PRACTICING GOD-GLORIFYING EXCELLENT BEHAVIOR: THE INTRODUCTION TO THE SECTION

(1 Peter 2:11-12)

INTRODUCTION

A. The Rapport for the Time

Wow, the worship songs, as usual, were wonderfully played and sung, were they not? I always wanted to glorify God like that in song, but the truth is, I cannot sing like that (tone deaf), not even in the shower. However, I do find that singing in the shower is fun, at least until I get soap in my mouth, then, of course, it becomes a soap opera! 😊

Now, I will not apologize for the dad humor because I am a dad, and I am a proud Papa of six grandchildren, and I must admit that it gives me great joy to aggravate and mock those who think being spiritual means gloom and doom, just like Elijah did on Mount Carmel!

Do you remember how Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:27-28? It reads,

27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god (surely your god has ears); either he is occupied or gone aside (maybe he is busy or had to go to the restroom), or is on a journey (maybe he is out of town), or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened (taking a nap).” 28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them (it led to loud wailing and self-mutilation; does it sound like they are joyous?).

We need to mock those who teach others to worship God in that way! If the God you worship brings you misery and gloom and doom, like the prophets of Baal, then you need to change the God you are worshipping. He is not the true God!

The Scriptures teach us that our Lord’s burden is light! Jesus teaches, in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. But, in Matthew 23:4, listen to what Jesus teaches us about the scribes and Pharisees, those who stand firm in something other than true grace: “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger . . .”

Peter outlines for us in his first epistle how we can glorify the true God with joy unspeakable and full of glory, triumphantly, in this soap opera world. Let us consider once again what he teaches us!

B. The Review of the Themes

In previous studies, we have seen that Peter’s purpose in writing this letter is set forth in 1 Peter 5:12, Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! So, Peter writes this letter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to exhort believers, in every age, to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God (Overall Theme of the Letter: OT)!

Peter knew that those, to whom he wrote, were to face a series of trials that would come in like waves, fiery ordeals of suffering and persecution (4:12), that could knock them off their feet and remove their firm stance in the true grace of God. These waves are heard thunderously crashing on the shoreline of every chapter in this letter!

Yet, Peter stresses that believers are to rejoice greatly amid these trials, like exuberant surfers riding waves. Let me show you what I mean:

1 Peter 1:1, 6—1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia . . . . 6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials . . .

1 Peter 2:20—20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. (Patient, not murmuring or griping, but with joy!)

1 Peter 3:13-14—13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled . . .

The opposite of fear and trouble is joy and peace. So, once again we see persecution met with joy!

1 Peter 4:12-14— 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoiceinasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Peter 5:8-11— 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

We see here the onslaught of persecution, but where is the joyous praise? Well, what is Amen but a joyous expression of agreement with God?

So, Peter was writing this letter to saints, in every age, so that they might stand firm (be inflexibly obstinate) triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God (OT)!

We need men and women today who will not compromise the true grace of God, but who will stand firm triumphantly for God’s glory! Why? Because only true grace will transform lives!

Well, you might say, how is facing trials with joy unspeakable and full of glory even possible under such duress? What is Peter’s strategy in leading these saints to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God, amidst the waves of life? That is the question that this letter answers. In reply to this question, Peter sets forth a seven-fold strategy:

I. PRESUPPOSE THE WAVES OF PERSECUTION (1:6; 2:20; 3:13-14; 4:12; 5:8, 11/the

Occasion of the Letter: Surprise over Suffering Coming from within the Church; we need to note all seven strategies because just knowing we are living in a double red flag day is not enough in and of itself as we have seen recently where 12 people lost their lives in two weeks on the Gulf Coast, June 2023)

II. PRAY FOR THE RESOURCES OF GOD (1:1-2) (Illustration: Look to God, not the arm of the flesh)

III. PRAISE THE TRIUNE GOD (1:3-12) (How we think about God matters! If you remain in a praising disposition, you will not be moved away from God to that which will not stand)

IV. PUT YOUR HOPE COMPLETELY ON THE GRACE TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU (1:13-21) (Fix your hope on grace and grace alone; look to the final outcome of grace!)

V. PASSIONATELY LOVE ONE ANOTHER (1:22-2:10) (If we do not hang together, we shall all hang separately)

VI. PRACTICE GOD-GLORIFYING EXCELLENT BEHAVIOR (2:11-5:11)

VII. PAY YOUR RESPECTS (5:12-14)

These seven strategies are God’s plan for the church to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God during the stormy waves of life. Our focus this morning, as mentioned earlier, will be on the sixth part of this strategy, namely, practicing God-glorifying excellent behavior! By the way, this part of the strategy lays the ax to the root of antinomian false grace (Jesus – works) view.

To stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God, we, the church, must practice God-glorifying excellent behavior. If you will, Peter sets forth that our practice, the way we live is of vital importance in standing firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God! Standing firm triumphantly in the true grace of God, while exhibiting God-glorifying excellent behavior, is God’s plan for bringing the lost to glorify God in the day of visitation!

C. The Relevance of the Topic

How so, you may ask? Well, when the waves of trials come our way, the tendency is to seek to avoid them by compromising true grace. Standing firm triumphantly in the true grace of God is a sure way to experience an onslaught of fiery trials. Nothing so infuriates Satan, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), and his emissaries any more than a person who gives God all the glory! So, when these inevitable trials come, the danger is to compromise true grace to avoid these attacks. The danger is to compromise true grace for false grace, Jesus +(legalism) or Jesus –(antinomianism). False grace, legalism and antinomianism, are palatable to the devil and this world but it will never bring people to glorify God!

Both legalism and antinomianism are self-centered at their very core, not God-centered! Legalism takes credit for salvation. While antinomianism views salvation as a license to indulge the flesh. They feed the flesh either way and that is why they are the most popular forms of evangelicalism in every age! The chief danger to the spread of the gospel is false grace!

People often want to talk about the dangers of Mormonism, Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all the other isms, and rightly so, they are dangerous, but nothing is more deadly than false grace (legalism and antinomianism) because they bear the label of Christianity. Listen to Jesus’ commentary, in Matthew 23:13-15, 23-33, on the deadliness of false grace, what most churches teach these days:

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in (false grace shuts off evangelism). 14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses (they gobble up what the least of these can give to fill their own pockets), and for a pretense you make long prayers (no one prays longer than these people and they love to make a show of it; their prayers amount to an infomercial of self-advertising their self-righteous deeds); therefore you will receive greater condemnation (they will get away with it now, but not on that day). 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte (they travel across sea and land to gain followers loyal to themselves); and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin (Have you ever wondered how it is that people know what they tithe? Oh, they make sure everyone knows what they do; everybody and their brother knows about it), and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel (They look for splinters in others while they have a log in their own eye; you don’t think God has a sense of humor)! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence (antinomian). 26 “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (they bend the law to fit their lifestyle). 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous (they quote the dead heroes of the faith, yet attack those who teach true gracetoday), 30 and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 “So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 “Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. 33 “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?

False grace is deadly because it points people to self, not to God alone! Scripture always comes back to the glory of God focus, does it not? If our behavior glorifies Him, it establishes us to stand firm triumphantly in life (ministry) and brings others to glorify God in the day of visitation (missions)!

By the way, the expression at the end of verse 12, in the (no definite article) day of visitation, is important to define? Some scholars consider Peter’s expression to mean the coming of the Lord.[1] Others say the illusion is to the conversion of the lost whereby they give glory to God!

There are three facts, from the present context here and elsewhere in Scripture, that prove that the reference is to conversion and not to the second coming of our Lord. First, the phrase, . . . that they may glorify God in the day of visitation . . ., lacks the definite article, the! No definite article, the, comes before the expression, in the day of visitation; it is just in a day of visitation. So, clearly, Peter, in our text, is not referring to the second coming of Christ. Second, as Thomas Schreiner wrote, “. . . . Typically, in the New Testament, people glorify God or give Him glory by believing:”[2]

Acts 13:48—48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Romans 4:18-20—18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he [Abram] did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God . . .

