1 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 5 Peter Gives A Pattern For Godly Living

Unity in the church and loving one another. 

1 Peter 3:8-9  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

In our last post, we looked at God's mandate for Christians in each local church to maintain unity. Having one mind is a prominent theme in the New Testament. 

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

In this text, it is being united in avoiding the conceits and self centeredness pushed on us by the culture. 

Instead, we are to be open and ready to have fellowship with Christians of all backgrounds, vocations, ethnicity, or education. 

All Christians are put into the body of Christ by the Spirit of God as He deems best. 

As Paul put it, the weaker less comely parts are just as vital as the more comely ones (See 1 Corinthians 12:18-31).

The mind that we need the most is to have the mind of Jesus Christ. 

Paul tells us that the mind of Christ is His wilingness to be humbled by surrenduring His glory in order to be born as a man. 

His humility culminated in His death on the cross as our substitute (See Philippians 2:5-8). 

How to live the blessed life until Jesus calls us home. 

1 Peter 3:10-13 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13)  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

Peter was guided by the Holy Spirit to include a quotation from Psalm 34:12-16, in giving us instruction for godly living. 

This reminds us how important it is for Christians to read and learn the Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament rests securely upon the foundation of the Old Testament.

Maintain the right foundation by reading the Old Testament. 

Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Various teachers and theologians have pushed the idea that we are New Testament Christians and we do not need the Old Testament because it no longer applies.

Let me point out that there are more than 800 direct quotations and clear allusions to the Old Testament that are used by the New Testament writers. 

God never said that the Old Testament was no longer needed. This is a false doctrine promoted by men. 

Thus, the apostle Paul, himself a well educated Jew, emphasizes that the Old Testament is an integral part of the New Testament scriptures. 

A pattern for living a God honoring life.

1 Peter 3:10-13 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13)  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

Let us then see what truth Peter is teaching us. God is telling us the pattern of living that will allow us to live the best life possible, until Jesus calls us home.

The list of moral issues raised in this text remind us that as believers in Christ, we are in the world, but not of the world. 

We are not to be pressed into the mold of the culture, which is wholly devoted to the sins listed here. Thus, Peter is giving us a list of wrong behavior that we must "put off."

Christians must refrain from evil-speaking, lying, and slandering other people. We must avoid flattering words which cover up any hypocritical or wicked intent.

We must dedicate ourselves to avoiding evil so that we do not dishonor our wonderful Lord and Savior.

Although Peter did not use the terms "put off" and "put on" like Paul does, these actions are clearly indicated in the text.

Here is what we must "put on" in place of the things we are called to "put off." It is the Holy Spirit who will help us as we put off that which displeases God, and put on  that which pleases Him.

We must do good as God defines the word "good." We must learn to walk in His ways, pursuing the narrow path that leads to eternal life. 

We must seek peace with others because we have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus said the peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9).

We must live peaceably with all men, seeking peace where it has been lost, restoring it where it has been broken, and pursue it where it seems to be elusive.

Proverbs 15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 

Peter provides our motivation for putting off evil things and putting on the good things of God. It is because each Christian is continually under God’s loving oversight and care. 

God continually watches for us and watches over us. He blesses us with His constant protection. He hears the prayers of all who are born again, but He is far removed from the wicked.

However, He opposes the wicked and will not allow them to draw near to Him, unless they are repenting of sin and turning to Jesus Christ in faith, for salvation. 

Proverbs 16:7  When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to our prayers. A righteous man, woman or young person always attracts God's attention. 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he can rest secure knowing that he has the ear of God. 

Every righteous man is a man of prayer, and wherever he prays, the Father in heaven is attentive.

Proverbs 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 

In contrast, the face of Jehovah is against those who are wicked, those who do evil. 

Whereas God is ready to hear the believer's prayers, He will not bless the wicked by hearing their prayers. He has set Himself in array against all evil doers. 

Psalm 11:4-5  The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5)  The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 

Peter is showing us that it is not possible for a Christian to be wretched when God is our helper and friend.  The devices and schemes of the devil or wicked men, are brought to nothing by the providence of God.

Rulers are not against those who seek to do good and be a blessing to their family, community and nation (See Romans 13:3).

1 Thessalonians 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

Thus, Peter, Paul and the other apostolic writings point the Christian in the same direction of living for the glory of God. 

May we allow the scriptures to set the direction for our lives.

May we earnestly seek our God so that He may show us how to walk in His ways.

May we be pliable clay in the hands of our Master.

Bob