GOD’S PLAN FOR A WOMAN AND A MAN
1 Peter 3:1-7

Dr. Charles Franklin DeVane, Jr., Pastor
Lake Hamilton Baptist Church
Hot Springs, Arkansas

August 25, 2013

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.  Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
-- 1 Peter 3:1-7, ESV


Simon Peter’s life showed tremendous courage in the face of great danger.  It certainly required a great deal of courage for him, a man, to take on the dangerous task of telling women what to do, in general or in a marriage.  His words on wives and husbands parallel Paul’s, another man.  But remember, both Peter and Paul were special men inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words.  They should be studied and taken to heart by any woman or man, married or single, who desires to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

The setting of these verses, like all of the New Testament, was an era when there was no equality whatsoever between the sexes.  It was a firmly patriarchal society in which men ruled.  Women and children were virtually considered as property.  Because of this cultural condition, many (even some with a very high view of Scripture) consider this text outdated and irrelevant.  

I beg to differ, however, and submit that these verses on submission are as relevant today as they have ever been, perhaps even more so.  This is not a man’s plan, nor a culture’s plan, but God’s plan for a woman and a man in Christian marriage.  The fact that the roles described seem so out of date make them stand out as an even bolder witness for Christ in our day and age.

Both the section for wives (vs. 1-6) and husbands (vs. 7) begin with the word “likewise.”  This ties the text into the context which began at 2:13, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.”  Government is a human institution, and Christians are to be submissive to governing bodies even when they are led by corrupt heads like the evil emperor Nero or the incompetent governor Pilate.  Vocation is a human calling and institution.  Christians should submit to their employers, even in a situation as strident and unseemly as slavery.  And marriage is a human institution, and Christians involved in holy matrimony, women and men, must submit first to God and then to one another (ref. Ephesians 5:21) in order to make a marriage bring glory to God and good to all family members involved.  Together, wives and husbands bear the responsibility of making marriage work.  Yet their specific assignments to this end slightly differ.

Wives are Called to “Be Subject”

Christian wives are called to “be subject,” or submissive, or subordinate, to their husbands as if he were superior to them.  Not here nor anywhere else in the Bible does it say that husbands are superior to wives, nor men over women for that matter.  Nero was not superior to Simon Peter (quite the contrary actually), yet Simon Peter was compelled by Jesus Christ to submit to Nero unless Nero’s government ordered Simon Peter to do something that was completely contrary to the will and word of God.  So it is with wives and husbands.  Christian wives are called to let the husband be in charge, or at least think that he is in charge.  

Why?  Because you are never more like Christ than when you are serving someone else.  The combination of strength and submission is meekness, and the meek shall inherit the earth (ref. Matthew 5:5).  Christian womanhood and wifehood gives women the opportunity to display meekness, a definite Christ-like character, that can save a family, strengthen a church, broadcast the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make a home seem like a heaven on earth.  Is it easy?  No, because good and godly things are never easy.  Is it necessary?  Yes, especially when you find yourself married to an unbeliever.

“Do not obey” and do not believe are synonymous in Scripture.  You cannot consider yourself a true believer in Christ if you are not truly obedient to Christ.  Obedience does not save you, but saved people are obedient.  So when a believing wife has a husband who “does not obey,” the way to perhaps win him to Jesus is “without a word.”  A submissive spirit, also synonymous with a Christ-like spirit, is the best witness a believing wife has to influence her unbelieving husband.  In situations where you are this close to someone words too often lead to arguments.  But no husband can argue with a wife who sweetly submits to his needs while at the same time never compromising her faith in Jesus Christ.  

God feels so strongly about this kind of character that He stresses it should be the Christian wives “adorning,” or clothing, that shines brighter than any ordinary clothing she can buy and wear.  Don’t worry ladies, God is not outlawing shopping for great clothes, jewelry, or makeup.  He is just saying that character is more important than clothing in a marriage relationship, and in any other relationship for that matter.  Character is what counts for Christ.

“Do not fear” showing such a submissive character.  Most husbands will be better husbands to you for it, and as previously admonished, some who do not believe may actually believe because of it.  Modernists and feminists will mock you for it, but you never need to fear the ridicule of anyone when you are living in the proper fear of the Lord.  

“Be subject to your own husbands” like wife and mother Maria in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Let your husband be the head of the home.  Just remember you are the neck.  With God’s spirit and a submissive spunk, you can turn him any way you want.  

Husbands are Called to “Live With”

“Likewise,” Christians who are husbands are not free from the command of submission.  There are realms in society in which they must demonstrate a submissive spirit.  There are areas in marriage where they must be mutually submissive to their wives, too.  But the emphasis for males from Simon Peter is not to “be subject” but to “live with.”  

“Live with” means provide a good living and happy home for your wife and children.  A Christian husbands greatest responsibility beyond being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a faithful provider for his wife and family.  You are not independent and you should always live as if their lives depended on you.  Make the necessary sacrifices for them, lead by example, and fulfill your basic charge as a husband.  

