All disciples of Christ also suffer with Christ. Our obedience to the Lord is a cross-bearing, self-denying, Christ-imitating surrender to the will of God.
All who are biblically baptized share a common commitment to live in obedience to the Lord, to be dead to sin and self and alive to God in Christ. Peter reminds us that suffering is a part of the Christian life and that it is never an excuse to sin against the Lord.
Even though it is difficult to harm generous benefactors, believers do suffer persecution. How are we to respond in times of unfair treatment by unbelievers? Peter tells us how.
God deeply cares for His people. His provision and protection of them pervades throughout this life and into eternity. This provides for us a great sense of security from which we are able to live righteously and without retaliation that is so common in our world.
Husbands are to know and honor their wives. They are equals in marriage and it is imperative for their relationship with the Lord to be at peace with their own spouse. This peace-seeking approach to life is to pervade all of life for the Christian.
God’s will for Christian women is that they submit to their husbands. Peter gives a wonderful hope that God will use women’s godly character of submission to lead their husbands to Christ if they are unbelieving.
Christ has left an example for us to follow to do what is right in the sight of God even if it means suffering. Peter gives us the encouragement and example of Jesus to strengthen us.
Slaves are to submit to their masters out of their fear toward God. There is great reward and recognition from God for those who keep His word even in challenging situations of oppression.
Peter gives us the proper framework in which we are to view people and God. We show honor to all. We save our special love for the church of God. We reserve fear as that greatest passion we direct to God alone. We fear no man. We fear God only.
God commands us to submit to governing authorities. Our aim in this life is discipleship (to live as disciples and to make disciples). if God grants us clout to improve public policy, we can certainly leverage it.
