TEXT: 1 Peter 3:8-16
READING: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
SUBJ: The manner of the life of the Lord’s people wherein they would love the way to which they have been called and would thus see ever brightening days.
AIM: That we would live in tune with the life given us in Christ and so experience the beginning of joy in this life with a view to life evermore.
INTR: Peter began this chapter with the word finally as Paul did in Philippians 3. The intent of both was to seize upon the thoughts of what had gone before with the desire to now apply.
1. Thoughts that had already been covered were fresh in their minds and included such things as the sovereignty of God in salvation; the trying of faith and regeneration (being born again and the evidence thereof).
2. He had continued with the approach to this world and the need to see ourselves as distinguished by the things appointed us (who we are made to be in Christ), by the preciousness of Christ to us, and by our behavior as strangers and pilgrims.
3. Thus, the “finally” points to the application of these truths in the lives of believers and the connection of these things with eternal life.
THESIS: The call to eternal life is a call to the pursuit of holiness now and the enjoyment of life now and forever.
I. A Reason of Calling (vv. 8-9)
1. To be of the same mind seems to be a common theme with the Apostles and certainly we are to agree as to the being and existence of God, as to His gracious purpose, as to that which is expected of us, and that we be of the same mind as was in Christ.
1) To have compassion or sympathy.
2) To exercise brotherly love (Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1 Peter 1:22))
3) To be tenderhearted
4) And humble
2. Not entering the contentious ways of the world but contrary:
3. Blessing instead because of the calling we have to inherit a blessing.
1) The calling of God and its aim: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30).
2) The summary thought of Paul: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
II. To those who would love life (vv. 10-13)
1. Jesus said concerning His sheep: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10).
2. Verses 10-12 are a quote from Psalm 34 where we read: What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? (Psalms 34:12); they point to the legacy that the believer has that he may enjoy life and see good days even in the midst of a hostile environment.
1) The way to this begins with the control of the tongue.
2) And to experience contempt for evil,
3) And to simply do good
3. He is to pursue peace. The word here is to pursue with the intent of acquiring it.
4. This is accompanied by a promise of the presence of God:
1) The divine attribute of omniscience is hateful to the world but precious to those who sense that eyes are upon as those for whom He cares, and His ears open to their prayer.
2) He is likewise aware of, and His face is set against the evil ones.
5. So, the question is proposed: Who can harm? We are reminded of, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:33-34).
III. The answer to it all (vv. 14-16)
1. To those outside the grace of God the idea of suffering and happiness must seem strange companions.
2. This is a qualified suffering that is referenced in that it is for righteousness’ sake: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
3. It is the evidence to us of Christ in us and we in Him.
4. We enabled to rise above fear and to rather be comforted in that we
1) Sanctify the Lord God (Christ in our hearts) – if Christ is not occupying a separated place in our hearts as both Lord and Christ, we have reason to doubt.
2) Fear is not in evidence where we are possessed with the superior weapon – the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God
3) The effect of Christ in us (set apart) is the hope of glory, meekness, and a loving Godly fear.
4) We are assured that He who has paid such a price for us shall not abandon us to the enemy.
5. Such a way of life produces in us a good conscience – the revilers are put to shame.