“In an understanding way” literally means according to knowledge, experiential knowledge, most importantly of God’s word and God’s will.  Not every man is called to be a pastor, but every husband is the pastor in his own home.  He is to be a spiritual man who provides uncompromising spiritual leadership.  This means you will never be a fine husband until you first commit yourself to being a faithful Christian.

“As the weaker vessel” always catches our eyes.  Remember, Jesus is no thief, but He said He would come again as a thief in the night.  Women are not weaker than men (and in most cases are stronger spiritually).  But a husband is to love a wife by honoring her and protecting her as if she needed him at every turn.  She can open the door for herself, but you should do it.  She can clean out the garage and take out the trash by herself, but you should do it.  She can take care of herself in most situations, but you should make her know you would lay down your life to defend and protect her.  

Provider, pastor, protector -- that is a lot of roles packed into just one verse.  And they are to be carried out by treating her as your equal, as “heirs with you of the grace of life.”  Otherwise, you are living in sin, and sin is the only thing that can hinder prayers.  

All are Called to Follow Christ

Before this section started, Simon Peter did not ask all persons except wives and husbands to leave the room.  So, there must be something here for everybody, not just married couples.  I hope so, because there are always a lot of widowed, divorced, single, and small people in the church.  What does this say to all of us who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

For people in or entering into message, the meanings are obvious.  For children and teenagers, pay attention, you will most likely need this advice some day.  For the widowed there is comfort, hopefully in the memory of a life lived for Christ.  For the divorced there is comfort and grace, comfort in the fact you were faithful even though your marriage fell apart; and, grace if you caused a divorce and will come to Christ in repentance and faith.  For those called to be single, you may not be a part of an actual human marriage, but as a believer in Christ you are part of the greatest marriage of them all.  

Though Peter is not as explicit as Paul, the Apostles all taught that marriage on earth is a spiritual picture of Christ and His bride, the church.  We may not all be called to be someone’s wife or husband, but we are all called to be submissive, strong, faithful followers of the Lord.  

In the scenario painted by Peter on marriage, great emphasis (six out of seven verses) is placed on the responsibility of the wife.  She is to walk beside and behind her husband, just not ahead.  She is to submit to his leadership, except in the case where he may lead away from God’s express word and will.  She also deserves to expect that he will be that provider, pastor, and protector to safeguard her spiritual growth and well-being.  

Ecclesia is a feminine noun.  The Church is a wife.  Throughout history, she has often not been a very good one.  But one member of one church can make a great difference.  If they will trust that Jesus truly is the perfect provider, pastor, and protector, if they will love and obey Him with all of the heart, mind, and soul, if they and the other members of the bridal party will seek to be faithful in all things, then this contagious spirit can catapult a church into becoming a blessing to her Lord by making His name great and glorious in community.  

God did not call us to be prideful, self-willed, or independent.  He does not command us to seek to be famous, rich, or successful.  God called us to be faithful.  To the married, the best thing anyone can ever say about you is that you are a faithful wife or husband.  To all of us, the best thing that can ever be said about any of us is that we are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.  So, God’s plan for every woman and man is to be faithful to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, by being faithful to the word of God in His church.

GOD’S PLAN FOR A WOMAN AND A MAN
1 Peter 3:1-7

Dr. Charles Franklin DeVane, Jr., Pastor
Lake Hamilton Baptist Church
Hot Springs, Arkansas

August 25, 2013

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.  Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
-- 1 Peter 3:1-7, ESV


Simon Peter’s life showed tremendous courage in the face of great danger.  It certainly required a great deal of courage for him, a man, to take on the dangerous task of telling women what to do, in general or in a marriage.  His words on wives and husbands parallel Paul’s, another man.  But remember, both Peter and Paul were special men inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words.  They should be studied and taken to heart by any woman or man, married or single, who desires to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

The setting of these verses, like all of the New Testament, was an era when there was no equality whatsoever between the sexes.  It was a firmly patriarchal society in which men ruled.  Women and children were virtually considered as property.  Because of this cultural condition, many (even some with a very high view of Scripture) consider this text outdated and irrelevant.  

I beg to differ, however, and submit that these verses on submission are as relevant today as they have ever been, perhaps even more so.  This is not a man’s plan, nor a culture’s plan, but God’s plan for a woman and a man in Christian marriage.  The fact that the roles described seem so out of date make them stand out as an even bolder witness for Christ in our day and age.

Both the section for wives (vs. 1-6) and husbands (vs. 7) begin with the word “likewise.”  This ties the text into the context which began at 2:13, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.”  Government is a human institution, and Christians are to be submissive to governing bodies even when they are led by corrupt heads like the evil emperor Nero or the incompetent governor Pilate.  Vocation is a human calling and institution.  Christians should submit to their employers, even in a situation as strident and unseemly as slavery.  And marriage is a human institution, and Christians involved in holy matrimony, women and men, must submit first to God and then to one another (ref. Ephesians 5:21) in order to make a marriage bring glory to God and good to all family members involved.  Together, wives and husbands bear the responsibility of making marriage work.  Yet their specific assignments to this end slightly differ.

