Jesus. Upon hearing the news, his father gave him an ultimatum: “Tariku, I give you a choice between Jesus and family.” When the boy remained firm in his commitment to Christ, his father beat him, cut his face with a knife, and threw him out into the streets of Begi, Ethiopia, to fend for himself. Without his medication, Tariku nearly died from an asthma attack, but felt God’s assurance that He had something else in store for this young man.

Believers in many parts of the world today know from painful experience what it means to suffer for the name of Christ. Our passage today contains two shocking messages about Christian suffering, specifically opposition from others because they know from our lives and our testimony that we are identified with Jesus.

First, we should not be surprised or find it strange that suffering befalls those who follow Jesus (v. 12). But in fact, many of us do assume that our Christian faith and good lives will make us popular and successful. As Peter has outlined throughout this letter, when we identify with Christ, our lives no longer align with the world’s values. And our Savior Himself suffered unjustly.

The second shocking message is that when we suffer, we should praise God (v. 16). It’s important to note that this is not Christian stoicism or fatalism. Just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane (and in keeping with the prayers in the Psalms), we can ask God to protect and deliver us. But our perspective on being persecuted because we follow Christ should be shaped by praise: gratitude that we have the privilege of being identified with Jesus, and thankfulness that our God will be faithful (vv. 16–19).

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Six years later, Tariku’s father asked his forgive- ness. Concluding that it was a miracle he was alive, Tariku’s siblings and many in his village accepted Christ. Today he ministers to Africans in 23 countries. Pray for persecuted believers around the world, for God’s protection and reasons to praise His name.

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Read 1 PETER 4:7–11

A report from the bank HSBC in April indicated that British people spend fewer hours deciding whether to buy a house than they do on planning the menu for a dinner party. The process of mulling an offer for a new home took on average 26 hours, whereas the decisions about what food to serve to guests took 31 hours.

When we hear the word hospitality, we might think of a home with interior design fit for a magazine spread, an exquisite dinner party with several courses, and a hostess who has memorized Emily Post’s book Etiquette. Is that the exhortation from Peter in today’s reading? There’s nothing wrong with a gracious hostess inviting people into her well-appointed home for a lovely meal—but Scripture is calling Christians to something even better.

Peter has just instructed his readers to remain firm in rejecting their former pagan lifestyle. Now he tells them what to embrace: instead of drunkenness, be sober in order to pray. Instead of retaliating when wronged, choose love and forgiveness. Instead of the selfish pursuit of pleasure, offer hospitality to others even when it’s inconvenient (vv. 7–9). These are important disciplines and practices of the Christian life; prayer, love, and hospitality distinguish believers from the cultural values around them.

The final verses in this passage remind us that all believers contribute to the strengthening and encouragement of the church through the use of our gifts. They are one means God uses to put His grace into practice in the community of faith (v. 10). Every gift should be used “with the strength God provides,” which blesses others and brings glory to God (v. 11). Though oppressed, marginalized, and mocked by the culture, the church has the limitless grace of God and the victory through Christ.

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How can you offer hospitality? The early church often offered travelers a safe place to stay; today missionaries often need a place to stay overnight. The early church needed people willing to host gatherings in their home; today small groups often need a place to meet. You could also share a meal with visitors, college students, or people in need.

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Read 1 PETER 4:1–6

Addiction to prescription opioid medications has devastated lives in many parts of the United States. One group of addicts struggling to stay clean shared their daily challenges: “I had to tell my son he can’t come to my house because he’s still using,” said one woman. “My friends don’t understand why I’d rather keep my job and my kids instead of hang out with them and get high,” said another. The group counselor gave this advice: “Don’t spend more than six seconds with someone—any longer you’ll start entertaining ideas.”

Many won’t understand or support the choice to turn away from destruction and toward life, as Peter’s readers knew all too well. They were mocked and derided for refusing to participate in the pursuit of pleasures (v. 4). Christians in the Roman Empire abstained from violent and erotic entertainments such as theater, chariot races, and gladiatorial contests. Along with debauchery that often accompanied pagan worship, these were culturally approved occasions for an absence of self-restraint and the unbridled consumption of sex.

