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How Should I Act as a Christian?
Be Humble
1 Peter 2, 3, 5


1 Peter was written during a time when the early church was undergoing unjust treatment. They were being accused of being disloyal to Caesar and hurting the economics of the business community because they did not practice idol worship in the temple, nor did they own any idols.

1 Peter 2:17-18 gives us specific instructions on how to “live good lives” in a godless world. Peter was quick to point out that by living “good lives” we silence those who make foolish accusations against us. Therefore we are to:
1) Show respect for everyone (1 Peter 2:17)
a. Everyone was made in the image of God and therefore deserves value and dignity.
i. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
ii. “…God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
2) Love the brethren (1 Peter 2:17)
a. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
3) Fear God (1 Peter 2:17) – This is a reverent fear of God and always leads to obedience.
a. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…”
b. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
4) Show respect for government (1 Peter 2:17)
a. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. (Romans 13:1-4)
5) Accept the authority of our masters (employers, etc.) (1 Peter 2:18)
a. “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” (Ephesians 6:5-6)
i. What enables us to submit to our masters?
1. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” (Colossians 3:23)
2. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:7-8)

BEAR UNJUST SUFFERING
1) Christians are called to suffering (1 Peter 2:21)
a. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” (1 Peter 2:20)
b. “…if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:17-18)
c. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
d. “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake…” (Philippians 1:29)
e. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10)
2) Imitate Christ (1 Peter 2:21)
a. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
b. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…” (Hebrews 12:2)

While we are called to be humble (i.e, not ashamed to accept help, minister to others without seeking attention, be sympathetic, understanding, and ready to assist) and submit (i.e, yield) to those in positions over us, Peter is quick to remind us of our freedom in Christ Jesus. This freedom appears paradoxical in that we are free to live our lives as God’s slaves. The freedom Peter sets forth is one that allows us to choose what is right, not to do wrong:
1) Slaves to Christ Jesus
a. “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey…” (Romans 6:16)
b. “For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)

2) Freedom in Christ Jesus
a. from the rule of sin in our lives
i. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)
b. from guilt and shame
i. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)
c. from trying to gain salvation from our own works and efforts
i. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
ii. “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-5)

Humility and submission are the main focuses of this week’s lesson. Submission is a universal concept. Whether we realized it or not we submit in almost every aspect of our lives. We submit to the rule of government (presidential authority, congress, state and local government), to our employers, to our church authorities and to our husbands and wives. Children submit to their parents.

SUBMISSION
When done with an honoring and valuing attitude submission reflects the character of God and Christ. Submission is a command not an option for the Christian life. “…There is neither male nor female in Christ” (Galatians 3:28) just differing roles or positions.
1) Submission to Authority (1 Peter 2:13)
a. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3:1)
i. EXCEPTION
1. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:28-29)
2) Submission in the Marriage Relationship
a. Wifely Role
i. Submission. In simplest terms, submission means to voluntarily yield to another’s wishes or advise—this is an expression of love for the other person.
1. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)
a. Submission is done out of love, without complaining
i. “Do everything without complaining or arguing…” (Philippians 2:14)
b. Submission is required whether or not the husband has accepted Christ
i. “…you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News.” (1 Peter 3:1)
ii. Influence (1 Peter 3:1b)
1. “Your good lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.” (1 Peter 3:1-2)
a. Negative Influence
i. Sarai/Sarah
1. “And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir, but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” (Genesis 15:4)
2. “Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children; and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing; I pray thee, go in unto my maid, it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” (Genesis 16:1-2)
b. Positive Influence
i. Sarah
1. “…Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, when she called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.” (1 Peter 3:6)
ii. Esther
1. “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? And it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? And it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, o king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request…” (Esther 7:1-3)
b. Husband’s Role
i. Love, honor, respect, sensitivity
1. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it…So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church…For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh…Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself…” (Ephesians 5:31-33)
2. “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” (Colossians 3:19)
3. “ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life…” (1 Peter 3:7)
a. Result of mistreating wives
i. “…your prayers will not be heard.” (1 Peter 3:7)
BE A BLESSING
1) Don’t repay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9)
a. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
b. Pay people back with a blessing
i. “being reviled, we bless…” (1 Corinthians 4:12)
SERVE WITH HUMILITY
1) God sets Himself against the proud
a. “He looks down on all that are haughty…” (Job 41:34)
b. “The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” (Psalms 31:23)
c. “whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.” (Psalms 101:5)

2) Humble yourselves so God can honor you
a. “But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” (Psalm 75:7)
b. “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low…” (Isaiah 2:11)

3) Know God cares about you
a. “You understand, O LORD; remember me and care for me.” (Jeremiah 15:15)
b. “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him…” (Nahum 1:7)
c. “"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25-33)

QUESTIONS:

1) What is the purpose for being called to “live good lives” in front of others?
2) How is it possible to “respect” everyone? Murderers? Child molesters? Liars, etc.?
3) What does it mean to “fear God?”
4) What is God’s purpose in our suffering?
5) How are we able to bear unjust suffering?
6) How does the work of the Holy Trinity set the example for our call to humility and submission?
7) Who has placed those in authority over us?
8) What is the main reason for submitting to authority?
9) Can you think of any positive benefits for submitting to the authorities God has placed over us?
10) Are we to submit to only those good people placed over us?
11) Does submission mean “blind obedience?” Explain.
12) How can submission to authority, personal freedom and slavery to Christ have active roles in the Christian’s life at the same time?
13) How did Christ leave us the perfect example of submission?
14) How is a wife’s submission different from being a “doormat?”
15) What warning is the husband given for mistreating his wife?
16) Are we ever allowed to retaliate against wrongs?
17) Why are we called upon to bless those that wrong us?
18) Why is it important to be humble?
19) What are some specific ways we can know that God cares for us?