Wives are Called to “Be Subject”

Christian wives are called to “be subject,” or submissive, or subordinate, to their husbands as if he were superior to them.  Not here nor anywhere else in the Bible does it say that husbands are superior to wives, nor men over women for that matter.  Nero was not superior to Simon Peter (quite the contrary actually), yet Simon Peter was compelled by Jesus Christ to submit to Nero unless Nero’s government ordered Simon Peter to do something that was completely contrary to the will and word of God.  So it is with wives and husbands.  Christian wives are called to let the husband be in charge, or at least think that he is in charge.  

Why?  Because you are never more like Christ than when you are serving someone else.  The combination of strength and submission is meekness, and the meek shall inherit the earth (ref. Matthew 5:5).  Christian womanhood and wifehood gives women the opportunity to display meekness, a definite Christ-like character, that can save a family, strengthen a church, broadcast the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make a home seem like a heaven on earth.  Is it easy?  No, because good and godly things are never easy.  Is it necessary?  Yes, especially when you find yourself married to an unbeliever.

“Do not obey” and do not believe are synonymous in Scripture.  You cannot consider yourself a true believer in Christ if you are not truly obedient to Christ.  Obedience does not save you, but saved people are obedient.  So when a believing wife has a husband who “does not obey,” the way to perhaps win him to Jesus is “without a word.”  A submissive spirit, also synonymous with a Christ-like spirit, is the best witness a believing wife has to influence her unbelieving husband.  In situations where you are this close to someone words too often lead to arguments.  But no husband can argue with a wife who sweetly submits to his needs while at the same time never compromising her faith in Jesus Christ.  

God feels so strongly about this kind of character that He stresses it should be the Christian wives “adorning,” or clothing, that shines brighter than any ordinary clothing she can buy and wear.  Don’t worry ladies, God is not outlawing shopping for great clothes, jewelry, or makeup.  He is just saying that character is more important than clothing in a marriage relationship, and in any other relationship for that matter.  Character is what counts for Christ.

“Do not fear” showing such a submissive character.  Most husbands will be better husbands to you for it, and as previously admonished, some who do not believe may actually believe because of it.  Modernists and feminists will mock you for it, but you never need to fear the ridicule of anyone when you are living in the proper fear of the Lord.  

“Be subject to your own husbands” like wife and mother Maria in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Let your husband be the head of the home.  Just remember you are the neck.  With God’s spirit and a submissive spunk, you can turn him any way you want.  

Husbands are Called to “Live With”

“Likewise,” Christians who are husbands are not free from the command of submission.  There are realms in society in which they must demonstrate a submissive spirit.  There are areas in marriage where they must be mutually submissive to their wives, too.  But the emphasis for males from Simon Peter is not to “be subject” but to “live with.”  

“Live with” means provide a good living and happy home for your wife and children.  A Christian husbands greatest responsibility beyond being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a faithful provider for his wife and family.  You are not independent and you should always live as if their lives depended on you.  Make the necessary sacrifices for them, lead by example, and fulfill your basic charge as a husband.  

“In an understanding way” literally means according to knowledge, experiential knowledge, most importantly of God’s word and God’s will.  Not every man is called to be a pastor, but every husband is the pastor in his own home.  He is to be a spiritual man who provides uncompromising spiritual leadership.  This means you will never be a fine husband until you first commit yourself to being a faithful Christian.

“As the weaker vessel” always catches our eyes.  Remember, Jesus is no thief, but He said He would come again as a thief in the night.  Women are not weaker than men (and in most cases are stronger spiritually).  But a husband is to love a wife by honoring her and protecting her as if she needed him at every turn.  She can open the door for herself, but you should do it.  She can clean out the garage and take out the trash by herself, but you should do it.  She can take care of herself in most situations, but you should make her know you would lay down your life to defend and protect her.  

Provider, pastor, protector -- that is a lot of roles packed into just one verse.  And they are to be carried out by treating her as your equal, as “heirs with you of the grace of life.”  Otherwise, you are living in sin, and sin is the only thing that can hinder prayers.  

All are Called to Follow Christ

Before this section started, Simon Peter did not ask all persons except wives and husbands to leave the room.  So, there must be something here for everybody, not just married couples.  I hope so, because there are always a lot of widowed, divorced, single, and small people in the church.  What does this say to all of us who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

For people in or entering into message, the meanings are obvious.  For children and teenagers, pay attention, you will most likely need this advice some day.  For the widowed there is comfort, hopefully in the memory of a life lived for Christ.  For the divorced there is comfort and grace, comfort in the fact you were faithful even though your marriage fell apart; and, grace if you caused a divorce and will come to Christ in repentance and faith.  For those called to be single, you may not be a part of an actual human marriage, but as a believer in Christ you are part of the greatest marriage of them all.  

