• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"By your good works"

Text: 1 Peter 2:12

A GENTLE WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The Apostle Peter had learned to love the brethren as the Lord Jesus had taught. Peter and Paul were alike in this matter. They used the word “beloved” nobly! His words reflected a heart that had become like that of the Lord Jesus!

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles,
that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may, by your good works which they observe,
glorify God in the day of visitation.”

1 Peter 2:11-12

1. A personal and tender word of exhortation

a) Peter loved his people.

b) They were beloved to him.

2. Living as God’s people who had obtained mercy

a) There must be abstention from lusts of the flesh.

b) Ultimately, fleshly lust is war against the soul.

3. Living in this world

a) Sojourners and Pilgrims.

b) They are synonyms.

c) They are used together to communicate the following:

i) We are but strangers (aliens).

ii) We are temporary residents.

iii) This world is not our permanent home.

4. Ethnic tension

a) Peter was conscious of his believers as ethnic Jews.

b) There was already in existence some tension between Jews and Gentiles.

c) There were many differences:

i) Historically

ii) Culturally

iii) Religiously

5. Criticism from Gentiles

a) Peter was aware that Gentiles were observing the behaviour of the Jews.

b) They were also quite quick to criticise the Jews for any faults or bad deeds.

6. Christian conduct

a) How should Jewish Christians behave in world of predominantly Gentiles?

b) Peter’s challenge was that believers should live an honourable life.

c) The word “honourable” simply means “good”.

d) A good life is characterised by “good works”.

7. “The day of visitation”

a) The word “visitation” has the idea of “seeing” or “overseeing”.

i) God oversees everything.

ii) He watches carefully life on earth.

b) Two aspects are to be borne in mind:

i) The Present aspect

ii) The Future aspect

8. The present aspect

a) Gentiles may speak against the believers.

b) God will vindicate.

9. The future aspect

a) This has to do with the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) He will give the final vindication.

i) He will honour those who live honourably.

ii) They will be blessed.