Living Honorably: A Guide for Christians Today
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Living Water. Today, we explored the theme of honor as presented in 1 Peter. We began by discussing the book "Lord of the Flies" and its portrayal of survival in a hostile environment, drawing a parallel to the early Christians Peter addressed in his letter. These Christians, scattered across Roman provinces, faced persecution and needed guidance on how to live honorably in a foreign and hostile land. Peter's letter serves as a handbook for ambassadors of Christ, emphasizing the importance of living a life of honor so that God gets the glory.
Peter's mission statement in 1 Peter 2:11-12 calls Christians to live honorably among unbelievers, so that even if they are accused of wrongdoing, their honorable behavior will glorify God. He provides three practical examples of how to live honorably: in relation to government, in the workplace, and in the home.
First, Peter advises Christians to submit to governmental authorities, recognizing that all authority is instituted by God. This submission is not about blind obedience but about honoring God through respectful conduct, even under unjust rulers.
Second, Peter addresses household servants, urging them to submit to their masters, whether kind or cruel. This submission is a testament to God's grace and a commitment to endure suffering for doing good, following the example of Christ.
Finally, Peter discusses the roles of husbands and wives. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, not as a sign of inferiority, but as a reflection of their trust in God. Husbands, in turn, are to honor their wives, recognizing them as equal partners in God's gift of new life. This mutual submission fosters a loving and respectful relationship that honors God.
Peter concludes by addressing all believers, urging them to maintain unity, love, and humility, even in the face of persecution. By keeping their motives right and actions aligned with their calling, Christians can live a life of honor that glorifies God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Honorably Among Unbelievers: Christians are called to live honorably among unbelievers, so that their actions reflect well on God. This means maintaining integrity and good conduct, even when falsely accused, to bring glory to God. [37:34]
2. Submission to Governmental Authorities: Peter advises Christians to submit to governmental authorities, recognizing that all authority is instituted by God. This submission is about honoring God through respectful conduct, even under unjust rulers, and understanding that God uses these authorities to fulfill His purposes. [40:27]
3. Enduring Suffering in the Workplace: Peter encourages household servants to submit to their masters, whether kind or cruel, as a testament to God's grace. This endurance in the face of unjust treatment is a reflection of Christ's own suffering and a commitment to doing good despite persecution. [45:02]
4. Mutual Submission in Marriage: Wives are called to submit to their husbands, reflecting their trust in God, while husbands are to honor their wives as equal partners in God's gift of new life. This mutual submission fosters a loving and respectful relationship that honors God and serves as a powerful testimony to non-believers. [50:41]
5. Maintaining Unity and Humility: Peter urges all believers to maintain unity, love, and humility, even in the face of persecution. By keeping their motives right and actions aligned with their calling, Christians can live a life of honor that glorifies God and serves as a witness to the world. [58:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:33] - Introduction: Lord of the Flies and 1 Peter
[36:04] - Peter's Handbook for Ambassadors
[37:34] - Mission Statement: Living Honorably
[39:03] - Honoring Government Authorities
[45:02] - Honoring Authority in the Workplace
[47:27] - Honoring Authority in the Home: Wives
[50:41] - Honoring Authority in the Home: Husbands
[58:29] - Final Exhortation: Unity and Humility
[01:00:30] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV): "Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior and they will give honor to God when he judges the world."
2. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV): "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."
3. 1 Peter 3:1-7 (NIV): "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter mean when he refers to Christians as "temporary residents and foreigners"? (1 Peter 2:11-12)
2. According to 1 Peter 2:13-17, why should Christians submit to governmental authorities? [39:03]
3. How does Peter describe the behavior of wives and husbands in 1 Peter 3:1-7? [50:41]
4. What are the key characteristics Peter urges all believers to maintain in 1 Peter 3:8-9? [58:29]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize living honorably among unbelievers, and how does this reflect on God? (1 Peter 2:11-12) [37:34]
2. How can Christians balance submission to governmental authorities with their ultimate allegiance to God? [40:27]
3. What is the significance of mutual submission in marriage according to Peter, and how does it serve as a testimony to non-believers? [50:41]
4. How does Peter's call for unity, love, and humility among believers help them face persecution? [58:29]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to live honorably among unbelievers. How did your actions reflect on God, and what was the outcome? [37:34]
2. In what ways can you show respect and submission to governmental authorities while maintaining your Christian values? How do you navigate this balance in today's political climate? [40:27]
3. Think about your workplace. How can you endure suffering or unfair treatment while maintaining a Christ-like attitude? Share a specific example where you can apply this principle. [45:02]
4. For those who are married, how can you practice mutual submission in your relationship? What steps can you take to honor your spouse as Peter describes? [50:41]
5. How can you foster unity, love, and humility within your church community, especially when facing disagreements or external pressures? [58:29]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with submission to authority. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with Peter's teachings? [39:03]
7. How can you maintain a gentle and quiet spirit in your interactions with others, especially in challenging situations? What changes can you make to reflect this inner beauty that Peter describes? [50:41]
Devotional
### Day 1: Living Honorably Among Unbelievers
Christians are called to live honorably among unbelievers, so that their actions reflect well on God. This means maintaining integrity and good conduct, even when falsely accused, to bring glory to God. Peter's mission statement in 1 Peter 2:11-12 emphasizes the importance of living a life of honor so that God gets the glory. By living honorably, Christians can serve as a powerful testimony to non-believers, showing them the transformative power of God's grace.