Though Peter is not as explicit as Paul, the Apostles all taught that marriage on earth is a spiritual picture of Christ and His bride, the church.  We may not all be called to be someone’s wife or husband, but we are all called to be submissive, strong, faithful followers of the Lord.  

In the scenario painted by Peter on marriage, great emphasis (six out of seven verses) is placed on the responsibility of the wife.  She is to walk beside and behind her husband, just not ahead.  She is to submit to his leadership, except in the case where he may lead away from God’s express word and will.  She also deserves to expect that he will be that provider, pastor, and protector to safeguard her spiritual growth and well-being.  

Ecclesia is a feminine noun.  The Church is a wife.  Throughout history, she has often not been a very good one.  But one member of one church can make a great difference.  If they will trust that Jesus truly is the perfect provider, pastor, and protector, if they will love and obey Him with all of the heart, mind, and soul, if they and the other members of the bridal party will seek to be faithful in all things, then this contagious spirit can catapult a church into becoming a blessing to her Lord by making His name great and glorious in community.  

God did not call us to be prideful, self-willed, or independent.  He does not command us to seek to be famous, rich, or successful.  God called us to be faithful.  To the married, the best thing anyone can ever say about you is that you are a faithful wife or husband.  To all of us, the best thing that can ever be said about any of us is that we are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.  So, God’s plan for every woman and man is to be faithful to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, by being faithful to the word of God in His church.

THE HARDEST THING TO DO
1 Peter 2:13-25

Dr. Charles Franklin DeVane, Jr., Pastor
Lake Hamilton Baptist Church
Hot Springs, Arkansas

August 18, 2013

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover- up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.  Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
-- 1 Peter 2:13-25, ESV


A hard life is not what most people would prefer to pursue.  We’d rather “take it easy” and steer clear of the difficult things in life.  Many Christians, especially in modern times, like sit in padded pews and walk the paths of least resistance.  

For true followers of Christ, however, who take God’s commandments seriously, easy is not really an option.  We signed up for hard.  At the outset, Jesus said plainly, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (ref. Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23).  Carving out time in our busy schedules to publicly and privately worship God, mustering the courage to invite others to Christ and His church, giving away money for tithes and offerings, and other Christian disciplines can prove to be hard things to do.  

But what it the hardest thing?  Which commandment in the arsenal of God’s word is the toughest to take?  Simon Peter, whose life was anything but easy, tells us in this text.

The Hardest Thing

The hardest thing in life is to “be subject.”  We do not naturally like to submit to someone’s authority, to yield our will to another’s, to use our strength for the good and goals of someone else.  The fact that it is “for the Lord’s sake” should make it easier to swallow for Christians, but it is still perhaps the most difficult thing to do in this life.  

Basic human nature would rather be Invictus, the captain of our own ship, the master of our own fate.  Pride makes us believe that we are better than others, so others need not tell us what to do.  Sinfulness is essentially selfishness, and it still lurks in the hearts of even the best of born again believers.  

At the outset, let us understand that the word Peter chooses to use (two words in English) is the exact same word used in James 4:7, “Be subject to God.”  So in reality, when we are able to obey this commandment and submit to the realms of authority a sovereign God has placed over our lives, we are actually submitting, or being subject to, God Himself.  

But this text does not stress submission to God directly, but to others, and the realm of others is extreme.

Its Unlimitations

Our subjection and submission as Christians belongs to “every human institution,” “everyone,” and “not only the good and gentle but also the unjust.”  To further define the extremity and seemingly unlimited manner in which we should submit, specific persons like the “emperor” and “governor” are used.  Please note that the evil, Christ-hater, Christian-killer Nero was the current emperor of Rome when Peter wrote this epistle.  And, don’t forget that Jesus Christ was crucified under the authority of a governor named Pilate.  

The primary emphasis of the first paragraph seems to be upon government, and human institution ordained by God.  Human governments are led by, well, humans, and humans can be corrupt and unfair.  Such sin is generally no excuse for a Christian to sin by rebelling against otherwise legitimate government.  To push the application farther, spouses (to whom we should be mutually submissive) can be difficult, parents can be wrong, principals and teachers can be unfair, and the policeman may give you a ticket even though you know you were not really speeding.  

Does God want us to be wimps?  No, He wants us to be witnesses, “to silence the ignorance of foolish people,” which may and sometimes do include that spouse, parent, principal, or policeman.  God wants people, especially lost people, to see Christ in us.  A Christian is never more like Christ than when he or she graciously submits to someone else, even when that someone else seems unkind or unfair.  The text shall elaborate upon this in a moment.

Please allow me to insert one limitation on this otherwise unlimited command.  Simon Peter, who wrote this commandment for God, did on occasion fail to submit in the name of God (read Acts 5:29 and the surrounding context).  This commandment to submit is suspended only when a Christian is coerced to do something that is plainly and diametrically opposed to the other commandments of God.  But be careful with this freedom, and be wary of “using your freedom as a cover-up for evil.”