2 Thessalonians 3:1—1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you . . .

Third, and finally, notice the expression that they may glorify God in the day of visitation. Peter would not say that people may glorify God at Christ’s second coming. Why? Well, because the Scriptures teach us, in Romans 14:11, for it is written, “As I live, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW (Future Active Indicative) TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE (Future Active Indicative) PRAISE TO GOD.” That everyone will bow and give praise to God at His second coming is not in doubt! So, when the subjunctive mood is used, it indicates a reference to conversion or evangelism.[3]

So, Peter exhorts them, then, amid the storm of trials and persecutions, to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God by exhibiting God-glorifying excellent behavior (D. T.). Notice, in this section (2:11-5:11), Peter calls for God-glorifying excellent behavior regarding five main areas:

· The Civic Life (2:13-17)

· The Work Life (2:18-25)

· The Home Life (3:1-7)

· The Blessed Life (3:8-4:19)

· The Church Life (5:1-11)

Now this command is a supernatural exhortation! How so? Well, namely, to be exhorted to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God for the glory of God, when the birds are singing in a cloudless sky, when everyone is speaking well of us, is a natural thing, but when the fiery trials come, when one wave after the other crashes in upon us, it is quite another thing to stand firm triumphantly. It is during the hardest of times that our most effective witness to Christ is given to the lost. In the darkest of days, the light of the gospel can shine the brightest. We see example after example of this throughout Scripture:

Luke 23:42-43— 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Mark 15:39—39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Acts 4:1-4, 5:14—1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. . . . 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number . . .

Acts 5:40, 6:7— 40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. . . . . . . . 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Tertullian[4] and later Augustine of Hippo both attested to the fact that “. . . the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”[5] The bottom line is that people determine whether what we profess is real or not, in those difficult times! So, let us consider Peter’s instruction here to understand how we are to keep our behavior excellent amidst the waves of life so that we bring others to glorify Him (D. T.)!

D. The Reading of the Text

Please stand for the reading of the Word. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11-12,

11 Beloved, I urge you (Present Active Indicative) as aliens and strangers to abstain (Present Infinitive) from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent (Present Participle) among the Gentiles [nations], so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may (Aorist Subjunctive) because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the a day of visitation.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we are thankful for the grace that was extended to us in and through the work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We ask today that your grace and peace would be multiplied unto us as we face the fiery ordeals that assail us, like the waves crashing upon the shore. Help us oh Lord to keep our behavior excellent among the nationsso that in the thing in which they slander us, they may because of our good deeds, as they observe them, glorify You in the day of visitation! We ask these things in the name of Christ, Amen.

What do we have here in 2:11-12? How does it fit into this larger section of 2:11-5:11?

The answer is that it serves as the introduction to the section. Wayne Grudem wrote in his commentary on 1 Peter,

. . . verses 11 to 12 form a brief prologue to the second half of the letter and in fact state in summary form what Peter will explain in detail in 2:13–5:11: Christians living in an unbelieving society must . . . maintain exemplary patterns of life, so that unbelievers will be saved and God [will be] glorified. There is no reason to doubt that such a strategy for evangelism would still work today (emphasis is mine).[6]

Let us consider carefully, in 2:11-12, Peter’s exhortation to understand what is necessary in maintaining God-glorifying excellent behavior so that the lost might glorify God in the day of visitation (D. T.)! By the way, Peter’s goal is my goal today, namely, to help us all understand what is necessary in maintaining God-glorifying excellent behavior so that the lost might glorify God in the day of visitation (M. T.). What does Peter teach us here regarding what is necessary for maintaining God-glorifying behavior so that the lost might glorify God in the day of visitation (K. Q.)? He outlines two necessities (U. W.).

I. GOD-GLORIFYING EXCELLENT BEHAVIOR, IN REACHING THE LOST, NECESSITATES US REMEMBERING THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR STANDING FIRM TRIUMPHANTLY AMIDST THE STORMS OF LIFE.

(1 Peter 2:11-12a)

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles [nations] . . .

Roger Meyer wrote, in an article entitled, When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions, about a high-school teacher who told his students to turn over the sheet laying on each of their desk and to read the instructions to their test carefully. The instructions read: 1) Carefully read all the instructions before beginning the exam; 2) Write your name on the top right corner of the exam; 3) Shout your name out loud to the whole class; 4) Stand up and tell everyone in the classthat you are the leader in this class; 5) Moo like a cow; 6) Only do step #2 and ignore the rest!

What do you suppose happened? The class was filled with loud shouting and barnyard mooing![7]So, let us make sure that we avoid such foolish shenanigans. Let us note carefully the instructions of Peter!

Regarding Peter’s instruction on how to live a God-glorifying excellent life, there are four aspects to note. In the first part of verse 11, we note the sympathy of Peter’s instruction, beloved. Another aspect to underscore is the seriousness of the instruction, in the second part of verse 11, namely, I urge you. A third aspect are the subjects of the instruction, namely, as aliens and strangers. And, finally, the fourth aspect to note is the substance of the instruction, to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles [nations]. . . .

A. The Sympathy of the Instruction that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior.

(Philippians 2:11a)

11 Beloved (Ἀγαπητοί) . . .

While one might think it tedious, unnecessary, and, even, a waste of time to focus on this opening term, beloved (Ἀγαπητοί, pronounced ahgu-pay-toy), nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, one may go so far as to say, if you skip this term and the truth in it, one cannot truly produce God-glorifying excellent behavior. Why is this term, Ἀγαπητοί, so important?

Karen Jobe, in her commentary on 1 Peter, perceptively noted,

Peter begins the exhortations of his letter by addressing his readers as “dear friends” (ἀγαπητοί, agapētoi), before he begins his difficult instructions about how they are to live in relationship to unbelievers within their society. Though they may be estranged from their neighbors because of their faith in Christ, he reminds them that they have his apostolic affection.[8]

Jobe’s interpretation is correct; they do indeed have Peter’s apostolic affection with one addendum, namely, if we are to live a God-glorifying life, it is important to remember that God’s affection, as expressed through the writing of the apostle Peter, is upon us! As SimonKistemaker, in The New Testament Commentary series, wrote,

The term beloved,in the Greek, accentuates two aspects: first, the passive implies that the recipients are loved by God and by the writer of this epistle. And second, the term reveals not only what is taking place, but also what must occur. In other words, the term conveys a sense of obligation (Kistemaker’s last phrase, a sense of obligation, does not express well what the term belovedmeans as we shall see below in the Words of Warren Wiersbe).[9]

In short, if we are to express God-glorifying behavior, it is vital to remember that we are loved by God! When we know God loves us, even more than we love ourselves, and desires our good, then we are more inclined to give ear to His instruction!

Knowing that a relationship of love exists between us and God is at the core of producing the kind of God-glorifying behavior that brings others to glorify God in the day of visitation.

Warren Wendall Wiersbe, in his commentary entitled, Be Hopeful: How To Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times, noted, “There is something deeper than obedience out of duty, and that is obedience because of devotion (emphasis is mine).”[10] True evangelism does not grow out of the soil of dutiful obedience, but devoted obedience!!!!!!! Reaching the nations for Christ all starts with remembering God’s love for us and expressing that good will, that same love, toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, and toward the lost world (T. P.)! When we remember the love God displayed to us in Christ, we are better able to express patience and keep our behavior excellent before others!

