Living as Free Exiles
Text: 1 Pet. 2
Introduction
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Notice that there is no asterisk next to this verse. It does not qualify that being free in Christ is contingent upon the behavior of those leading and governing the human institutions of society. If the Son sets you free, you are free.
Peter exhorts the saints to walk in the liberty of Christ even in the midst of tyrannical rulers. The Christians he addressed were exiled and subjected to the emperor, to governors, to masters, and even to husbands who were abusing the God-given authority they possessed. Yet, the exhortation remained: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).
The theme for today is living as free exiles—embracing the liberty of Christ that was purchased through His blood while following His example of honoring the human institutions of His day. To faithfully live as free exiles, we must engage in two simultaneous pursuits: making war and submitting to authority.
Make War
We love stories of men fighting battles to win their freedom. There is a certain kind of war being addressed here: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11). The war taking place is a war within the exiled believer. Exiles recognize the things wrong in society but often forget the things wrong within their own soul.
Earlier in the chapter, these passions and desires of the flesh are identified as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (1 Pet. 2:1). These sins dishonor God and destroy our human relationships. Consider how serious these are:
We make war against these passions. We are called to honorable conduct among the Gentiles—that is, among unbelievers.
Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, has taken the world by storm with a simple and clear message. The clarion call of this message is individual responsibility. Often, people ask him how they can make a difference and impact the world. Seeking sage advice, they inquire how they can have a great impact. One of his standard answers, which is also a chapter in his book, is to go home and clean their room. In a similar manner, one of the most important things we must focus on during our Christian journey is to clean our soul. Thankfully, Scripture provides guidance on how this is done.
We are cleansed and put away evil when we act like a baby, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Pet. 2:2-3). The metaphor used here is of longing for the spiritual milk of the Word, just as a baby longs for its mother’s milk. A baby desires milk so intensely that it cries when it needs it. Once it has the milk, it is satisfied because the milk is good. The Word of God should evoke the same desire in us. As those who are born again, our yearning should be for spiritual milk, and we should not be satisfied until we have it. Do you long for the Word of God in this way? If not, perhaps this is why you so frequently submit to evil. As D.L. Moody said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” Desire God’s spiritual milk. Act like a baby, and you will fight sin!
We fight sin by knowing that we are part of God’s construction project, “4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:4-5). God is building a spiritual house, with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Many have rejected Him and stumbled over Him, as prophesied. But those who believe are made into living stones with Him. In essence, we become a brick in this building. Out of this home, a new holy priesthood will be established, offering new sacrifices. A new race is formed through the bloodline of Jesus, a new nation from every nation, and a new people.
As part of this project, we must recognize that we are stones visible to the world. People may not see the chief cornerstone, but they see us. The pursuit of holiness stems from understanding that we are part of the spiritual house God is building. The angle many people have is that they can only see our stone, our brick. Do we present a brick that is cracked and on the verge of crumbling? This is why we pursue holiness and make war against our sin.
Submit to Authority
We are to be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution” (1 Pet. 2:13).
Authority is a gift from God, given for us to faithfully claim dominion here on earth. It is a gift. This letter clarifies a few areas of legitimate human institutions: civil government (emperor and governors), vocational government (master and servant), and family government (husband and wife). If we occupy a subordinate position within one of these institutions, we are called to be subject to them. Notably, those filling political offices, vocational roles, and heads of families in Peter’s time were often wicked and abusive in their authority. Yet, Peter exhorts believers to be subject to them.
This is an area where it is important to compare Scripture with Scripture to develop a well-rounded understanding of what is commanded. Is this a call for completely unconditional submission in every circumstance? Clearly, that cannot be the case. Peter himself resisted authority, saying, “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29). Paul resisted arrest by escaping from a city, as recorded: “But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket” (Acts 9:25). Jesus and Paul both acknowledged legitimate reasons for divorce: “He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery’” (Matt. 19:8-9); “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15).
