September 9, 2014
TRUST GOD OR TRUST YOURSELF?
1 Peter 2:13–25
Julia McDonald
Central Truth
Peter is encouraging his audience to stand firm and respond in a Christlike way when facing persecution for their faith.
Key Verse | 1 Peter 2:23
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)
1 Peter 2:13–25
Submission to Authority
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, 1 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people whether it be to the emperor 2 2:13 Or king; also verse 17 as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants 3 2:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Dive Deeper | 1 Peter 2:13–25
It is so easy for us to want to control the situation and to let anger get the best of us. It is easy for us to want to have revenge and "revile in return," or to threaten those who oppress us. But instead, Christ has set the perfect example for us to follow, encouraging us not to revile in return and to utter no threats under suffering. Peter states that we shouldn't do these things; instead, we need to entrust ourselves to Him "who judges righteously" and leave the outcome of our circumstances with Him. When we are able to entrust ourselves to Him, the judgment of our righteous God will bring tranquility and consolation to the oppressed.
It is very common for us as humans to respond and react in a way that contradicts the character of Christ whom we are called to emulate. When faced with struggles or difficult circumstances, I tend to get angry or criticize others, because of my difficulty in obeying Scripture's command to be slow to anger and to speak, and quick to listen and understand (James 1:19-20). Instead, I need to remind myself that because I have no control over the outcome of anything in this world, there is no reason for me to respond with reviling or hostility. Rather, I need to trust God to fairly judge those who oppress, remain confident in His righteousness, and exemplify Christ's obedience under suffering.
Discussion Questions
1. How can we choose to live honorably in the midst of unfair treatment?
2. Why is it so easy for us to respond by reviling in the midst of suffering?
3. Why is it difficult for us to entrust circumstances to God who judges righteously?