Sheldon used the inspirational stories as Sunday night sermons, attracting full houses. Later, the stories were published serially in a weekly Congregational newspaper called The Advance, then published as a ten-cent paperback novel called In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?

 

More than 100,000 copies were sold in a few weeks. The Advance failed to secure a proper copyright, however, and other publishers picked up the book, spreading its popularity. Eventually, the book sold more than 50 million copies, among the best-selling books of all time. A movement to wear “WWJD” bracelets in the 1990s promoted the same theme.

 

Sheldon was not the first writer to encourage such faithful following: in our text for today, the author of 1 Peter calls on believers to learn from Christ’s example and to “follow in his steps.” Our world is much different than first century Rome, but the challenge still applies. 

 

 

 

In 1 Peter 2:1-10, the author calls for his readers to discard sinful ways and seek spiritual sustenance as they grow toward maturity and ultimate salvation (vv. 1-3). He appeals for them to join together as living stones in a spiritual house that will honor Christ (vv. 4-8), regarding themselves as God’s chosen, holy people (vv. 9-10). [DD]

 

But what’s involved in upright, honorable, and God-pleasing living? By choosing to follow Christ, believers inevitably find themselves at odds with a culture that worships other gods, whether they are called Apollo or Dianna, Luxury or Pleasure. That makes Christ-followers “aliens and exiles” in their own land, surrounded by the temptation to behave in ways that “wage war against the soul” (v. 11). [DD]

 

Sinful behavior obstructs spiritual growth, so believers who seek maturity must work to overcome it. We don’t do it for eternal rewards alone, though. Living ethical and honorable lives also helps us to be an effective witness to others.

 

Supporters of Roman and local cultures in first-century Asia Minor might incorrectly accuse Christians of doing wrong, but the writer insisted that the believers’ good behavior would vindicate them and lead their neighbors to “glorify God on the day he visits us” (v. 12, probably a reference to the day of judgment). [DD] Whether he hoped former critics would glorify God because they had been converted or because they would confront their errors at the judgment is unclear. 

 

American Christians are rarely ridiculed for their beliefs, though some go out of their way to claim persecution. Have you ever been criticized for behaviors growing out of your faith? If so, how did you respond?

 

 

Christians owe their ultimate loyalty to Christ, but we also live under the authority of earthly institutions. The author of 1 Peter insisted that believers acknowledge governmental authorities and submit to them, even when such leaders were self-serving. Model behavior on the part of Christians could promote the faith and show they were not a threat to the government. 

 

“Accept the authority of every human institution” (NRSV) could be translated “be subject to every human creation.” Since the writer goes on to talk about relationships involving governing authorities (2:13-17), masters with slaves (2:18-21), and family members (3:1-7), he probably has the institutional sense of the word in mind (v. 17). 

 

Readers were addressed as “aliens and sojourners,” suggesting that most of them were low on the social or economic totem pole. They had little choice but to live in submission to the authorities of the city-state in which they lived. 

 

The author offers a rationale for respecting governmental authorities: “It is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish” (v. 15). In other words, respect for authority has its roots in God’s will, not the leaders’ worthiness. Governmental systems and their leaders are inevitably imperfect, but well-intended authority is still preferable to anarchy. [DD]

 

Though free in Christ, believers are to live as responsible citizens who do good rather than evil. In this way, no one would have grounds to condemn them. 

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is liberating. It assures women and men of all stations in life that they are people of dignity and worth. The writer knew, however, that freedom has a dangerous side. Those who have been liberated by the gospel may be tempted to live without restraint, and to use the promise of forgiveness as an excuse to sin. So, he cautions against using Christian freedom as a pretext for evil (v. 16).

 

The author fleshes out what it means to live as servants of God with a string of four imperative instructions (v. 17). First, Christians are to show respect to all people, reflecting God’s love for everyone. 

 

Secondly, believers are to have a special love for their Christian family. The word “church” does not appear in this letter, but the author urges believers to love the “brotherhood,” which NRSV renders as “the family of believers.” 

 

The word for “love” is from agapē, a word that was given a distinctively Christian meaning. It is used in the New Testament to describe the unconditional love of Jesus, which he calls us to share with others.

 

While loving others, Christians are to reverence God (the third imperative). The phrase could be translated as “fear God,” but the author is not suggesting that we live in terror before the Almighty. Thoughtful believers live in awe of God’s majesty as creator, sustainer, and ultimate judge. Our greatest reverence belongs to the one who has the final word. [DD]

 

The fourth imperative again references the emperor, who is to be honored – though not revered. At times the Roman Empire treated its potentates like gods, instructing all subjects to worship the emperor by offering incense and saying “Caesar is Lord!” 

 

There are limits to governmental submission: reverence and worship are reserved for God alone. One’s proper attitude to governing authorities is described with the same word of respect used at the beginning of the verse: believers can honor people in high office without worshiping them. [DD] 

 

 

 

The next few verses are difficult for modern readers. In the first century world, slavery was pervasive and imperial Roman society depended on it at every level. Slavery was not related to race or ethnicity: the greatest number of slaves were captured in wars and forced to serve the victors. A thriving slave trade bought and sold persons. One could become a slave through kidnapping, being abandoned by parents, being born to a slave mother, or even as a criminal punishment. Though as distasteful then as now, slavery was ubiquitous and regarded as a reality of life. [DD]

 

In a slave-based society, any discussion of relationships and authority would include slaves. In contemporary society, most people consider slavery to be abhorrent, but it still exists. By some estimates, many thousands of people still live in involuntary servitude, forced into sex work or thankless labor. [DD]

 

Peter knew that many of his readers were literally in bondage to others: the Christian message of freedom in Christ was popular among slaves. The author neither condoned nor condemned the practice, but encouraged Christian slaves to be patient and respectful to their masters, including those who were harsh (2:18-20). Even when mistreated, believers should remain faithful to God and not give in to the temptation of retribution, he wrote. [DD] 

 

The thought of Christian slaves suffering unjustly led Peter to call upon Christ’s example as a model for believers to follow (v. 21). When suffering comes our way – including undeserved suffering – we are to bear it with grace, trusting that our perseverance will find favor with God and sow seeds of grace in the lives of those who harm us. 

 

To reinforce his position, in vv. 22-25 the author quotes loosely from Isa. 53:7-9, understood by the early church as a prophecy of Christ’s patient endurance in the face of unjust suffering. Interspersed within the citation, the author added his own commentary. As Christ’s suffering was redemptive, he says, so believers should live righteous lives and inspire their persecutors to have faith. 

 

In other words, the writer calls for a Jesus-centered approach as we live and work under the authority of others, whether it is our parents or teachers, our supervisors at work, or governmental authorities. The author believed that the way believers comport themselves as cooperative people could have a positive effect on every level. 

 

What kind of influence are you having?