Its Common Application

Of all the relationships Simon Peter could have used to stress the spiritual disciple of subjection, he chose that of “servants” and “masters.”  Slavery was a common reality in the Roman Empire and a cruel part of our own American history.  Many slaves became Christians, and this application would serve as an extreme example of the spirit of Christ.  It still serves as perhaps the most common example, too.

Today most Christians are slaves only to Christ.  But all of us have a vocation, a calling, a job.  And virtually no job affords one the opportunity to work for ourselves (even business owners answer to clients and customers).  So in this realm, as Dylan wrote, “You gonna have to serve somebody.”  

On the job is where we tend to spend the majority of time in our lives and the place where we are the most visible.  Even non-workaholics burn more hours on the job than in personal or family recreation.  And if you don’t sleep on the job, you spend more time on the job than sleeping.  Furthermore, discretionary time and sleep are not generally watched by others, whereas most vocations are employed in an arena viewed by God and man.  

Therefore, your good submission and godly attitude at work or school can be your loudest and proudest witness for Christ, especially when we are able to handle adversity or injustice in a gracious way.  Contrariwise, a surly, lazy, foul-mouthed worker or student, especially one who claims to be a Christian, drives people in droves away from Christ and His church.  So let us work and live before others as if God is watching.  For, He is indeed, and His word for us is “be subject for the Lord’s sake.”  

Now that we’ve brought the Lord again into the argument, let us look with wonder at the greatest example of submission ever submitted.

The Greatest Example

Simon Peter had his own great moment of obedience and subjection, but he chooses not to use them here.  Neither does he cite the great Christian witness and example of his fellow Apostles or choice saints.  No, for this difficult commandment and application he appeals to the very top, to God Himself in Jesus Christ.  Here we find the chief example and something much more.

In the life of Christ we find a person in whom submission was a way of life.  He submitted to His parents, who really didn’t understand him, for three decades before departing to make His own name and fame.  In the three years of His public ministry, He roamed the realm of a pagan emperor and eventually suffered under a cowardly governor.  “He was reviled” by the most reviling of religious leaders.  And ultimately, He was asked by His Heavenly Father to do the absolutely hardest thing.  

Sometimes soldiers are given orders which will put them in situations where death is a probability.  But in the case of God’s Son, His death, if He submitted fully to the Father’s will, would be an absolute certainty.  What if Jesus had been a rebellious teenager, an unwilling worker, a good-for-nothing church member, or even exercised His right not to sacrifice Himself for people who were inherently not worth it?  But of course, He submitted Himself, “entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”

This is our example to follow.  But lest this practical text take a wrong theological turn, Simon Peter closes with a powerful and gospel thought.  

More Than An Example

Jesus Christ is our ultimate example for the way to live our lives.  Anyone who neglects this fact, or the kindness of Jesus, or the social justice He demonstrated, or the myriad other ways Jesus shows us how to live our lives, is just being negligent of Scripture and an important part of the gospel.  

However, the gospel by no means teaches us we become Christians, or that we are saved, by following Christ’s example.  The gospel, elaborated upon in verses 24 and 25, teaches us that we are saved not by the mere example, but by the specific death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ, who “Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”

Vivid images and words from Isaiah 53 are found in Simon Peter’s words.  He understood that Jesus’ fulfillment of this prophecy struck at the heart of the gospel and the Christian life.  Jesus Christ is the supreme example of submission and grace under pressure, but He is also much more than an example.  He is the Suffering Servant.  He is the Savior.  He is the great “Shepherd.”  He is the great “Overseer” of His body, the church.  He is Lord.

Only those who live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ really know what submission is all about.  It does not mean it is not hard to bury pride and independence to serve other human beings.  But when we do the hard thing, by submitting to others in grace and peace, we find we are really doing the easy thing by submitting to our Lord Jesus Christ, whose yoke is easy and burden is light.

GOD AND RACISM
1 Peter 2:9-12

Dr. Charles Franklin DeVane, Jr., Pastor
Lake Hamilton Baptist Church
Hot Springs, Arkansas

August 11, 2013

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
-- 1 Peter 2:9-12, ESV


God and racism are two subjects that would seem to be mutually exclusive.  God is great and God is good, so no one would ever even think Him to be a racist.  Racism is for lesser beings like Adolf Hitler, Klu Klux Klansmen, and certain prophets for profit who hijacked the civil rights movement a reverse racism reservoir.    

Can racism ever be good or godly?  Jerry Seinfeld once remarked in character that he really wanted to date a Chinese woman.  Elaine accused him of making a racist remark, to which he replied, “It isn’t racism if you like their race.”  Touché.  