How often does this principle find expression throughout the Scriptures? Continually, Scripture highlights that this excellent attitude of behavior, that Peter beseeches believers to have and that brings glory to God, comes out of love:

Luke 10:25-37—25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher,what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

In an article entitled Love Is the Greatest Motivation for Evangelism, the author wrote, “. . . showing love to those whom we consider our enemy, or rather, to those who consider us their enemy is at the center of Jesus’ teaching [about evangelism]. Admittedly, this goes against the ‘natural’ instincts. . . . As natural as it may feel to seek retribution and vengeance, [such actions] will only inspire the same feelings in the person in whom you sought to punish for their wrongdoing against you. This does not excuse injustice nor am I advocating that crimes go unpunished. That would simply be irresponsible. The law of man must be administered fairly, objectively, and proportionately. Justice must be administered. . . . However, what I am talking about here is the ability to love one’s enemies with or without the application of human law when one has been transgressed. This is a higher expression of virtue, and it mirrors the very nature of God. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were [yet] sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).”[11]Peter, in our text is reminding his readers and us today of the love we received and beseeching us to do the same when greatly provoked!

We all watched with horror, being appalled, at the senseless beating of Tyre Nichols by the Memphis Police Department personnel. As I watched the video, I tried to imagine how I would respond to watching my son, Zach, beaten to death like that, while crying out for his parents, by those who are sworn to serve and protect. And I want to make it clear I am not lumping all policemen together as bad; that certainly is not true.

The point is, how we would respond, if that was our child? In situations like this, the fleshly desires wage war against the soul, do they not? How, in the world, could we respond in love and witness to them in love?

Well, our text is telling us! We must remember God’s love for us. How does that help? Our Father sent His only begotten Son to deliver us, did He not? We, all of humanity, beat Him, scourged Him, put a crown of thorns on His head, spat in His face, mocked Him when He cried out to His Father, and nailed Him to a cruel cross. Now that is appalling, is it not? Ah ha, we did not see ourselves in those who beat Tyre Nichols to death, did we? We are appalled as well as we should be at what took place, but our sin is infinitely worse for Christ was sinless. He was perfect love incarnate, the precious only begotten Son of God. Our sins nailed Him to the cross!

And how did His Father respond? But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were [yet] sinners, Christ died for us! Now that is supernatural love, Ἀγαπητοί! This love is what we are to express to our fellowman! And I must admit that I am an unworthy vessel to preach this truth! God help me and all of us to keep our behavior excellent and demonstrate this kind of love because it glorifies Him and

brings others to do likewise.

John 15:13—13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. Love is at the very heart of evangelism! Are we willing to give our lives for the cause of the gospel?

Ephesians 4:14-15—14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ . . .

In Ephesians 4:15, where the expression, speak the truth in love, is found, it refers to how we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are to speak to one another in the context of the waves and winds of life. You might wonder, how, then, does this help with evangelizing the lost? The answer is found in John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. You see, they watch, not just how we treat them, but how we treat each other! I never cease to be amazed at how too often, in the church, we shoot our wounded! The only way that we do so, is that we have forgotten God’s love (Ἀγαπητοί) for us!

1 Peter 3:14-15—14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Gentleness (πραΰτης) is one element of the fruit of the Spirit as Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. As you know, love begins the list because all the rest flow out of love. So, in essence, one display of love that is vital in evangelism is gentleness because He was gentle with us.

1 John 4:16-19—16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us.

2 Corinthians 5:9-15—9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Loving our lost neighbor is at the center of Jesus’ teaching on evangelism! Peter, in our text, is reminding his readers and us today of the love we received from God and from him and is beseeching us to do the same regarding others! We would all do well to remember that evangelism that glorifies God is impossible without loving obedience to Him, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to others!

T. S.—If we are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, we not only must note the sympathy of the instruction, but also, the . . .

B. The Summons of the Instruction that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior.

(Philippians 2:11b)

. . . I urge you (παρακαλῶ, pronounced pa-rah-kai-low) . . .

This present tense verb translated I urge you, in verse 11, is παρακαλῶ (pronounced pa-rah-kai-low), made up of the preposition, παρα, meaning parallel to or alongside ofand the verb καλέω, meaning, to call. William Arndt, hence, rightly describes its’ meaning as, to ask to come and be present where the speaker is, [to] call to one’s side.[12] Wayne Grudem helps us to gain more understanding to what is meant here by this verb, when he added, “The word (parakaleō) has the sense ‘I strongly urge you; I strongly appeal to you.’”[13] Some scholars translate the verb here as I beseech you, as does the KJV. The Oxford Dictionary defines beseech as asking someone urgently and fervently to do something; [to] implore . . .”

So, God, through Peter, is urgently and fervently summoning believers, as citizens of this world, to come alongside Him in fulfilling the God-glorifying task of evangelism (T. P.).

As Kenneth Samuel Wuest put it, “Think of the love and humility, the infinite condescension of God that stoops to address a creature of His handiwork whom He could command . . .”[14] [with a loving urgent call to join with Him in the mission of evangelism]!

The word picture we see here, because of the expression used by Peter later in this verse, of waging war, is of Peter as a military recruiter, imploring believers to join in the battle for the souls of men. People are losing their eternal soul on this cosmic battlefield; is this not serious business?

Jay Edward Adams, in Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude, in The Christian Counselor’s Commentary, put it well,

“Why do you think that God saved you anyway? Why did He make you part of His church? Primarily for your benefit?” The answer ought to be “Certainly not. I was saved to declare His virtue—the wonders of His amazing light.” Seldom do you get a reply that approximates that one. [Believers] are so often caught up in their own troubles that they forget the prime reason for their salvation. . . . As God’s people, each one has the obligation to witness. How can a saint, defeated, angry, self-centered, etc., even begin to do so? It is his own self-orientation, rather than the orientation that says, “I belong to God,” that is keeping him from it. He must be brought to his senses, to recognize that he (like Israel of old) is failing in his purpose and must quickly do something about it [Emphasis is mine].[15]

Do we not see this same summons to join the battle for the souls of men found throughout Scripture? Repeatedly, Scripture sounds the call to join the battle

Matthew 28:19-20—Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Is this not an urgent call to join in the battle of making disciples? Oh, I know that some say that, in the context, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Yes, He is! But those who use this to excuse themselves from heeding this calling fail to notice what these two verses say. Do they not say that His disciples, Peter, James, and John, and the rest, are to teach their disciples to observe all that Jesus commanded them? So, those whom God saves through their teaching are to witness. As John R. W. Stott once said, “We can no more restrict the command to witness than we can restrict the promise of the Spirit.”[16]

Luke 14:23—In the Parable of the Dinner, Jesus says, “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

The trumpet call has gone forth for us, as believers, to go out into the highways and along the hedges to rescue the perishing! The question is, will we heed the call?

1 Peter 2:9—But you are a CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . .

What is our calling as citizens of this world? Our calling is to witness for Christ! A CHOSEN RACE, is a called out people. We have been called out to proclaim His excellencies!

Jude 20-23— 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

Who will go (Isaiah 6:8), the Scriptures ask? Who will answer the call to snatch them out of the fire? They are under the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), he has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4), the strong-man armed has taken hostages (Luke 10:14-23), who will put on the armor of God and take up arms, the sword of the Spirit, and answer the call to rescue the perishing?

Frances Jane Crosby, better known as Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), answered the call being blind from six-weeks forward due to an improper treatment of an eye infection. In 1869, Crosby was inspired to write “Rescue the Perishing” after she met the men who were housed in a New York City mission. She was concerned about their spiritual well-being and earnestly plead with the men that if there was someone “who had wandered from his mother’s home and teaching,” to please come and see her at the end of the service.

A young man came up to Fanny Crosby and said that he would like to see his mother in heaven, but according to the way he was living his life, he was convinced it was not possible. After ardent prayer with Fanny and everyone attending the service, he accepted God’s justifying grace. That night, when Fanny went home, history records that she wrote these words:[17]

Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. Though they are slighting Him, Still He is waiting, Waiting the penitent child to receive; Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently. He will forgive if they only believe.

Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing,

Duty [Devotion, my emphasis] demands it; Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide; Back to the narrow way patiently win them; Tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died.