Peter's letter serves as a handbook for ambassadors of Christ, emphasizing the importance of living a life of honor so that God gets the glory. By living honorably, Christians can serve as a powerful testimony to non-believers, showing them the transformative power of God's grace. This means maintaining integrity and good conduct, even when falsely accused, to bring glory to God. [37:34]
1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were falsely accused or misunderstood. How can you respond in a way that reflects honor and brings glory to God?
### Day 2: Submission to Governmental Authorities
Peter advises Christians to submit to governmental authorities, recognizing that all authority is instituted by God. This submission is about honoring God through respectful conduct, even under unjust rulers, and understanding that God uses these authorities to fulfill His purposes. By submitting to governmental authorities, Christians demonstrate their trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan.
This submission is not about blind obedience but about honoring God through respectful conduct, even under unjust rulers. By submitting to governmental authorities, Christians demonstrate their trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan. This respectful conduct serves as a testament to God's grace and a commitment to living honorably in a foreign and hostile land. [40:27]
Romans 13:1-2 (ESV): "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
Reflection: Reflect on your attitude towards governmental authorities. How can you show respect and honor to those in authority, even when you disagree with them?
### Day 3: Enduring Suffering in the Workplace
Peter encourages household servants to submit to their masters, whether kind or cruel, as a testament to God's grace. This endurance in the face of unjust treatment is a reflection of Christ's own suffering and a commitment to doing good despite persecution. By enduring suffering in the workplace, Christians can demonstrate their faith and trust in God's plan.
This submission is a testament to God's grace and a commitment to endure suffering for doing good, following the example of Christ. By enduring suffering in the workplace, Christians can demonstrate their faith and trust in God's plan. This endurance serves as a powerful testimony to non-believers, showing them the transformative power of God's grace. [45:02]
1 Peter 2:18-20 (ESV): "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God."
Reflection: Think of a difficult situation at work where you have faced unjust treatment. How can you endure this suffering with grace and reflect Christ's example?
### Day 4: Mutual Submission in Marriage
Wives are called to submit to their husbands, reflecting their trust in God, while husbands are to honor their wives as equal partners in God's gift of new life. This mutual submission fosters a loving and respectful relationship that honors God and serves as a powerful testimony to non-believers. By practicing mutual submission in marriage, couples can demonstrate their faith and trust in God's plan for their relationship.
This mutual submission fosters a loving and respectful relationship that honors God and serves as a powerful testimony to non-believers. By practicing mutual submission in marriage, couples can demonstrate their faith and trust in God's plan for their relationship. This mutual submission is a reflection of their commitment to living honorably and bringing glory to God. [50:41]
Ephesians 5:21-23 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with your spouse. How can you practice mutual submission and honor each other as equal partners in God's gift of new life?
### Day 5: Maintaining Unity and Humility
Peter urges all believers to maintain unity, love, and humility, even in the face of persecution. By keeping their motives right and actions aligned with their calling, Christians can live a life of honor that glorifies God and serves as a witness to the world. By maintaining unity and humility, Christians can demonstrate their faith and trust in God's plan for their lives.
By keeping their motives right and actions aligned with their calling, Christians can live a life of honor that glorifies God and serves as a witness to the world. This unity and humility serve as a powerful testimony to non-believers, showing them the transformative power of God's grace. [58:29]
Philippians 2:2-4 (ESV): "Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict or disagreement with a fellow believer. How can you practice unity and humility in this situation to bring glory to God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Live a life of honor so that God gets the glory. And you may read that mission statement and think the same thing as those early scattered Christians. Okay, Peter, so how do I do that? How do I live a life of honor so that God gets the glory?" [37:34] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "President Trump, authorized by God. President Biden, authorized by God. Whoever will hold the presidency this fall is going to be instituted and authorized by God. See, church, questionable government is nothing new. We can see it in our own history and we can see it in the history of the world." [40:27] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "People will not treat us fairly as Christians, church. And I'm sure you know that, whether or not you've experienced that in your workplace or have a friend who's felt that or even have just read articles of how Christians are treated other places. The world is not going to love us." [46:19] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Persecution will come in all forms and in all areas. But our job is not to retaliate, but to maintain our mission, to live a life of honor so that God gets the glory." [59:18] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? Church, but even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord and Savior." [01:00:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Peter introduced this idea in chapter 2, verse 11. He says, Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." [37:34] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A servant's honor, a servant's honorable conduct is a commitment to endurance in the face of persecution. And in the rest of the chapter, Peter gives the ultimate example of Jesus who never sinned or deceived anyone, who didn't retaliate when he was insulted or threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly." [45:40] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So a wife who is equal in spiritual identity with her husband, who is a co-heir with him in God's kingdom, is tasked with setting aside her desires and submitting to the authority of her husband. And guess what? This is supposed to be hard. This is sanctification working itself out against our sinful nature. It's going to be difficult." [49:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Peter closes his handbook of honor by addressing all believers. In 1 Peter 3.8, he says, Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing." [58:29] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If a man in his position of power cannot humble himself to understand and empathize with his wife as the weaker partner, then why would God in his ultimate authority and his ultimate power humble himself, to listen to the prayers and requests of a husband? I think that's the harsh truth. Is that we are to be holy as God is holy. We are to be loving as God is loving. And we are to show honor to others the way that God shows us honor." [57:48] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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