God likes, even loves, people of all races.  This truth is told in song (“Red and yellow, black and white ...”) and Scripture (ref. Acts 10:34-35).  But the text before us today begins with the fact that there is a “chosen race” to God.  It can hardly be called racism, because God certainly loves this race.  Nevertheless, a single race of mankind has been chosen to bear special blessings and responsibilities before Almighty God, seemingly as all other races have been passed over.  Which race is God’s favorite race?

Americans Are Not God’s Favorite Race

God has certainly favored the United States of America, at least historically.  We are probably still the most prosperous, religious, and resource-rich nation in the world.  Most school maps put the good old USA in the center of the picture.  We relish the fact that we stand alone as the world’s only so-called “super power.”  We expect everyone else in the world to learn English while we become ever increasingly incapable of speaking it ourselves.  We act like we are God’s chosen people.

But, we are most certainly not.  We were not dreamed of when God visited man in the days of the Old Testament, nor when Jesus walked the earth at the inauguration of the New Testament, and I doubt very seriously we are the “eagle” in the book of Revelation.  Our founding fathers sought to build a “city on a hill” for God, but in two subsequent centuries we have transformed into a bunch of pagans on the plain.  We constitute less than five percent of the world’s population but greedily consume far more than our fair share of the world’s resources.  We’ve kicked God out of classrooms and courtroom and appear primed to boot Him out of the military and the mainstream of our lives.  

All that being said, like Lee Greenwood I am “glad to be an American” and pray daily, “God bless the USA.”  I have visited other countries, studied many more, and the United States of America is my favorite country.  But, it is not God’s.  

Israelis Are Not God’s Favorite Race

Well, if white people in general and Americans in particular are not God’s favorite race, who is?  Most white Americans, especially Christians, would say Israel (in the present tense).  This is at least a little disturbing.  

Israel and America are strong political allies, in a way that makes some sense and brings mutual benefits to both countries.  Israel and evangelical Christians in America have strong ties, too.  To this day I hear many Christians call the Israelis “God’s People.”  Recently I watched an evangelical television program promoting a new church funded by American Christians in Israel where the pastor proudly proclaimed, “We don’t have to be Christian, we can just be Jewish.”  Something is wrong with this picture.  

Americans and particularly American Christians strongly side with Israel in their ongoing conflicts with the Palestinians.  Before the mid-twentieth century, however, the majority of Palestinians were Christians.  Since the political re-birth of Israel, and since it was supported mostly by white American and British politicians, and since so many Palestinians were forced away from their homes and made exiles, the Christian percentage of Palestinians has shrunk to about 2.0%.  Jewish people living in Israel who are Christians constitute about 0.2% of the population.  The middle east is hardly the holy land, at least not in the biblical sense, any more.  

But it was and they were, weren’t they?  Even our text at hand takes us back to a place and time when the Jews were a favored people, especially beloved and blessed by God.  Even evangelical Christians owe a debt of sorts to Israel, for from them came our Messiah, our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.  We cannot be anti-semitic, we cannot be racist against Jews (or any other people group for that matter), but we cannot say with a straight face today that the Jews are God’s chosen people.  

Then who are?  Who is God talking to in this text?

Christians Are God’s Favorite Race

Granted, Simon Peter’s words were taken right out of Old Testament texts, especially Exodus 19:6, Isaiah 43:20-21, and Hosea 2:23.  They were given to Israel through Israelites to show God’s favor for Israel.  But, as Paul explained in Romans 9:6, “Not all who descended from Israel belong to Israel.”  The promise of God’s favor is only for those who belong to God in the “Christian” sense, or “gospel” sense, or by grace alone through faith alone in God alone as God has revealed Himself to man.  

In the Old Covenant, almost all believers were Jews living in or around Israel.  But many believers, from Jethro to Rahab to the people of Hosea’s prophecy to the Ethiopian eunuch and the Roman centurion came to God by grace through faith during or at the fulfillment of the Old Covenant.

When the New Covenant completely fulfilled and replaced the Old, most of the early Christians were Jewish, but soon were dispersed across the landscape of the known world (this is Peter’s primary audience in this epistle).  But as the gospel spread, the church became comprised of people of all races and nations who held one thing in common.  They all came to a covenant relationship with God by grace through faith in God, as God revealed Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ.  That is why today, God’s favorite race is limited to true Christian people, without reference to their earthly race.  

God’s attribute of love and His common grace falls upon all people, all races, all nations.  But His sovereign, saving grace, His covenant gift of faith, His bestowal of salvation through His Son, is only for one race of people, the people running in the Christian race.  Running this race is owed to great blessing and it comes with great responsibility.

The Blessing and Responsibility of the Christian Race

While the first three points serve as a long, necessary introduction, this fourth and final point gets at what God is saying to us through this text in 1 Peter.  Being included in God’s people makes us favored and humbled.  It is a great blessing and a great responsibility.  It is grace, through faith, not by our works, which empowers us to live, worship, and work for God.