Refrain:

Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.[18]

Rescue the perishing, devotion demands it; strength for Thy labor, the Lord will provide;

back to the narrow way, patiently win them; tell the poor wanderer, a Savior has died! Tell them, church, Jesus paid it all, all to Him we owe; sin had left a crimson stain, but He has washed it white as snow!

T. S.—If we are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, we not only must note the sympathy of the instruction, the summons of the instruction, but also, the . . .

C. The Subjects of the Instruction that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior.

(Philippians 2:11c)

. . . as aliens and strangers . . .

Peter employs a simile, as, using two Greek terms to describe how we are to relate to the world if our lives are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, namely, as aliens (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous) and as strangers (παρεπιδήμους, pronounced pah-rah-pee-deh-moose). Some well-respected and sincere scholars consider these two terms as synonymous, there being no need to distinguish between them.[19]

Before, we go on to consider these two terms individually, please, if you will, be patient with me for a moment or two and let me put on my professor’s hat and explain why such commonly accepted thinking is injurious in interpreting the Word properly. Indeed, it is not saying too much to say that such loose handling of God’s Word is injurious to the furtherance of the gospel!

God is not like us in using careless, unnecessary words. In Matthew 12:36, Jesus teaches that . . . every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. The Lord is not like us in that He has filler words that are put there stylistically.

Repeatedly, we find this emphasis in the Word of God:

Matthew 4:4—But He answered and said, “It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD [Emphasis is mine].

Using the metaphor of bread, Jesus teaches us that every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God has sustenance in it for life and godliness; it has specific nutritional value for us.

So, what Jesus is teaching us here is that nothing in God’s Word is a filler, fluff and puff, if you will. Everything in the Word of God has nutritional value as the next verse we are to consider highlights!

Matthew 5:16-19—16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments,and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Notice that the context in Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount, is the same as in the passage we are considering in 1 Peter. Both passages deal with behavior that brings others to glorify God.

And what does Jesus teach us here about the Word of God? He teaches us that not even the smallest stroke, not even the smallest letter or stroke, not even a diagonal stroke in a Q, will pass away until all is accomplished. In short, every portion of the Word of God has a purpose and a reason for being placed in God’s Word. In addition, He teaches us that the teacher who annuls a portion of God’s Word by making it insignificant shall be called least in the kingdom of God!

We do not need to get our hermeneutical or interpretive rules from a book, but from the Book! And two of the main hermeneutical rules of the Book are as follows: First, if we are rightly dividing the Word of Truth, we must remember that this Book is about Him (Luke 24:25-27). This book is glory of God focused! When we start with ourselves in interpreting this book, we are on the broad path called eisegesis, not exegesis. Second, this book, as we have just seen, does not have small letters or strokes that do not have significance. This book, the Bible, does not have words added for form and style purposes. Every word has meaning and substance that is completely necessary, no fillers. Does it not, then, stand to reason that when we ignore whole words, not just strokes or letters, we do so at our own peril, and we relegate others, that we train to do so, to be least in the kingdom?

Now, with that in mind, let us note these two words. Peter uses two Greek terms to describe to us the relationship that we must have to this world if we are to bring others to glorify God in the day of visitation!

1. The Subjects that Produce God-Glorifying Excellent Behavior Relate to the World as Aliens.

(1 Peter 2:11c-1)

. . . as aliens (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous) . . .

The Greek term, aliens (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous), is made up of the preposition, παρα, meaning alongside of and, οἶκος, a household. Hence, [interpreters] variously translate the word, aliens, strangers, or, perhaps, sojourners in a foreign country. If you will, we are in the world, alongside of it, but not of it!

We can get further insight into the meaning of the word, aliens, by noting how the N. T. writers employ it in Scripture elsewhere. By considering how the term aliens occurs in various contexts, we can better develop the proper meaning:

Acts 7:6—6 “But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous) in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.

What we notice here, in Acts 7:6, is that an alien is a person who is viewed as a foreigner. The world thinks of an alien, as someone who is different from them. And because of this, the citizens of this world look with disdain upon them. The people of the foreign land have ill-will toward them.

Acts 7:29—29 “At this remark, Moses fled and became an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

Here in verse 29, the word, alien (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous), once again, carries with it the idea of a foreigner. Moses lives in Midian if you will, as a fugitive, being pursued with ill-will and is seen as an outsider. Someone who is different!

Ephesians 2:19—19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens (παροίκους, pronounced pah-roy-kous), but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household . . .

Here, in Ephesians 2:19, we see the perspective of an alien, not so much from how the world’s perspective, but how we are to view ourselves as citizens of heaven and of God’s household. The world is not our home, heaven is our home!

So, now, that we have looked at this word’s usage in the Scriptures, what can we say that it means? In short, it means that if we are to reach the world for Christ, if we are going to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior in those around and about us, those whom we live alongside of, we will never do so by becoming like the world! This truth is the timeless principle that we glean from this term, alien (T. P.). The significance of this word, in producing God-glorifying excellent behavior, is that the world should view us as foreigners, as different from this world. We must not be like the world!

Repeatedly, the Scriptures highlight the importance of separateness/difference in reaching the lost:

John 17:15-21— 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Romans 12:1-2, 20-21—I urge you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship [God-glorifying behavior]. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. . . . ‘BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20— 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.

1 Peter 2:9— 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

In direct contradiction to this, what is the strategy being employed in many churches today? Is it not that we need to be like the world to reach the world? The philosophy set forth is that if the world just realized that we are not much different from them, they would be more inclined to visit the church and join the church. Hence, churches adopted a seeker friendly approach to outreach. In defense of this approach, they refer to verses like 1 Corinthians 9:19-22,

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

Paul is not telling us that we must be like the world to reach the world! David Dickson (1583-1662), a Scottish puritan theologian and preacher, gave wonderful insight regarding this passage, in 1 Corinthians 9, that I will paraphrase:

The context here in 1 Corinthians 9 is that, Paul chose to deny himself what he was entitled to by not seeking financial support for his ministry. . . . He chose to ‘make the gospel of Christ without charge’ (v. 18). If he had sought financial support, those who opposed him would have used it against him and he would have ‘abused the gospel’ (v. 18) and ‘abused his liberty.’

Paul has a liberty (v. 19) but he is willing to give up his personal benefit if it gets in the way of spiritual service to others. He is willing to do this in ‘all sorts of things that are indifferent(this is not a sin issue)’ so as not to serve ‘himself but rather others so that he might gain them.’ There are three ways in which he gave up his entitlements in this way (v. 20-22):

· Jews—He conformed himself to the Jews who considered themselves bound to keep the ceremonial law. [For example, in Acts 16, Paul encourages Timothy to be circumcised to remove a hindrance of ministering in the synagogues]. If necessary, in particular times and places, he was willing to observe the ceremonies appointed under Moses. He did this as though he was under the yoke of ceremonies. He did this according to the verdict of the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-29) which left the Jews (such as Paul) who had been born under that yoke free to use the ceremonies for a time. . . .

· Gentiles—When amongst the Gentiles who were without obligation to the ceremonial law, he laid aside the use of such ceremonies, as though he was without obligation to that law. He makes it clear, however, that he did not mean the moral law or the law of love. This is the perpetual law of God and Christ, from which he could not be freed. . . .

· Weak Believers—Paul conformed himself to those who doubted whether they were free to abstain from lawful things. [In 1 Corinthians 8:13, Paul says, Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble].

It should be clear that Paul is not speaking about a positive requirement to adopt a culture but rather in relation to whether certain practices are positively commanded by God or indifferent. He is speaking about personal conduct rather than providing a full-blown missionary strategy or church planting methodology.[20]

If we remember this and live accordingly, we will produce God-glorifying behavior. If not, we will be like Lot, as John Phillips described, and I paraphrase:

Lot failed in this regard. “He was a believer and a righteous man (2 Peter2:7–8), but [he compromised with the world]. . . . He “pitched his tent towardSodom,” moved into Sodom, built a house in Sodom, and became a legislator of Sodom, sworn to uphold laws that legalized a perverted lifestyle. In the end, he lost almost everything in Sodom. He was “saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). The last time we see him in the Old Testament, he is drunk and dishonored.[21]

Do we relate to the world like an alien or are we becoming like the world?

