Summer is a busy time—and you may be busy “doing life together.” The apostles had a lot to say to the early church about doing life together. Surrounded by people and leaders with ideas, religions, philosophies, ways of life, and in some cases, laws, that differed from God’s ideal, believers had to stick together and encourage one another with truth and hope from God and His Word.
*How does our hope in God help us live life together?
We left off with the hope we can live as free people, as slaves of God.
- God’s Word in our hearts binds us to His heart through love.
- Our will is to be completely guided and encompassed by His will.
- From this position in God, we are to show respect to everyone.
- Not always easy to do, in the context of earthly governments and leaders and injustice.
*What does it mean to be completely guided and encompassed by God’s will?
*How does submitting to God’s will and seeking His guidance help us show respect to others?
“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:18-20).
This part of Peter’s letter addresses slaves and masters, but it’s still relevant.
We might work for someone else, or someone works for us.
Or a family member asks us to do something.
Or we encounter people over the summer who live by different norms or rules than ours.
The order of phrases is interesting.
Only in reverent fear of God can we ever hope to submit our (fallen, sinful) nature to others.
It’s easier to set aside our pride and selfishness when we fear God, remembering
- He exists—before and after an earthly linear timeline.
- He is in charge—Almighty God over all of heaven and earth and everything created.
- He has a plan—and that plan is good!
We know how the story ends.
*Why is it important to live in reverent fear of God?
It’s as if Peter remembered Jesus’ words in His last teaching to them before His arrest.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart1 I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
- By the time Jesus said this, He and the disciples may have left the upper room.
- As they walked through the streets of the city, perhaps He observed their surroundings as He spoke about coming and going and the world and its lack of peace.
- Jesus reminded His disciples to step into His peace in the hours and days to come.
- That place—in Jesus and with His Spirit—is where and how we can live in the situations Peter described.
Paul said it this way,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
*and all of Paul’s context in between*
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19).
*What does reverent fear of God have to do with having peace in this troubled world?
We question how we can possibly do this. God is quick to provide an answer.
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). 
- Peter quoted the passage from Isaiah that described Messiah’s role as a suffering servant.
- He continued Isaiah’s thoughts to describe Jesus’ role now as our Shepherd.
- Jesus watches over and cares for His flock the church.1
- Jesus is also the Overseer of our soul which circles back around to the topic of authority and Jesus as our perfect example.
- We will encounter and live under different types of authority in this life.
All of life is an opportunity to practice and learn to live a future with Jesus, the Holy One who is
“called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
Establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6b-7).
*How can Jesus’ example help us live at peace with others?
Preaching to myself here….
Don’t walk, run, to God and His Word and take refuge there.
It’s the only thing in our world that makes sense.
1 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 1191.