Note how Peter encouraged us to stay strong in the face of cultural pressure and persecution. Focusing on Jesus— His humility, suffering, and victory—helps provide us with armor to resist these temptations (v. 1). Just as Jesus chose obedience to the Father even though it resulted in His physical suffering, so also our choice of faithfulness over sin might result in suffering.

But though we might suffer, we know to whom we ultimately must give an account for our choices (v. 5). Though ostracism, persecution, and ridicule are difficult, it will be worth it when we stand before God, the Judge of all. Even those who have already died and appeared to get away with lives filled with lust and idolatry will not escape the judgment of God.

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Has the Holy Spirit convicted you about something that you need to give up? Make a list of what you’ll need to turn away from: Are there places to avoid? People to see less often? Items to get rid of? Also make a list of what you’ll need to turn toward: Are there people who can help encourage you? Can you replace destructive habits with life-giving ones?

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Read 1 PETER 3:1–7

Contestants from Venezuela have won more international beauty pageants than those from any other country. And beauty pageants have become a big business: some pay more than half their monthly salaries to send their daughters to one of the numerous beauty academies. As one young woman said, “Every girl here dreams of being a ‘Miss.’ . . . When you live in a country where a beautiful woman has greater career prospects than someone with a strong work ethic and first-class education, you are forced into the mindset that there is nothing more important than beauty.”

Peter’s words in today’s reading offer freedom and consolation to all who feel trapped by cultural notions of value and worth. But wait, we might say. How can there be freedom in this exhortation to submit?

Unlike any of the Greek or Roman household codes, Scripture addresses wives directly, affirming their dignity. But Peter does not instruct Christian wives to ignore or undermine their unbelieving husbands. Instead, Peter calls for a humility that follows the example of Christ to inform domestic relationships. Wives were free to choose submission, rather than forced to follow a cultural mandate, as a way to make their Christian faith attractive to their husbands. Peter also notes that the worth and value of wives—and truly, all of us—is found in God, not in the cultural burdens of outward perfection.

Finally, Peter addresses husbands, who held the power and authority in Roman culture. They too are called to humility: they should not abuse their power, but rather treat their wives with respect and kindness (v. 7). Though according to the household codes they had all the privilege, in God’s sight their wives were also heirs of the eternal inheritance (see 1:4).

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Beauty, fame, wealth, power, fashion—these oppress us if we use them to measure our worth. How much better to have the beauty of godly character that will never fade (v. 4), an inheritance in heaven that will never spoil (1:4), and the power of God that guarantees our salvation (1:5). Find freedom from the world’s burdens in Jesus (2:21).

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Read 1 PETER 2:18–25

Many Greek and Roman philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, and Seneca, composed household codes. These codes included instructions for proper family relationships between spouses, parents and children, and slaves. They assumed that the family unit was the sphere in which people fulfilled their social and political duties, with the roles divinely fixed by the gods.

In our reading today, Peter expands on the exhortation that began in verse 13. At first glance, 1 Peter 2:18–3:7 appears to resemble traditional household codes, like Plutarch’s Advice to the Bride and Groom or Seneca’s Moral Epistles, both of which were written in about the same time period as this letter. Peter’s initial readers almost certainly would have been familiar with these codes. But notice how Peter applies the reality of Christian identity in a way that shifts the foundation for these relationships.

First, Peter addresses slaves (and later, wives) directly, something no Greek philosopher does (v. 18). Unlike the culture, God views slaves as full and equal persons. In fact, slaves are described as “called”—their identity in Christ was the same as other believers (v. 21). Second, the motivation for their behavior was reverence for God, not the power of their masters. Peter doesn’t directly attack the social practice of having household slaves, but he shifts the locus of authority for a Christian slave from the master to God.