Are we more like Abraham or like Lot, in that regard? Do people think of us as different? Or would they say we fit right into this world? If we are to produce God-glorifying behavior, our life should lead the world to say, in effect, you are not from around here, are you?

What does it mean to live as an alieN Resident in the world? What should be true of us?

1. Do we feel at home in the world and does the world feel at home with us?

Do our lost friends think we fit right in with them? Does our lifestyle

make them feel uncomfortable?

2. Do our customs differ from the world around us?

Do we dress any different than the world? Are we immodest in our dress so that they see no difference in us? Would we consider it perverted to expose ourselves to others? If a man exposed himself to someone purposefully, would we consider that perverted? Yes! Vice-versa, if a woman exposes herself, do we, likewise, think it is perverted or do we have a double-standard like the world?

Do we subject our eyes to what the world allows? The world has a rating system: G, PG, PG-13, R, Mature Audiences, X-Rated. Is our rating system, as to what we watch and what we consider proper, the same as the world? Is there a difference?

3. Does our language seem foreign to those around us?

Does our language seem foreign to them? Or do we use the same kind of

language as the world does? Do we take part in coarse jesting (Ephesians 5:4)? Do we join in with the latest piece of gossip, slander, lying, and innuendo with our friends and on social media? Is there a difference that is noticeable in our speech?

4. Do we feel an attraction to those who are like-mind in Christ?

With what crowd, do we feel more like-minded? Do we find ourselves in agreement with the general philosophy of the world? Do we find ourselves agreeing with the talking heads on T. V., in the sitcoms, and on social media or do we think, the world has gone insane?

5. Do we long for the world to come?

Do we think to ourselves, this world is not my home? Do we think I am just a visitor here? Do we groan, like the creation (Romans 8:22), for the coming of Christ? Or do we think that Christ’s coming is a scary thought?

To bring others to glorify God in the day of visitation, we, as believers, must relate to the world as aliens. We are to be different than the world!

2. The Subjects that Produce God-Glorifying Excellent Behavior Relate to the World as Strangers.

(1 Peter 2:11c-2)

. . . as strangers (παρεπιδήμους, pronounced pah-rah-pee-deh-moose) . . .

The Greek term, παρεπιδήμους, is made up of παρα, alongside of, επι, upon or among (see among the nations in verse 12), and δεμος, meaning people of a heathen city (village, a city). So, the word describes the recipients as Christians who have settled among [upon, emphasis is mine] the people of a heathen city.[22]

What is the difference, then, between the term aliens and the term strangers? The term strangers emphasizes that we must be upon or among the heathen, the world. In other words, we will never make a difference in this world if we are not upon and around the world (T. P.)!

Do you see how this term, strangers, guards against the extreme that could result from the first term, aliens? The first term emphasizes that we must not be of the world; we must be separate! The tendency, the danger that can result is to separate ourselves completely from the world. So, Peter follows up with the term strangers.

Being separate or different does not mean that we are to live a monastic lifestyle! Too often the church has adopted a wrong view of what it means to be separate. And, by the way, we do not have to build a monastery to live like monks.

When we persistently and proactively plan to avoid being around the world, we have adopted a monastic lifestyle. The lost have to see our behavior for it to do them any good!

Certainly, this principle for evangelismis set forth constantly in the Scriptures:

Matthew 5:13-16— 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

They have to see our good works to glorify our Father who is in heaven. If the salt is to do any good, it has to be upon them. The salt is useless to have an effect if it stays in the saltshaker! Changing the metaphor, as Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount, the light has no effect in the world, if it is hidden under a basket!

Matthew 9:9-13—9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 10 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Hebrews 11:13—13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

1 Peter 1:1—1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who resideas aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen . . .

The lyrics of a song by Casting Crowns, entitled Jesus, Friend of Sinners expresses what Peter was emphasizing here:

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away We cut down people in Your name, but the sword was never ours to swing (Romans 12:19) Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth’s become so hard to see The world is on their way to You, but they’re trippin’ over me Always lookin’ around, but never lookin’ up, I’m so double minded A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who’s writing in the sandMade the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands Help us to remember we are all the least of these Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against when we judge the wounded What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines and love like You did?

Chorus:

Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers Oh, let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.[23]

How are we to relate to this world to produce God-glorifying behavior? We must be in the world, but not of it so that they may see our good works and glorify God in the day of visitation! We must reach out with open hearts and open doors!

T. S.— If we are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, we not only must note the sympathy of the instruction, the seriousness of the instruction, the subjects of the instruction, but also, . . .

D. The Substance of the Instruction that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior.

(Philippians 2:11d-12a)

. . . to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles [nations] . . .

Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899) said, “I have more trouble with D. L. Moody than with any man I know.”[24] Can you relate to Moody? I know I can. My biggest problem is me!

If we are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, Peter teaches us here, we need a love of God and others, take seriously the call to evangelism, be in the world, but not of it, and we must get ourselves right! “In order to maintain a lifestyle that [is] both pleasing to Christ and appealing to unbelievers, we must win the war within, to paraphrase Jay Edward Adams.”[25]

How are we to win the war within, you may ask? Well, the substance of Peter’s instruction here is like a coin, it is one instruction with two sides, a negative side (2:11d) and a positive side (2:11e).

1. The Substance that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior Consists of a Negative Side.

(1 Peter 2:11d)

. . . to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul . . .

The present middle infinitive verbtranslated abstain is the Greek verb, ἀπέχω (pronounced ah-peh-ho). This verb consists of the preposition, ἀπ, meaning from and the verb, έχω, to have or keep. So, taken together, it means to keep from. Since, it is in themiddle voice, it means to keep yourself from. The verb is variously translated in the New Testament:

Seal’s paraphrase of this infinitive verb would be that, as believers, we are to put a Derrick Henry stiff arm on fleshly lusts. We are to keep ourselves a long way off from fleshly lusts, to keep our distance from them (New Alabama Seal’s Translation, NAST:)!

So, what does Peter mean here by fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul? To paraphrase John Phillips,

The word translated “lusts” refers to our cravings and strong desires, which can be good or bad. . . . The word translated “war” here is strateuomai, from stratos, the word for an encamped army. . . . The picture that Peter paints is that of the flesh carrying on a sustained military campaign against the believer’s soul. We cannot, of course, lose our salvation, but we can live defeated, even disgraceful, lives if we do not appropriate the various means of victory over the flesh set forth in the New Testament.[26]

Peter knew this first-hand, did he not? Listen to what we read in John 18:1-11:

1When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Peter’s fleshly desire was, like an encamped army, waiting to strike at a moments notice. In this case, the moment was a fiery ordeal in the form of Judas and the Roman cohort. Peter’s desire was to keep the Roman cohort from taking captive the Lord Jesus. In and of itself, this desire was not an evil desire. But Peter did not act in accord with Scripture and sought to take things into his own hands. He drew his sword to remove the head of Malchus, as though God incarnate could not handle the situation. He got in the flesh if you will! The result was that Malchus ducked and instead of removing his head, Peter removed his ear. Peter’s action, getting in the flesh, would have, in fact, hindered God’s plan of salvation. Jesus makes this point to Peter when He says, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

The adverb, fleshly, which modifies lusts, as Phillips rightly pointed out, is neutral, the lust can be good or bad. We all have fleshly desires for food, for sex, for conversation/fellowship, for being entertained or for rest and relaxation. Even, as Karen Jobe, rightly noted “. . . fleshly desires certainly include the desire to be accepted by society . . .[27]

Concerning this desire to be accepted by society, Edward Estlin Cummings (1894-1962), an American poet, wrote in a letter, “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”[28]

And I might add, it is an impossible task if you try it apart from Christ! All these desires, in and of themselves, are not sinful. When you think of fleshly desires, then, the ones which Peter exhorts us to keep at arm’s length, it does not just refer to sinful desires in and of themselves. Certainly, it includes sinful desires, but not to just that.