Thus, unconditional submission is not the intended principle. However, within the context of this text, there are two clear takeaways:
Today, I want you to reflect on areas in the political sphere, your workplace, and your family where you may be rebelling when you should not be. While there is certainly a place for discerning when to rebel, for now, focus on when not to. When do we submit for the Lord’s sake? When should we relinquish certain rights and demands for His sake?
Prayerfully consider these questions and examine whether your posture is that of a rebel or a servant. Remember, I am thankful that Christ came to earth and took on the form of a servant so that you and I could obtain salvation. This is the message of this text:
“5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:5-11).
Conclusion
Recently, I have been listening to some books written by Coach John Wooden, widely regarded as the greatest college basketball coach of all time. He was also a Christian, and his perspective on life and coaching is both refreshing and insightful. One principle of his that I found particularly intriguing was his approach to competition. He did not speak in terms of beating another team or striving to be better than others. His logic was simple and clear: you can’t control how good someone else becomes. Striving to be better than another person could either stifle your growth if you have more potential or frustrate you if they have more potential. Instead, he encouraged his teams to focus on being the best they could personally be with the gifts and talents they had.
Similarly, as exiled Christians, we can’t control the actions of others. However, we can control our own actions. We can choose to make war with our sin and live in subjection to the authorities God has established, even when those in authority abuse their power. Our responsibility is to focus on our own obedience. God’s role is to change us and to change others. This is the essence of living as free exiles.
Introduction
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Notice that there is no asterisk next to this verse. It does not qualify that being free in Christ is contingent upon the behavior of those leading and governing the human institutions of society. If the Son sets you free, you are free.
Peter exhorts the saints to walk in the liberty of Christ even in the midst of tyrannical rulers. The Christians he addressed were exiled and subjected to the emperor, to governors, to masters, and even to husbands who were abusing the God-given authority they possessed. Yet, the exhortation remained: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).
The theme for today is living as free exiles—embracing the liberty of Christ that was purchased through His blood while following His example of honoring the human institutions of His day. To faithfully live as free exiles, we must engage in two simultaneous pursuits: making war and submitting to authority.
Make War
We love stories of men fighting battles to win their freedom. There is a certain kind of war being addressed here: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11). The war taking place is a war within the exiled believer. Exiles recognize the things wrong in society but often forget the things wrong within their own soul.
Earlier in the chapter, these passions and desires of the flesh are identified as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (1 Pet. 2:1). These sins dishonor God and destroy our human relationships. Consider how serious these are:
- Malice: Having ill-will or the desire to harm others.
- Deceit: Misleading others to believe what is false.
- Hypocrisy: Pretending to be something you are not, akin to acting on a stage.
- Envy: Feeling unease or discontent at the sight of someone else’s excellence, reputation, or happiness, often leading to hatred.
- Slander: Spreading false and malicious statements to damage someone’s reputation, expose them to punishment, or harm their livelihood.
We make war against these passions. We are called to honorable conduct among the Gentiles—that is, among unbelievers.
Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, has taken the world by storm with a simple and clear message. The clarion call of this message is individual responsibility. Often, people ask him how they can make a difference and impact the world. Seeking sage advice, they inquire how they can have a great impact. One of his standard answers, which is also a chapter in his book, is to go home and clean their room. In a similar manner, one of the most important things we must focus on during our Christian journey is to clean our soul. Thankfully, Scripture provides guidance on how this is done.
We are cleansed and put away evil when we act like a baby, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Pet. 2:2-3). The metaphor used here is of longing for the spiritual milk of the Word, just as a baby longs for its mother’s milk. A baby desires milk so intensely that it cries when it needs it. Once it has the milk, it is satisfied because the milk is good. The Word of God should evoke the same desire in us. As those who are born again, our yearning should be for spiritual milk, and we should not be satisfied until we have it. Do you long for the Word of God in this way? If not, perhaps this is why you so frequently submit to evil. As D.L. Moody said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” Desire God’s spiritual milk. Act like a baby, and you will fight sin!
