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HOW SHOULD I ACT AS A CHRISTIAN?
ACT RIGHT
1 Peter 1:13-2


1 Peter is often called the gospel of hope. It was written during a time of persecution of the early church, somewhere between 60-67 A.D. Because of the Roman persecution, believers were facing many trials and had been scattered throughout Asia Minor. In this portion of his letter, the apostle Peter is reminding believers of their call to holiness: “…just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16).”

The word used here is “hagios” (pronounced hag'-ee-os) and comes from the root word meaning to be different or distinct in the sense of a separating of one’s self from sin and impurity and being dedicated to God—literally, it means to be “set apart.” Holy, as in “holy ones,” is often translated as “saints.”

1) “Holy”—the completed work of Christ Jesus in our lives—Redemption
a. “…Christ Jesus, who has become for us…our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
b. “For ye are bought with a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
c. “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…” (1 Peter 1:18)
d. “…because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)

Redemption from slavery was easily understood by both Jew and Gentile believers. The Jews were very familiar with the concept of redemption since they had been redeemed or “brought out of” slavery from Egypt. A Gentile slave could be “redeemed” or receive his freedom at a price.

2) “Holy”—the “perfecting” of our faith—Sanctification
a. 2 Corinthians 7:1—“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
i. Sanctification is the work of God
1. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)
2. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
ii. Believers personal responsibility
a. “work out you own salvation in fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

PURPOSE FOR BEING “SET APART”

1) That we come to the living Stone: (1 Peter 2:4)
a. This living Stone, Christ Jesus, was “rejected by men but chosen by God and precious…”
i. “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone [ or cornerstone]…) (Psalm 118:22)
1. Jesus is the rock, literally translated “massive rock,” or “cornerstone” of the church
a. “Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "…on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:16-18)
2) As believers, we become “living stones” added to God’s spiritual house—God’s spiritual temple.” (1 Peter 2:5)
a. “And I tell you that you are Peter..” (Matthew 16:18)
Peter is translated, Petros which means “piece of a rock.”
b. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV)

3) “As believers we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” (1 Peter 2:9)
a. The call to become a royal priesthood was originally given to the Israelites
i. (Exodus 19:5-6), “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
b. The entire nation of Israel was called to meditate on God’s word and be a light to the Gentiles
i. Isaiah 42:6—"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,”)
c. The nation of Israel rejected God and disobeyed their calling:
i. “…for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 5:24)
d. Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, God’s call is now offered to both Jew and Gentile believers. (1 Peter 2:9)
i. God has “chosen” us
1. “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (John 15:16)
2. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)
3. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4)

THE BELIEVER’S PRIESTLY ROLE

1) Reflect God’s Holiness
a. “I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45)
2) Offer Acceptable Worship and Sacrifice

Worship and sacrifice goes back as far as Abel, Noah and the Patriarchs. King David left us a perfect example of the right attitude toward offering a sacrifice to the Lord. He said, “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24)
a. We are to offer our lives
i. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
ii. “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:11-14)
iii. “I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.” (Romans 6:19)
iv. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20)
b. We are to offer our praise, good works
i. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)
c. We are to offer our gifts, offerings
i. “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received…the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18)
3) Be a Blessing
a. To Fellow Believers
i. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another…(Romans 12:10 KJV)
ii.. “…serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
iii. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
iv. “…remember [each other] in.. prayer” (Romans 1:9-10)
v. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other…” (James 5:16)
vi. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1)
b. Represent God and Intercede for the Lost
i. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ…He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors…” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)
ii. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR GOD’S CALLING ON OUR LIVES

1) Prepare your minds for action. (1 Peter 1:13) This statement implies that we pull our thoughts together—have disciplined minds. Be sober minded—calm, steady, controlled—able to weigh all matters.
a. “…have [your] minds set on what the Spirit desires…” (Romans 8:5)
b. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
c. “…have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

2) We are also called to have an optimistic mind—a hopeful outlook! Remember, we have a living hope—we are waiting for Christ to be revealed! Be watchful! (1 Peter 1:13)
a. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:16-18)

3) Be Self-Controlled
a. “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
i. Put away (like you would take off a garment)
1. Malice (1 Peter 2:1) – Stored up anger, bitterness, unforgiving spirit
2. Deceit
3. Hypocrisy
4. Envy
5. Slander
6. Abstain from sinful desires (1 Peter 2:11)
7. Do not misuse your freedom in Christ (1 Peter 2:16)
a. “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. “ (1 Corinthians 8:9)
b. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
c. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Romans 6:1-2)
i. “…he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
1. “By standing firm you will gain life.” (Luke 21:19)
ii. “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness..” (2 Timothy 2:22)

b. Seek After
i. Crave pure spiritual milk—Hunger after God’s word. (1 Peter 2:1)

Have you ever noticed how a baby instinctively hungers for their bottle? That is how we are to hunger after God’s word.

1. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
a. The word of God offers us eternal life.
i. “Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
b. The word of God sanctifies us
i. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
1. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)
4) Live good lives—display good deeds before a sinful world (1 Peter 2:12)
a. “"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

5) Set your hope fully on Jesus Christ
a. “whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33)
b. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
c. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised…” (Hebrews 10:23)

6) Know your works will be judged (1 Peter 1:17)
a. “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead…” (2 Timothy 4:1)
i. Christian’s Judgment
1. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
2. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
3. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

b. Unbeliever’s Judgment
i. “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
ii. “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

7) Live as “strangers” on the earth
a. “…they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own…Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
b. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20)

8) Be Obedient. True belief always leads to obedience. Jesus submitted to His Father’s will and is our perfect example.
a. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:21)
b. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” (Romans 2:13)

9) Love one another deeply from the heart (1 Peter 1:22) “Deeply” can be translated as “exerting one’s self with all of one’s energy.” Sincere love is constant, enduring and unshaken.
a. “And now I will show you the most excellent way… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:4-8)

ACT RIGHT - STUDY QUESTIONS 1 Peter 1:13-2
1) Do you find it unusual that during a period of great persecution for the early church that Peter would urge believers toward holiness? Why do you feel holiness under fire is important? 2) Peter speaks of both grace and mercy. Is there a difference?
3) How does our holiness differ from God’s?
4) Why does “being a good person” or “having religion” not qualify someone as reaching God’s standard for being “holy?”
5) What is redemption? sanctification? Do we have a role to play in either work?
6) What part do you think “free will” has in our eternal redemption?
7) 1 Peter reminds us that Christ is “precious” to God. Explain how Christ is precious to you.
8) In what ways to you treat your body as if it were God’s temple. Name some ways we can abuse God’s temple?
9) Have you ever thought of yourself as a living sacrifice? How do we accomplish this in our lives?
10) Do you find Christians any easier to love than the lost? Explain.
11) How do we prepare our minds for action? Why do we need to do so?
12) What is Christian liberty or freedom? How can it be abused?
13) 1 Peter reminds us to be sober minded because we will be judged. How does the judgment of a Christian and one who is lost differ?
14) What does it mean to be a “stranger” on this earth?
15) Is it possible to always be obedient—or do you feel like you like you’re on your own with this one? Why or why not?