Peter Reminds Us of Our Relations

Gary Smalley

In 1 Peter 2:17, Peter wrote what may be considered a concise, four-point summary of the Christian’s relations to others.  Please consider the Christian’s duty to live by these imperatives:

“Honor all people” – Though we live in an unkind world where most people have no interest in living for Christ, we must refrain from generating contempt for other people.  Every human creature is made in the image of God.  Remembering this will aid us in revering and venerating others, treating them in ways we wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12), and thus bringing glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).  This is how we keep our behavior excellent among others (1 Peter 2:12) and proclaim the excellencies of Christ and God (1 Peter 2:9).  Since Jesus died for all (Hebrews 2:9), can we not honor all?

“love the brotherhood” – The Christian’s honor for all men deepens into a more profound and undefeatable goodwill toward “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours,” (2 Peter 1:1).  The church (“brotherhood”) is the family of God (“the household of the faith”, Galatians 6:10; “God’s household”, Ephesians 2:19).  When a Christian acts in relation to a fellow Christian it is always for that person’s benefit or good, as a member of the same spiritual family.  Peter said that our souls have been purified for a sincere and fervent love of the brethren (1 Peter 1:22).  It is impossible to be a lover of God without brotherly love (1 John 4:20).  This characteristic is never optional, it is essential.

“fear God” – This is the Christian’s deepest and highest reverential respect, and it is always directed toward heaven.  It is where the Christian’s deepest devotion abides.  It is poles apart from arrogance and self-will.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;” (Proverbs 1:7).  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10).  Men commit crimes in the world because there is no fear of God in their lives (Romans 3:18).

“honor the king” – It would not be possible to bring glory to our heavenly Father as “lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15) if Christians failed to be law-abiding citizens, submitting to the chief authority in civil government and their righteous and noble decrees.  Peter admonished, “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;” (1 Peter 4:15).  Peter had previously commanded: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.  For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” (1 Peter 2:13-15).  Men are due honor, but not adoration or worship.

from The Old Hickory Bulletin