1 Peter by Ben Foust (2019)

Peter writes to Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire and facing persecution. He urges them to put their hope in their future eternal inheritance. Christians today should have a mindset of being "resident aliens" on earth, whose true citizenship is in heaven, resulting in a refined faith.

Since Christians are now children of God living as "resident aliens" on earth, whose true home is heaven, Peter charges us to be different than the world around us. We should be holy and not conformed, have a reverent fear of the Lord, enjoy freedom from sin, and be generous.

Peter explains that unlike human words, the Word of God (the Bible) is unchanging and enduring, leading us to salvation and bringing about our spiritual growth. Peter urges the reader to long for God's word which, when read regularly, renews the mind, convicts the heart, and nourishes the soul.

Peter uses the metaphor of the temple to describe the proper functioning of the church. The stones represent individual believers, each with their own role, but also working together toward the purpose of proclaiming the excellencies of Christ to the world. The cornerstone is Christ, whom the whole building is built around, but who is also a stumbling block for those who disbelieve.\r\n

Peter advises the church how to respond when being slandered. Rather than retaliate, he tells them to live such good lives that their critics' accusations fall flat and people may come to faith in Christ. Likewise, believers today can show Jesus' love to the world by what we do.

Peter speaks to the relationship between Christian husbands and wives. Today this passage is often controversial, when ideas like submission and obedience are taken out of their literary and historical context. However, when we interpret Peter's writing in light of context we see God's beautiful plan for a healthy marriage relationship, one in which the husband lays down his life as a servant leader and a wife supports and respects her husband. Such marriages can be lights in the darkness in a society that largely fails in the area of marriage.

Peter writes to the early church, which is feeling pressure from the surrounding culture of the Roman Empire. He urges the believers to prioritize love for one another, a fervent love that is rooted in community, sincere, and gracious. This is an important message for today, a time in which people are less connected and more lonely than ever and longing for this kind of community.

Peter seeks to encourage a group of Christians who are undergoing a "fiery ordeal"--persecution for their decision to follow Christ. Peter acknowledges that the will of God may involve suffering, but it will bring us to the purpose that God has created us for--helping reconcile the world to God--and should not be resisted or come as a surprise. We can embrace it with joy, knowing it will refine us and our faith.

Peter instructs elders in the church on how they should lead, particularly in the midst of trials. He gives them 3 "hows" and 1 "why" to keep in mind as they lead, calling on them to shepherd the flock as the Good Shepherd, Jesus, has shepherded them. He tells them to have the mindset that leading is a privilege, offering them the chance to share in Jesus' glory, and to see it not as a way to be over people, but to under them, serving as Jesus does for them.

Paul writes to Christians who are experiencing persecution, raising up the importance of humility--being willing to be "lower." He gives us 5 directions we should "clothe ourselves in humility": under God, toward those "over" us, toward those "under" us, toward one another, and toward God in the specific condition of anxiety.

One of the essential attitudes for enduring what Peter calls the "fiery ordeal"--suffering in the name of Christ--is an awareness of God's enemy, Satan. Peter describes him as a lion, prowling around, looking for someone to devour. Peter says the keys to defeating him are knowing your enemy, being on the alert, and resisting him.

True Christian behavior leads to unusual qualities in our culture--brotherly love, compassion, humility, a love for enemies, and other distinctions?that will prompt people to ?demand an explanation,? sometimes in a hostile way. While this reaction can be difficult, we can be confident that God sees and will take care of us. We should be ready with an ?explanation,? shared with gentleness, that God wants a relationship with everyone, but also that there is ample evidence to put your trust in that.