So, if we allow the fleshly desire, the desire to be accepted by our peers, our society, our friends to wage war against us, we let down our guard, if you will, and it wins the battle and we make decisions based on what pleases men, what pleases the crowd, we sin! As Paul puts it in Galatians 1:10, For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

We sin and this hinders our witness for Christ! To cut to the chase, for most of us, it is not the desires that are out and out sinful that we must set a guard to watch out for, it is those desires that, in and of themselves, are not sinful that we must watch out for! There is nothing wrong with having fellowship and conversations with others. That desire is proper! But when we let our guard down, that desire can become sin, when coupled with the desire to be liked and to fit in, we use the tongue to lie about, to flatter, and to slander others, then it is sin!

Or, again, consider the desire for food. There is nothing wrong with eating food In and of itself, right? You might be wondering, how could food hinder God-glorifying behavior, how could food hinder bringing others to Christ? Well, I am glad you asked. We dealt earlier with the wrong interpretation of I Corinthians 9, now, let me give the right application of it. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:20, 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law.

A part of what that means is that Paul would not seek to win a Jewish person by serving him pork. Paul would restrain his freedom to eat bacon so that he might remove any hindrance to the gospel with them.

Bringing it a little closer home, we all get hungry around noon, do we not? So, we plan on Sunday morning and put the roast in the crock pot, timing it so that it will be ready at noonish with all of its tender goodness with those roasted potatoes, cream corn, hot peppers, tomatoes, with sweet rolls or Mexican cornbread and all the wonderful smelling sides, not to mention desserts.

However, the preacher is somehow not in on the program that we planned and is enthralled with his text and with preaching Christ! He obviously is not getting the memo that we are sending with our body language (fidgeting, looking at our iPhone to see the time, looking down, shaking our heads, etc.). He is beside himself with excitement with the Word of God and the God of the Word and preaching like there is no more tomorrow, or, in this case, he does not know that the roast is ready at noon, and it is past noon!

Our desire to eat at noon is not sinful; but it has now encamped to wage war against the soul! Instead of giving this desire a Derrick Henry stiff arm and pushing it away, we let down our guard against this encamped desire and we allow it to win. As Jesus describes in Matthew 13:22, 22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

In other words, you do not benefit from the Word that day, it is choked out by the desire for food! So, you get up and act in the flesh, leaving the service during the preacher’s appeal to apply the Word. Your boldness, led by your growling stomach and your grouchy demeanor, lead you to get up and leave at the end of the message influencing others to follow suit and leave in droves! A lost person seeing this behavior, though under conviction, becomes distracted and the message is choked out. Certainly, he might reason that what is being said from the Word is not that important to the members of the church. And if it is not that important to them, it surely should not be taken seriously by him/her. Not to mention what the sin begins to do in us! Sin brings us to live a disgraceful life that dishonors Christ and does not produce God-glorifying behavior. We need to push away from the table of sinful lusts!

T. S.—So, that is the negative side of the instruction to note if we are to produce God-glorifying excellent behavior, we must win the war from withinand abstain from fleshly lusts! But there is another side of the instruction that we need to note, we need to note the positive side of Peter’s instruction.

2. The Substance that Produces God-glorifying Excellent Behavior Consists of a Positive Side.

(1 Peter 2:12a)

12 Keep (present participle) your behavior excellent among the Gentiles [nations] . . .

Before we begin to consider the text, let me address the translation of the term Gentiles. The Greek term for Gentilesis ἔθνος from which we derive our word, ethnicity. This same term Peter uses three verses earlier in verse 9, where we read, But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION (ἔθνος) . . . There you see, it is translated NATION! I would contend that a more consistent translation would be to translate it as nations in verse 12.

Why would the translators translate the same root word as nations in verse 9 and

as Gentiles in verse 12? The answer is that the translators held that Peter, the apostle to the Jews, was writing mainly to Jewish believers. The problem with that is that they failed to consider that Peter was ministering to the churches that Paul established after his execution.[29]Nonetheless, the better translation of this passage is to translate the term consistently as nations. Although, in other contexts, it may be translated Gentiles. Having addressed the translation issue, let us look at the text itself. To keep our behavior excellent (καλός), we must, first, win the war within. Peter’s ordering here is not incidental. In short, first, we must die to self, then, we must live for Christ, keeping our behavior excellent among the Gentiles. The term translated excellent (καλός, pronounced cal-low-s) refers to both an inward and outward excellence in behavior. In Luke 6:43, Jesus teaches, 43 “For there is no good (καλός) tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good (καλός) fruit. When Jesus refers to good or excellent (καλός), it refers to both the nature of the tree as well as the fruit of the tree!

So, excellent behavior is an act done with the right attitude! You will remember that in Philippians Paul talked about those who preach Christ from envy rather than good will (Philippians 1:15). That is the opposite of how we are to act if our behavior is God-glorifying and leads the lost to glorify God in the day of visitation!

The Bible highlights the importance of glorifying God with excellence in telling others about Christ:

Daniel 6:3 (Excellence of Heart)—3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary [excellent, above and beyond] spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.

Daniel had a spirit that was always seeking to go above and beyond, if you will. Excellent behavior is behavior like that described by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:38-48, 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:16 (Excellence in Works)—16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good (καλός) works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The world needs to see that our life is not just words, but we live it out before them. They need to see the gospel lived out! And, by the way, when preaching or in life, the truth remains the same and that is that our works should not bring people to talk about us, but to glorify Him!

Philippians 4:8 (Excellence in Thought)—8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence (καλός) and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, have we sought to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? To live excellent, we must dwell on excellent things!

Romans 12:1-2 (Excellence in Worship)—1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good (καλός) and acceptable and perfect.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus states that “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Excellent behavior means that we are to worship in spirit and in Truth!

Hebrews 13:18 (Excellence in Conscience)—18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good (καλός) conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

A clear conscience is a part of excellent (καλός) behavior. What does having a clear conscience mean? Well, look at the defining participial phrase, namely, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. Can we look in the mirror and say I did, as far as I know, follow the instruction of the Word of God in whatever matter it was?

1 Timothy 6:12 (Excellence in Fighting)—12 Fight the good (καλός) fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Excellent behavior means we do not war after the flesh! We do not depend on our own ingenuity, but upon the power of the Spirit through the Word of God to win others to Christ!

Titus 2:7 (Excellence in Doctrine)—7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good (καλός) deeds, with purity in doctrine . . .

Excellent behavior includes excellence in doctrine. We must seek to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

If we are to produce God-glorifying behavior, it requires excellence (καλός)! Someone has well said, Excellent is not being the best; it is doing your best. And doing our best is seeking to live out the Word of God. As the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 19:13-14, 13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me. . . 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. So, let us keep our behavior excellent so that they may glorify God in the day of visitation!

T. S.—God-glorifying excellent behavior that reaches the lost not only necessitates us remembering, amid the storms of life, the instructions (lovingly, seriously, separately but relationally, and excellently) for standing firm triumphantly, but also, . . .

II. GOD-GLORIFYING EXCELLENTBEHAVIOR IN REACHING THE LOST NECESSITATES REMEMBERING THE INCENTIVES FOR STANDING FIRM TRIUMPHANTLY AMID THE STORM.

(1 Peter 2:12b)

12 . . . so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Peter provides us with three incentivesfor God-glorifying excellent behavior. To put it simply, they are exoneration (2:12b-1), exemplification (2:12b-2), and exaltation (2:12b-3).