Finally, the example for how to live when oppressed under an unjust social and political order is Jesus Himself (v. 21). Isaiah 53 reminds us of the humiliation suffered by the perfect Savior and reinforces the truth that our identity is intertwined with His. Even people marginalized by our cultural notions of worth can place their trust in Jesus and find their true identity in Him.

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Peter doesn’t pretend that we will always be treated fairly. Instead, he directs our focus to Jesus, who also suffered. If you are suffering with an irrational boss or a difficult neighbor or an unfair teacher, ask the Lord to renew your confidence in your identity in Christ. We can demonstrate salvation living when we follow His example.

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Read 1 PETER 2:13–17

In 1908, John T. Dower was working as a secretary for the Y.M.C.A. in Worcester, Mass., when he learned that his uncle had died in Australia—and he was heir to a $10 million fortune. Dower reportedly agreed to travel to Australia to handle his uncle’s postmortem interests, but he said that whether or not he received the $10 million, he intended to keep working at his job in the local Y.M.C.A. branch.

At this point in 1 Peter, the letter has stressed our identity as the people of God, using words such as chosen, holy, and special. We have an eternal inheritance guaranteed by God Himself (1:4). So we might be surprised when our reading opens with the exhortation, “Submit yourselves . . . to every human authority” (v. 13).

Peter has outlined our identity, and now he turns to the practical implications for how we live in the world. As we’ll see throughout the next few chapters, our status as God’s special possession does not exempt us from humility in human relationships. New Testament scholar Karen Jobes argues that the word good that occurs three times in verses 12 through 15 indicates a quality beyond the expected norm. In other words, obeying the law is expected for all people—but Christians should go beyond this to contribute good for the community. Christians not only submit by recognizing the appropriate human governing authorities, they also serve even “the pagans” and “foolish people” by participating in good initiatives that bless all (vv. 12, 15).

The purpose of this service is not to bring attention to our own humility or goodness but to bring glory to God. We submit “for the Lord’s sake”; we do good for others because “it is God’s will” (vv. 13, 15). Ultimately we are able to serve others because we recognize that our true Master is God (v. 16).

APPLY THE WORD

For centuries, Christians have followed this instruction through initiatives that served communities, including building hospitals, staffing food banks, lobbying for prison reform, and volunteering in schools. How can you demonstrate humility by serving others? Look for opportunities sponsored by your church or other Christian groups.

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Read 1 PETER 2:4–8

Cosmologist (and atheist) Lawrence Krauss wrote, “Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. . . . So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today.” We shouldn’t be surprised when the world rejects Jesus, for whatever reason. After all, He was “despised and rejected” (Isa. 53:3), or as our passage today puts it, “the stone the builders rejected” (v. 7).

The structure of these verses reveals some important truths about Jesus and our identity as those who trust in Him. Jesus is the living Stone, and we are “like living stones” (v. 5). Believers are a spiritual house, and Jesus is the cornerstone of the house. Those who trust Jesus will “never be put to shame,” and believers view Jesus with honor and not shame (vv. 6–7; see Isa. 28:16). And rejecting the message of Jesus is the same as rejecting Jesus Himself, and leads to the same destiny (v. 8;

Ps. 118:22).

Peter adapts quotations from the Old Testament and uses the metaphor of stones used to build a house in order to underscore that our identity is bound together with the person and work of Christ. We are able to experience new life because He is alive. We are able to please God because Jesus pleased God (v. 5). And we should not be surprised when our attempts to share the gospel are rebuffed or we encounter opposition as Christians, for Christ Himself was rejected.

Notice that Peter uses the word precious three times in these verses to describe Jesus. He is precious to God, the precious cornerstone, and precious to believers. We have the privilege of knowing and trusting in the Savior of great worth, and our salvation is a treasure—as Peter said earlier, “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1:4).

APPLY THE WORD

Is Jesus precious to you? Can you identify ways that your life reveals that He is your treasure? You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith provides insightful perspective for believers who want to grow in their desire for God. One important way is participating with other “living stones” in worship and service in your local church.

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