Being “a chosen race” is a blessing.  We did not elect God to be our leader, He elected us to be His followers.  Election is the privilege of a sovereign God to chose the persons He wills to be His children.  It overrides our stubborn, sinful, self-will to do as we please and transforms us into a people that desire to please God.  It is not conditional based upon any actual or predicted works or decisions man my make.  And all whom God purchases for Himself with His Son’s blood will come to Him and never be cast out.  If you are following Christ today, it is as Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.”

Being “a royal priesthood” is a responsibility, as is being part of “a holy nation.”  All Christians are responsible to believe, to pray, to worship, to bring sacrifices, and to bring people to God.  We do this by maintaining our character, our integrity, our speech, and our associations in a way that is distinct, godly, “holy.”  And we don’t live isolated lives from one another, but are in covenant and communion together as a “nation” in our respective churches.    

Being God’s “own possession” is a blessing.  God owns everything, but He has chosen to possess certain people.  As His precious possession, God has His eye on you and will never take it off.  His hand is over us and will never move.  Trials chisel us and victories polish us to make us more and more beautiful, valuable, and eternal in the realm of our God and Savior.

Being able to “proclaim” the gospel of God’s “light” and “mercy” is a responsibility.  We do this with our lips and our lives by representing God on earth as “sojourners and exiles” who “abstain from the passions of the flesh.”  When I visited Romania, Russia, and Israel on short-term mission trips, I was indeed an alien in the land.  Coming home, I realized my life here is a short-term mission trip.  That is why it is imperative to capture every opportunity to share Christ with family, friends, and people you meet.  That is why it is so important to live lives that are spiritually true and morally pure.  We have such a short time to point others in the right direction, and we cannot proclaim and point if we are not walking the narrow road ourselves.

And even when you “keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable,” many of the race of unbelievers will still “speak against you as evildoers.”  The first Christians were accused of being atheists and seditionists.  It took the better part of three centuries to overcome these false accusations.  I wonder today if the church is marching forward or failing in retreat.  Can others really “see your good deeds?”  Does our church “glorify God” on Sundays and every day?  We will be ready to meet God and influence others to be ready “on the day of visitation” when Christ comes again?  

I have worked as an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity officer for a company.  I abhor racism of any kind.  I long for the day when race really doesn’t matter when it comes to employment, opportunity, or any other earthly thing.

But race matters in spiritual and eternal things, and in the way we should conduct ourselves during our time on earth.  It is time for the Christian race to run the Christian race.  To be born again is a special blessing from God .  To live as God’s preferred race of people on earth is a tremendous responsibility.  Let us be the race, and run the race, that pleases and glorifies God!

DON’T AND DO
1 Peter 2:1-8

Dr. Charles Franklin DeVane, Jr., Pastor
Lake Hamilton Baptist Church
Hot Springs, Arkansas

August 4, 2013

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:  “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”  So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”  They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
-- 1 Peter 2:1-8, ESV


The first chapter of 1 Peter bookends the beginning of the Christian life, with a double emphasis on being born again (ref. vs. 3, 23).  As the second chapter unfolds, there is much encouragement and instruction for those who have been born again.  Born again Christians are born to live, for we used to be dead.  Born again Christians are born to love, for we used to live in enmity against God and in competition against one another.  And, born again Christians are born to learn, for Christianity is a life-long learning experience from which we do not graduate until the day we enter Heaven.  

Some mistakenly and legalistically reduce Christianity to a long series of “do’s” and don’ts”.  While the true faith is much more than that, it is not necessarily less.  Christ compels us to do many things, and His word restrains us from engaging in sinful behaviors with a healthy selection of “don’ts.”  

Sometimes the best way to look at this life of living, loving, and learning, is to “do” the things required in the Christian life by “don’t” doing certain things.  Simon Peter explains in this text.

Don’t Ever Quit Repenting

Peter begins putting forth this argument by telling us what to “put away” (ref. Ephesians4:22).  He majors on “all malice,” then lists four other sins that flow from malice’s polluted stream: “all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”  Granted, these things should have been and indeed are diluted and dissipated at the moment the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit enters at the new birth.  Yet, traces still linger even in the new life of the new born Christian because of the bad blood we inherited from our federal father, Adam.  

Let’s look more closely at what these sins are, what made them flee in the first days of our Christian lives, and how to keep them from creeping back in.  It would be easy enough to do a word study on all five miscreants, but Peter’s original words were meant to flow into one pattern of behavior.  They describe the depraved human nature that makes people sneakily pretend to be better than they really are, mostly because of jealousy, and motivates them to speak evil and insulting things about other people.  People tearing down people, this is how lost people typically live.  

But when one is born again, this pollution is cleaned up by the evangelical grace we call repentance.  Repentance is the gift of God whereby we make up our minds to don’t do the sins we used to do.  We don’t hate or ignore God anymore.  We don’t want to step on other people anymore with malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.  We repent when we are born again, but born again people don’t stop repenting.  It is a grace that keeps on giving and a discipline that must be continually grasped.  So the next time you are tempted to talk about someone else or otherwise hurt someone else in a mean, sinful spirit, stop for a moment and don’t stop repenting!