A. God-glorifying Excellent Behavior that Reaches the Lost Necessitates Remembering the Incentive of Exoneration.

(1 Peter 2:12b-1)

12. . . so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers . . . glorify God in the day of visitation.

Peter teaches us here that God-glorifying excellent behavior exonerates us and is an important means of bringing the lost to glorify God in the day of visitation. Where is that in the text, you might ask? Look, in verse 12, at the verb, they slander you as evildoers. Inherent, in that expression, is that Peter intends that the saint’s excellent behavior is to demonstrate that the world’s slander is without warrant(T. P.). Robert Leighton (1611-1684) a Scottish Presbyterian minister, astutely wrote, . . . the way to silence them, we see, is by well doing; that silences them more than whole volumes of apologies. When a Christian walks irreprovably, his enemies have nowhere to fasten their teeth on him but are forced to gnaw their own malignant tongues. As it secures the godly, thus, to stop the lying mouths of foolish men, so it is as painful to them to be thus stopped, as muzzling is to beasts, and it punishes their malice.

And this is a wise Christian’s way, instead of impatiently fretting at the mistakes or willful mis-censures of men, to keep still on his calm temper of mind, and upright course of life, and silent innocence; this, as a rock, breaks the waves into foam that roar about it.[30]

Various texts underline the part this principle of exoneration through excellent (καλός) behavior plays in bringing others to glorify God in the day of visitation:

Proverbs 25:15—15By forbearancea ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

When we forbear, when we abstain from fleshly lusts, from doing what the flesh would like to do, then it is a great means of persuading others. Such restraint can crush the hardest boneheads!

Proverbs 25:21-22—21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

Here Solomon promises that God will bless or reward us for such excellent behavior. When we feed the hungry enemy, and give water to the thirsty enemy, we have God’s blessing on us!

Romans 12:19-21—19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (καλός).

John MacArthur, Jr. astutely wrote regarding this text, “The admonition do not be overcome by evil has two meanings and applications. First, we must not allow the evil done to us by other people to overcome and overwhelm us. Second, and even more important, we must not allow ourselves to be overcome by our own evil responses. . . .”[31] When we do not allow this and, instead, respond with excellent behavior, the result is that it heaps burning coals on their head, the Holy Spirit uses such behavior to convict them.

The question is, what does this idiom refer? While some claim it refers to shame and remorse, the best evidence is to quote John Calvin that it means “either our enemy will be softened by kindness, or, if he is so ferocious that nothing may assuage him, he will be stung and tormented by the testimony of his conscience, which will feel itself overwhelmed by our kindness.”

To paraphrase William Klassen, in an article entitled Coals of Fire: Sign of Repentance or Revenge, he noted, “three reasons the coals of fire refer to God’s vengeance upon the enemyif he/she does not repent:

1) The grammatical structure of Romans 12:19-21, in their apparent parallelism/inclusion, suggests that it is about judgment:

19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of

God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, says the

Lord. 20BUT IF YOUR ENENMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD.”

2) The consistent imagery with the Old Testament, from which it is drawn, is

about God’s vengeance.

In Psalm 140:9-10, David appeals to God to rescue him from his enemy who sharpen their tongues as a serpent (v. 3a), who have the poison of a viper under their lips (v. 3b), who have purposed to trip my feet, says David (v. 4), and who have set snares for him (v. 5). To them, David cries out to God and says, in verses 9-10, 9As for the head of those who surround me, May the mischief of their lips cover them. 10May burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, Into deep pits from which they cannot rise. . . .

3) These deeds of kindness and of love that are to be expressed to our enemies consistently have, in the New Testament, a warning of God’s vengeance attached to them, when that kindness is spurned.[32]

In Romans 2:4-5, Paul writes, 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrathfor yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God . . . Or, again, consider 2 Peter 3:8-10, 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

So, why should we be encouraged to keep our behavior excellent. Peter says the weight of judgment that it will unleash on them will be the best means of bringing them to glorify God in the day of visitation! And, we shall have the favor of God upon us now, and, in the end, we will be ultimately exonerated before God!

T. S.—We ought to be encouraged to keep our behavior excellent not only because it exonerates us and God, but also because . . .

B. God-glorifying Excellent Behavior that Reaches the Lost Necessitates Remembering the Incentive of Exemplification.

(1 Peter 2:12b-2)

. . . they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, . . . glorify God in the day of visitation.

Another motivation for keeping our behavior excellent is that God-glorifying behavior exemplifies the gospel! Peter stresses by the phrase, as they observe them, an important principle in evangelism. The principle is that we are not just to proclaim the gospel, but we are to practice the gospel if we are to bring others to glorify God in the day of visitation (T. P.).

The Scriptures frequently highlight the importance of this principle of exemplification in evangelism:

Galatians 6:9-10—9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

1 Timothy 4:11-16—11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Titus 3:6-10— 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Why keep our behavior excellent? Why have God-glorifying behavior? The reason is that exemplification along with proclamation is best fitted to bring the lost to glorify God in the day of visitation!

T. S.—We ought to be encouraged to keep our behavior excellent not only because it exonerates us and exemplifies the gospel, it adorns the gospel, but also because . . .

C. God-glorifying Excellent Behavior, that Reaches the Lost, Necessitates Remembering the Incentive of Exaltation.

(1 Peter 2:12b-3)

. . .glorify God in the day of visitation.

The ultimate motivation for evangelism, says Peter, is the glory of God, doxology (T. P.)! Too often, evangelism is done to build a following for us, to build a large church! However, Peter teaches us that when we desire His name to be made great and not ours, true evangelism takes place!

If you will, Soli Deo Gloria is the chief motivation for evangelism! The other two motivations, exoneration and exemplification, as previously noted, are to the end that God alone should receive all the glory!

The Word of God highlights this preeminent motivation, Soli Deo Gloria, for evangelism throughout the Scriptures:

Psalm 96:2-10—2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. 3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts. 9 Worship the Lord in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”

The ultimate motivation for evangelism is the Soli Deo Gloria! What is witnessing but telling the nations what a mighty God we serve?

Isaiah 43:10-13, 21—10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11 “I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. 12 “It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And I am God. 13 “Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?”. . . 21 “The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

Once again, what is the primary scriptural motivation for witnessing? Isaiah says, the people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise!

1 Peter 2:9—9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . .

Could anything be put anymore clearer? The motivation for evangelism, the reason God created a people for His own possession, was so that we might proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!

When my children were young, I so wanted them to know God and to glorify Him with

their lives. So, each evening after a short devotion, I used a catechism with them. The word, catechize comes from the Greek term meaning instruction or teaching. Some of you know the first question, what is the chief end of man? Do you remember the answer to that first question in the catechism? My children were taught that the chief end of man was to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!

CONCLUSION

Peter teaches, in 1 Peter 2:10-12, that the way to see the lost brought to Christ is to keep our behavior excellent amidst the waves of life so that we bring others to glorify God in the day of visitation! To paraphrase Grudem, there is no reason to doubt that such a strategy for evangelism would not still work today!

However, if this is to happen, we have to follow God’s instructions given to us by Peter!

First, we must note the sympathy of Peter’s instruction, beloved. Reaching the nations for Christ all starts with remembering God’s love for us and expressing that good will, that same love, toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, and toward the lost world (T. P.)! When we remember the love God displayed to us in Christ, we are better able to express patience and keep our behavior excellent before others!

We must observe the seriousness of the instruction, in the second part of verse 11, namely, I urge you. Who will go (Isaiah 6:8)? Who will answer the call to snatch them out of the fire? The world of lost sinners are under the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), he has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4), the strong-man armed has taken them hostage (Luke 10:14-23), who will put on the armor of God and take up arms, the sword of the Spirit, and answer the call to rescue the perishing? Thirdly, we must note the subjects of the instruction, namely, as aliens and strangers.

