Confident - Our Identity in Christ (4)

The Results of Understanding Your Identity

1 Peter 2:11-17

Over the last several weeks, we have looked at what 1 Peter 2 has to say about the Christian’s identity, or who we are in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this we have seen...

That we have a new purpose - Lively Stones

That we have a new life principle - Chosen Generation

That we have a new access to God - Royal Priesthood

That we have a new government - Holy Nation

That we have a new owner - Peculiar People

That we have a new praise - Shew forth the praises

But God did not give us these truths to just hide them in our hearts. He gave these truths to us so it could affect the way we live!

In verses 11-17 Peter goes into the results or the affects of understanding your identity.

I. It Affects Our Conduct (v.11)

It Keeps us from Sin

Peter says that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. That means that this world is not our home anymore, we are just passing through.

When we understand who we are and Who we belong to, it should make us feel out of place in this world. It should create a sense of longing for eternity

Romans 8:22–23 “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Our world seems to get crazier and crazier every day, and as this world accepts and tolerates more wickedness each day, we as Christians begin to feel more and more uncomfortable and more out of place.

“Abstain from fleshly lusts” we can only do this if we live as strangers and pilgrims.

Why? Because when we view ourselves as citizens of heaven and strangers here in this world, then the fleshly lusts - which the world encourages you to indulge in - will be less appealing

Why should we abstain from fleshly lusts? because they “war against the soul”.

It is easy to see the physical effects that sin has on a person. Just ask an alcoholic that is dying of liver disease or the sexually immoral person dealing with AIDS or some other STD. But Peter says that even worse is what sin does to the soul! Some may escape the physical effects of sin, but no one escapes the disease and death of the inner man.

Example: When I went to Mexico

I was a stranger/pilgrim. I was only passing through. I wasnt planning on staying long term. I felt out of place because in a sense, i was out of place.

I was told not to drink the water unless it was bottled water. The tap water doesnt get the same kind treatment the water at your house gets, so drinking it could result in getting very sick. I had to “abstain” from something that the locals were used to consuming

My mom years ago took a trip to Mexico and drank the water and she became hospitalized. She didnt “abstain” from the water and as a result it “warred” against her body.

II. It Affects Our Conversation (v. 12)

Not only does it cause you to abstain from sin, but it also causes you to have a good testimony before others.

The word “conversation” in the NT doesnt mean a discussion between 2 people, it means the way you carry yourself around others. Or how you live your life.

The characteristic of the Christian who understands and embraces their identity is that they live “honestly” which in the Greek means “beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy”

Christians should live with honesty and integrity among unbelievers

Why? Because inevitably, unbelievers will “speak against you as evildoers”. They will accuse you of things that are not true, but if they see the honorable way you live your life, they can still be brought to God by your testimony.

Our testimonies are important because they not only represent the Christ that we serve, but they also serve as a witness to the lost. What he is saying in the rest of v. 12 is that our honest living and good works can bring an unbeliever - even one who speaks against you and other Christians - to faith in Christ.

“the day of visitation” refers to judgment day. They could very well see how you live your life and as a result be converted and glorify God in their day of judgment!

I believe this verse also deals with how you treat unbelievers. If God is love and we are His children, then we should show love of Christ to unbelievers and treat them with respect. Sometimes, you have to love someone to Jesus.

Speaking the truth in love

Christians ought not to be known as jerks or rude. Yes, we must stand for truth, but we dont have to necessarily be rude about it.

The Conversion of Paul

Before Paul came to Christ, he was present at the execution of Stephen and possibly even participated in it.

Acts 22:20 “And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.”

No doubt Stephen’s death probably had a profound impact on Paul, for he still thought about it years afterwards.

III. It Affects Our Citizenship (v. 13-15)

Our identity in Christ will affect how we submit to authority, including the government.

This entire epistle was written to Jewish Christians who were facing great oppression, much of which was coming from their own governments. But listen to what he tells these Jewish believers to do

Read 13-15

He tells them that they need to be good citizens and submit themselves to their local governments.

“For the Lord’s Sake” - this is why we submit ourselves to our governments. Since government gets its authority from God, we are bound to obey them - unless of course, they order us to do something in contradiction to God’s Law (Acts 4:19 “ But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”)

Romans 13:1-7 gives the same sentiment. We are to obey government (even if we disagree with them) because government was established by God and those that were put in authority were placed there by God.

This doesnt mean we have to like our politicians or even agree with them, but as long as they are not asking us to directly disobey God or His Word, it is our obligation to obey

“as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers” rulers are sent by “Him” that is “God”. The main purpose of government and why God established it is to punish evildoers and reward the righteous

God created government to act as a “check” upon man’s sinful desires

therefore, the greatest offense that a government can make is to become corrupt and either fail to punish evildoers or reward them.

“For so is the will of God” another reason why we should obey. IT IS GODS WILL to do so! If we want to be in God’s will, we have to do what the Bible says God’s will is!

“that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” Our conduct is a way to defend the gospel. Those who will never read the Bible will read our lives, so it is by doing good we can silence the foolish.

v. 16 - we have liberty in Christ, but we cannot use that liberty as an excuse to live any way we want to. We dont use that liberty to sin, but rather we use it to show the kind of love and respect that Christ expects us to.

You never want the world to be able to accurately accuse us of being bad citizens. Christians ought to be the most cooperative and most submissive citizens in any society.

Conclusion

V. 17 - Peter summarizes all these things in this one verse

Honor all men - show respect to everyone and treat people well

Love the brotherhood - love your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ

Fear God - Obey God, dont live in sin

Honor the king - respect and obey the authorities of our lives, including government.

When we understand out identity in Christ Jesus, it will affect the way we live our every day lives. And it will look different than the rest of the world.