Don’t Ever Stop Growing

You won’t stop repenting if you don’t stop growing in the Christian life.  Newborns grow.  They are programed to crave milk, drink milk, and grow.  They don’t taste the milk and spit it out, at least not all of it.  Newborns crave milk, drink milk, and grow.

Now Peter (unlike Paul in 1 Corinthians) is not calling his original audience a bunch of babies.  He seems to have strong confidence in them, since suffering for Christ was proving the genuineness of their faith in Christ.  Jesus said He would come again like a thief, but He is certainly no thief.  Peter is saying that if we “long for” spiritual things like babies long for milk, that we won’t be baby believers, we’ll “grow up into salvation.”

What things should we long for?  Well, they should be “pure” (a word that is opposite of “deceit” in vs. 1) and they should be “spiritual.”  In other words, they should be Holy Spirit, or godly, things.  

Some translations even insert the word “word” here.  Though in the original language this is implicit rather than explicit, it is a good word.  The word of God, the Bible, is a Holy Spirit thing.  It is inspired by the Holy Spirit and consuming it daily will cause the Christian to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord.  Read, meditate, obey Holy Scripture, and you don’t ever stop growing.  Pray, engage in holy communication between God and the child of God, and you don’t ever stop growing.  Worship, publicly and privately, and you don’t ever stop growing.  Exercise your Holy Spirit-given gifts of speaking or serving, and you don’t ever stop growing.  The list of spiritual things can go on and on, but I hope by now you get the idea.  Don’t ever stop attention and attendance to spiritual things and don’t ever stop growing.

Don’t Ever Quit Building

One of the marks of a growing Christian is his or her family spirit.  Babies grow and learn to love and appreciate the parents who provided them with milk.  Christians grow to love and appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ more and more, and the more they do, the more they realize they are part of a building, a kingdom, a family, a church.  Christ gave His life for the church (ref. Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25; etc.) and remains the “living stone,” the foundation and chief cornerstone.  Newborn Christians, followers of Christ, are “living stones” who continue the building that Jesus began.  Don’t ignore, don’t tear down, don’t ever quit building the church that Jesus loves and gave His life for!

We hired a contractor to do some work on the house owned by our church.  He never showed up; therefore, the work did not get done.  Christians are commanded to show up with the church so that we can show out and build up as a church.  We are all part of this “holy priesthood,” not just the vocational pastors or church leaders.  The wonderful reformed doctrine of the priesthood of the believer has much more to do with responsibility than privilege.  We are all to “offer spiritual sacrifices,” which primarily means public worship but also includes the private practice of witnessing and working for the Lord.  

A Christian without a church is like a soldier without an army, a player without a team, a child without a family.  We can’t function properly without one another.  In tandem, we are builders, builders of the kingdom of God whose visible expression is a local, New Testament church.  Be a builder, not a slacker, not a destroyer.  Be a builder, and don’t ever quit building for Christ and Christ’s church.

Don’t Ever Stop Believing

To don’t do all of these things does require a least one thing, and that is a sincere faith.  Faith, or believing, is mentioned three times in two verses (ref. vs. 6-7) in this text and it permeates all the verses.  Without faith, it is impossible to repent, or grow, or build, or don’t do, or do anything else that satisfies the Lord (ref. Hebrews 11:6; etc.).  

Faith requires an object, and always our objective faith is on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christians “taste and see that the Lord is good” (ref. Psalm 34:8).  Christians “come to Him” and follow Him.  Christians believe in Jesus.  Don’t ever stop believing.

We believe, in large part, because of Holy Scripture, the word of God (ref. Romans 10:17).  Peter cites three Old Testament passages in this text (ref. Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, and Isaiah 8:14).  Peter never stopped believing in the word of God, in the fact that all Scripture is true, trustworthy, and will be fulfilled.  Christians cling to their Bibles and believe that Christ has come and Christ is coming again.  Don’t ever stop believing.

Finally, every Christian should have a bedrock belief that a life lived following Christ according to Scripture will be richly and eternally rewarded.  Perhaps this is Peter’s main point in this passage.  We repent, even though repenting is hard.  We grow, even though growing is not easy.  We build, even though every thing and their cousin gets in the way.  We do these things, we don’t stop doing these things because we believe with all of our hearts that a day of great dividing will come.  For saints who persevered, who did not stop, “the honor” (ref. vs. 7, literally a payment, a gift, a reward) is an abundant and eternal lived in the celestial city built upon Jesus Christ and all of God’s promises.  For those who “disobey the word,” an indicator of unbelief and non-repentance, awful and eternal destruction is their destiny.  

So, don’t, and do.  Don’t stop repenting, growing, building, and believing.  And do enjoy the reward God has reserved for all of His newborn babies who grew to be men and women of God.