Passivism or Pessimism?

This message is from 1 Peter 2:18-25. Peter has gone over much to strengthen our lives with the Word of God. He continues with some interesting observations.

Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (2:18).

The word servants is the Greek word oiketes meaning a house-servant. We would use it as an employee. This is a different word than the usual doulos which is translated bond-servant or slave. In the first century slaves were common. But that is a teaching for another time. Froward means crooked, bad, or wicked.

This passage it is speaking to those that were slaves, and how a true Christian should act when in such a position. The root od the teaching is how are you going to exhibit the Godly nature of Christ even in the worst situation. We are to riase above present positions of this world and exhibit the heavenly position Christ has placed us in. and as such nothing but Christ matters for us. He says for us to…[be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. How are we doing? How are we at our place of work? Do people know we are Christians? Are you real close to those that are friendly to you? Or do you hardly ever talk to those that my not like you? Are you obeying your employer whether he is mean to others or you? The end result is that by your actions and attitude someone may come to Christ by it.

Let's take the first part of this passage and apply it to the Lord Jesus. It could very well, in a spiritual sense, be asking us to do the same to Him. Let's read it this way, [Christians] be subject to [your] Master with all fear. In the same manner that we are asked to obey our slaveholder how much more so our Lord and Master which is our true "slaveholder"!

For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully (2:19).

Thankworthy means acceptable. Conscience can be translated knowing in other words for knowing God. What is considered thankworthy? To endure grief, suffering wrongfully Why? Because you know God! It's thankworthy if you know God, endure grief, and suffer wrongfully. Jesus said this would happen.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also (John 15:20).

Peter goes on to say.

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 (2:20).

For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? What honor is it to be patient when you are receiving punishment for something you did? There is nothing honoring in that, and lastly to God. For He allows it because you deserve it. Many prisoners cry that they are innocent and are angry that they are in prison, but they are there because they did the crime. They are there because it is punishment for their crime.

However, if you're a Christian, and are beaten for no reason at all and you take it patiently this is acceptable with God. That's hard to get a hold of especially in today's thinking. It's unheard of to stand by and receive whatever someone over you may give you, and do it without saying anything. Today it's I will get you, or you haven't heard the last of me. Even, I'll sue you. Paul said to us the following:

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6:7).

But if we look at the principle behind this we see something larger. Something that goes beyond the physical aspect of being beaten for nothing. It's our likeness to Christ and His character. Peter continues, and as always, he is trying to bring us back to our relation to Jesus Christ.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (2:21).

What is an example to you? What does that mean to you? Webster's Dictionary defines it "To match, a parallel, a sample, a pattern, that which is to be followed or imitated." Peter says, Christ is to be our pattern--our sample! He says we are to follow his steps. Steps means manner or track. Let's look at what John the apostle said about this.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (1 John 2:6).

That is pretty powerful! Let me ask you a question how are you doing? How are you walking? Like Christ or the world? We should all pray a prayer to have God create in us a real hatred for the things He hates. Someone once prayed "Lord, let me not do the things you would not do."

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth (2:22).

When Peter says Jesus did no sin he means He committed no sin. Moreover, in Greek it's in the Aorist/Active/Indicative—at no time did He commit actual sins neither was there sin in Him. Beyond this we are told, as apart of the example to follow, that neither was guile found in his mouth. Guile means deceit.

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously (2:23).

Would you look at that! What a picture of our example to follow being railed upon. He says nothing only turned Himself over to the Father. Do we do that now a days? No, we run to the nearest lawyer to tell him, over nationwide radio, how we have been hurt and are suffering persecution. And then we are told we can help you, really? It says, but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. Who's the one that judges righteously? God the Father not some lawyer.

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).

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know (1 Thessalonians 3:4).

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

See also (2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 3:14,17; 4:16; and Revelation 2:10).

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (2:24).

It says Jesus bare that means carried our sins on the cross. Then it says we, being dead to sins. What does the word being mean? Simply, it's an action completed or something completed. Peter says because Jesus bore our sins on the cross, and that after we had confessed Him, and the work He did and received the gift of Grace; we are dead to sins. However, the NIV and other translations render it "we might die to sins." So in that case we are put in doubt, when we read those translations, as to whether our sins are really forgiven. No, we are forgiven and there is no doubt about that at all.

By whose stripes ye were healed. There are three things I would like to point out to you in this phrase. First, the word stripes this of course is the Divine stroke of judgment on the cross; moreover, it refers to bruise the Greek word is molops a bruise, wale, or wound. Look at Genesis 3:15.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

In other words this is the fulfillment of, and refers back to, the plan of redemption from the beginning. Second, the word healed many say and hold to this verse as a proof text for their physical healing, but is it? I don't think so. This is our spiritual healing of sins by Christ, and the context should be enough to prove that; however, how do we know this is a spiritual healing? This word healed in the Greek is iaomai it is the same word used in places like Matthew 13:15; John 12:40; Acts 28:27; and Hebrews 12:13. Clearly from those passages it is talking about the healing of sins.

Third, the little but very revealing word were what is that? It's past tense used to be. It says by whose stripes ye were healed it does not say is going to be. Again, from the context and the other points made this is really talking about the healing of sins. Don't throw rocks at me and say you're against healing. No, I'm not I do believe God can heal when, where, and who He wants. All I'm saying here is this passage can not be used to claim a healing.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (2:25).

Peter closes this chapter with a beautiful verse relating us to sheep that have gone astray, and that Jesus is our Divine Keeper. In verses 22-25 all in a part quote Isaiah 53 that great Messianic chapter.

Trust in Him, read His Word and pray daily and never lose sight that He loves you and cared enough to die on the cross for us all. Praise Him!

Amen?

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