The Apostle Peter writes his first inspired letter to people who have had to suffer as a result of following Jesus Christ. From the beginning of his letter through chapter 2, verse 10 Peter has encouraged and reassured his readers that the salvation they have received as a result of their faith in Jesus is extremely valuable and that God has given them a very high and honorable position. But the true test of belief is whether we are willing to make changes in the way we live as a result of our beliefs. The person who truly believes in and follows Jesus will have a very different life-style and attitude from the person who does not. Peter gives two principles which should govern Christian behavior in all circumstances. The first is found in chapter 2, verse 11 where he writes, “Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
The first principle, then, that should govern Christian behavior is to abstain from “fleshly lusts” (NIV, “sinful desires”). What is Peter’s motive for giving such a command? Does he merely wish to prevent people from enjoying themselves? This is not the case at all. Peter addresses those to whom he is writing this command as “beloved.” But this translation does not convey the full meaning of what Peter is saying. The root of the word that Peter uses is the same as the word he used in chapter 1, verse 22 when he instructed the followers of Jesus to love one another with the same kind of love that God has. It is because Peter himself has God’s love for the readers of this letter that he exhorts them to abstain from sinful desires. His purpose is not to prevent people from enjoying themselves, but for them to do what is best for their own well-being.
As the basis for his command Peter points out that the followers of Jesus are “foreigners and pilgrims” (NIV “aliens and strangers”). Peter had already addressed the people he is writing to as foreigners in chapter 1, verse 1. This is a reminder that the followers of Jesus have a heavenly or spiritual home and do not belong to this world. But here Peter uses an even stronger word – alien. For the Christian this world is like a foreign country. While he lives in the world, he does not have citizenship in it. As Peter has already pointed out in chapter 2, verses 9 and 10 the follower of Jesus are a people belonging to God. Just as the culture, customs and traditions in one country are different from those in another, so too the culture, customs and traditions of the heavenly kingdom of Christ are different than those of the world. By urging the followers of Jesus to abstain from sinful desires Peter is telling them to remain true to their own country.
A sinful desire is any desire which if yielded to will cause us to sin . It is worth noting that Peter is not speaking about merely abstaining from sinful acts, but also from the thoughts and attitudes that produce the acts. The Apostle Paul gives a list of some of these acts and attitudes when he writes, “Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these…” (Galatians 5:19-21)
The reason that Peter gives for abstaining from sinful desires is that they war against the soul. The word that he uses pictures an encamped army. Sinful desires lay siege to our souls waiting for any opportunity to attack and destroy us. As followers of Jesus we must not give them that opportunity.
The second principle that Peter gives which should govern the actions of Christ’s followers is to live good lives. In chapter 2, verse 12 he writes, “having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.” To refrain from doing evil is not enough. To be pleasing to God we must also actively do good. Jesus illustrated this truth this way: He said, “The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)
The follower of Jesus is not to live an isolated life in the sense of living away from other people in the world. Peter makes it clear that our lives are to be among, and our conduct is to be visible to the nations. But, our lives are to be different. In using the word ‘nations” Peter is drawing a direct contrast to the followers of Jesus whom he had called a holy nation in chapter 2, verse 9. The pagan nations are lost in darkness whereas God’s holy nation has been called into his wonderful light. And, it is because the followers of Jesus live in God’s light that their actions are visible. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
But being in the light carries a price. Peter says that the pagan nation will accuse the followers of Jesus of doing wrong. If the Christian continues to do good however, the pagan nations will, in the end, glorify God because of those deeds. It is important to understand that Peter is not referring to certain deeds that will earn merit. Instead, he is speaking of our conduct in everyday life. When people look at the way we live our lives are they motivated to glorify God?
When Peter writes of the day God visits he is reminding us that God is the ultimate judge. The word translated ‘visitation’ implies an inspection or investigation. The follower of Jesus may be accused of wrongdoing by the pagan nations, but it is God who will decide. And the pagan nations will glorify God when the followers of Jesus are vindicated.