The first term emphasizes that we must not be of the world; we must be separate! We can never reach the world by adopting the world into the church! The second term, strangers, emphasizes that while we must not be of the world, we must be in the world to make a difference. The tendency, the danger that can result is to separate ourselves completely from the world. So,

Peter follows up with the term strangers. We need to be in the world, but not of it!

And, finally, we must apply the substance of the instruction, to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles [nations]. . . In short, we must win the war within by giving a Derrick Henry stiff-arm to the fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul and we must keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles.

So, we need to follow the instructions, but also, we need to remember the incentives for God-glorifying behavior. Abstaining from fleshly lusts and keeping our behavior excellent should be done because it is the God-ordained means to bring exoneration, exemplification, and ultimately exaltation, Soli Deo Gloria!

So, let us keep our behavior excellent amidst the waves of life so that we may bring others to glorify Him! May God grant us grace to do this that the lost might be brought to glorify God!

Perhaps, you are here today, and the Spirit has brought conviction through the Word that you are lost or, at least, you are not sure about your salvation. What should you do? I want to encourage to repent, turn from thinking that you can ever have a life good enough to save yourself. Recognize that there is nothing good in us. Only Christ’s life and death is enough to bring justification on that day! Then, I urge you to put your trust in Christ. What does that mean? Well, it means that you commit your life totally to Christ because He is both Savior and Lord. Putting your faith in Jesus Christ means that you are committing everything thing to Him because you have come to see by the work of the Spirit that He is God and worthy of all praise, glory, and honor!

Saints, I challenge you to keep your behavior excellent so that in the day of visitation, our lost friends would look to Christ and be saved. Remember that it is in the worst of days, it is in the fiery ordeals of life that they watch us to observe our behavior. Let us, by the excellence of our behavior, Christ-like behavior, point them to Christ with both our lips and our life!

Critique Notes for Next Time

Ø The key to remember is that Peter is encouraging us to stand firm triumphantly in the true grace (the gospel) under extreme duress in a hostile world! He is giving instructions and incentives for us to do so. It is easy to share the gospel and live exemplary lives or to preach and teach when we are in a welcoming environment, but when people are mocking us, jeering at us, and they are resorting to violence, even deadly violence to stop our witness, how can we respond to the world so that the greatest opportunity is given to them to glorify God in the day of visitation? Peter shows us the most excellent way of living so that they may come to Christ, and not only so, he shows us how to do it with joy by means of these instructions and incentives.

Ø The thought flow should be as follows in this sermon: Remember that the key thought or dominating theme of this text is to keep our behavior excellent so that the lost might glorify God in the day of visitation (come to salvation). With that in mind, the sermon should flow by beginning to talk about that we live in a soap opera world. What is necessary to make a difference in a soap opera world, a world that has gone crazy and is hostile? Peter puts it in this way, stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God (1 Peter 5:12).

However, when we do so, we can expect one wave after another of persecution to hit us. There is nothing Satan hates any more than true grace! The chief danger, at this point, is to compromise our stance in the true grace of God to lessen the onslaught of persecution and instead adopt false grace (explain legalism and antinomianism). When we fall into one or the other of these two ditches (another gospel that is no gospel), the gospel does not advance, and God is not glorified. If we compromise true grace, people will not truly be saved and bring glory to God. False grace is not the true gospel! They will glory in self plus God! And with such a religion of self-worship, the world is satisfied.

So, Peter sets forth the seven-fold strategy to ensure that we stand firm triumphantly in the true grace of God. Recount briefly each until you arrive at the sixth one and talk about this being the text for today. After reading the text, emphasize that God uses how we behave, among other things, to bring the lost to glorify Him. What kind of behavior does God use to bring the lost to glorify Him? Excellent behavior!

Ø Begin the outline of the sermon, the instructions, and the incentives. Remember in the instructions about love that the whole context is an onslaught of persecution. When we tell them of true grace, they will hate it and attack us. In that situation, loving them the way God loved is hard to do, but is vital to remember, if we are be used by God to bring them to glorify God. Evangelism will not take place without remembering how God loved us. Only, then, will we love as we should love.

We must go out after them and join the Lord in the task of evangelism! We must answer the call. We must relate to the world as aliens and strangers, etc. We must not be monastic, but different, but we must also be among them. We cannot win those we avoid!

[1]Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 172. [2]Thomas Robert Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 124. [3]Note the subjunctive mood in Philippians 2:10-11 where the emphasis is on the spread of the gospel or conversion. Paul, like Peter, is emphasizing the purpose of God in dying is the salvation of the lost, but since not all will believe and be saved, the subjunctive mooddenotes that truth. Believers are to keep their behavior excellentthat they may glorify God, but not all will. We see this same emphasis and use of the subjunctive mood in John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that [purpose clause] He gave His only begotten Son that [purpose clause] whoever believes in Him should/may not perish (subjunctive mood) but should/may have (subjunctive mood) eternal life. For those who believe, it is not in doubt, but not all will believe. [4]Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A Cleveland Coxe, eds., “The Apology,” Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian in The Ante-Nicene Fathers: The Writings of the Fathers down to A. D. 325, Vol. 3 (Buffalo, N. Y.: The Christian Literature Publishing Company, 1887), 55. [5]Quentin F. Wesselchmidt, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament Volume 8, Psalms 51-150 (Westmont, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007), 293. [6]Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 125. [7]Roger Meyer, When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions, February 9, 2022, accessed July 8, 2023, https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/when-all-else-fails-read-the-instructions. [8]Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 167. [9]Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude, vol. 16, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 95. [10]Warren Wendall Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 403–404. [11]Street Evangelism: Sharing the Good News of Jesus, “Love Is the Greatest Motivation for Evangelism,” https://www.street-evangelism.com/single-post/love-is-the-motivation-for-christian-evangelism, accessed January 18, 2023. [12]William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 764. [13]Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 122. [14]Kenneth Samuel Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 58. [15]Jay Edward Adams, Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude, The Christian Counselor’s Commentary (Cordova, TN: The Institute for Nouthetic Studies, 2020), 251. [16]John Robert Walmsley Stott, Our Guilty Silence (Westmont, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1967), 58. [17]Carlton Raymond Young. Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1993), 568. [18]Frances Jane Crosby, Rescue the Perishing, Baptist Hymnal (Nashville, TN: Broadman Holman, 2008), 357. [19]Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 119. [20]David Dickson, An Exposition of St. Paul’s Epistles Together with an Explanation of Those Other Epistles of the Apostles, St. James, Peter, John, and Jude: Wherein the Sense of Every Chapter and Verse Is Analytically Unfolded and the Text Enlightened (London: R. I. for Eglesfield, and To Be Sold at the Marygold in St. Paul’s Church-yard, 1659), 54. [21]John Phillips, Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), 1 Pe 2:11. [22]William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 779. [23]Jesus, Friend of Sinners, Matt West and Mark Hall/Casting Crowns, Come to the Well, Reunion Records, 2011. [24]Warren Wendall Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 404. [25]Jay Edward Adams, Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude, The Christian Counselor’s Commentary (Cordova, TN: The Institute for Nouthetic Studies, 2020), 252. [26]John Phillips, Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), 1 Pe 2:11. [27]Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 170. [28]Reply to a letter from a high school editor; published in Ottawa Hills (Grand Rapids, Michigan) High School Spectator, October 26, 1955. From Edward Estlin Cummings: A Micellany. Revised, edited by George James Firmage. Reprinted by permission of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. [29]William Dool Killen, The Ancient Church Its History, Doctrine, Worship, and Constitution, (Kindle Edition: March 24, 2011), 129. [30]Robert Leighton, A Practical Commentary upon the First Epistle General of Peter, vol. 1 (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1864), 353. [31]John F. MacArthur Jr., Romans, vol. 2, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1991), 202. [32]William Klassen, Coals of Fire: Sign of Repentance or Revenge, 200-205.