We fight sin by knowing that we are part of God’s construction project, “4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:4-5). God is building a spiritual house, with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Many have rejected Him and stumbled over Him, as prophesied. But those who believe are made into living stones with Him. In essence, we become a brick in this building. Out of this home, a new holy priesthood will be established, offering new sacrifices. A new race is formed through the bloodline of Jesus, a new nation from every nation, and a new people.
As part of this project, we must recognize that we are stones visible to the world. People may not see the chief cornerstone, but they see us. The pursuit of holiness stems from understanding that we are part of the spiritual house God is building. The angle many people have is that they can only see our stone, our brick. Do we present a brick that is cracked and on the verge of crumbling? This is why we pursue holiness and make war against our sin.
Submit to Authority
We are to be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution” (1 Pet. 2:13).
Authority is a gift from God, given for us to faithfully claim dominion here on earth. It is a gift. This letter clarifies a few areas of legitimate human institutions: civil government (emperor and governors), vocational government (master and servant), and family government (husband and wife). If we occupy a subordinate position within one of these institutions, we are called to be subject to them. Notably, those filling political offices, vocational roles, and heads of families in Peter’s time were often wicked and abusive in their authority. Yet, Peter exhorts believers to be subject to them.
This is an area where it is important to compare Scripture with Scripture to develop a well-rounded understanding of what is commanded. Is this a call for completely unconditional submission in every circumstance? Clearly, that cannot be the case. Peter himself resisted authority, saying, “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29). Paul resisted arrest by escaping from a city, as recorded: “But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket” (Acts 9:25). Jesus and Paul both acknowledged legitimate reasons for divorce: “He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery’” (Matt. 19:8-9); “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15).
Thus, unconditional submission is not the intended principle. However, within the context of this text, there are two clear takeaways:
- Christians are not to be anarchists. An anarchist rejects hierarchy, claiming there should be no hierarchy in this world. Peter emphasizes that hierarchy is essential to humanity. God created hierarchy for our good. Christians should be known as people who are humble and willing to submit to authority. Christians are not scofflaws or perpetual rebels. Instead, Christians honor authority.
- All unjust abuse of authority should remind us of Jesus. Consider the laws imposed on us that seem unjust or drive us crazy. This text reminds us that Jesus was crucified by rulers who abused their authority, condemning an innocent man. In moments of injustice, we are reminded of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice under unjust rulers. “21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:21-25).
Today, I want you to reflect on areas in the political sphere, your workplace, and your family where you may be rebelling when you should not be. While there is certainly a place for discerning when to rebel, for now, focus on when not to. When do we submit for the Lord’s sake? When should we relinquish certain rights and demands for His sake?
Prayerfully consider these questions and examine whether your posture is that of a rebel or a servant. Remember, I am thankful that Christ came to earth and took on the form of a servant so that you and I could obtain salvation. This is the message of this text:
“5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:5-11).
Conclusion
Recently, I have been listening to some books written by Coach John Wooden, widely regarded as the greatest college basketball coach of all time. He was also a Christian, and his perspective on life and coaching is both refreshing and insightful. One principle of his that I found particularly intriguing was his approach to competition. He did not speak in terms of beating another team or striving to be better than others. His logic was simple and clear: you can’t control how good someone else becomes. Striving to be better than another person could either stifle your growth if you have more potential or frustrate you if they have more potential. Instead, he encouraged his teams to focus on being the best they could personally be with the gifts and talents they had.
Similarly, as exiled Christians, we can’t control the actions of others. However, we can control our own actions. We can choose to make war with our sin and live in subjection to the authorities God has established, even when those in authority abuse their power. Our responsibility is to focus on our own obedience. God’s role is to change us and to change others. This is the essence of living as free exiles.
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