The Peter Principles

“To this you were called.” (1 Peter 2:21, NIV 1984).

My Musings – To what? To “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV 1984). How do we do that?

“Live such good lives among [unbelievers] that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11–12, NIV 1984). Would that we did a better job of this than we sometimes do. When we do not, how could we ever expect them to “glorify God” or become prepared for “the day He visits us.”

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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.” (1 Peter 2:13–14, NIV 1984). It is “for the Lord’s sake.” Because every authority that is instituted, is instituted by God for His own good purposes. This does not mean that every authority sent by Him will always “punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right,” or that the authorities themselves will not ever “do wrong” or will always “do right.” Afterall, Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, and no kingdom of this world will ever be totally free of evil. Nor does it mean that we should submit to the evil that the authorities might institute. For, Peter also instructs us that when what is “instituted among men” clashes with God’s Holy Word, “we must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29, NIV 1984).

“Live as free men [and women], but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16, NIV 1984). For as free men and women, we have freedom of choice. But as followers of Christ, we should follow His example, by choosing to do the Father’s will. Even when the Father’s will and Christ’s example are in opposition to what our sin nature might otherwise wish to choose.

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:16, NIV 1984). Everyone includes unbelievers. Despite the fact that sometimes believers are unlovely. A holy fear that stands in awe of a wholly righteous and omnipotent God. Honor to the king or ruler, for the position they might hold, not for the dishonorable things they might do or command.

“[Employees], submit yourselves to your [bosses] with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man [or woman] bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he [she] is conscious of God.” (1 Peter 2:18–19, NIV 1984). If we are indeed “conscious of God,” then we are also conscious of the unjust price Jesus paid to redeem us. “He did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.” (Acts 8:32–33, NIV 1984). So, we submit, and we respect both the considerate and the harsh.

My Advice – Christ “[left us] an example, that [we] should follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, NIV 1984). That we should “[entrust ourselves] to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23, NIV 1984). That we should “die to sins and live for righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV 1984).

These are the spiritual “Peter Principles.” That once “promoted” to believers in Christ, we rise to a level of spiritual competence that we could not have achieved without the influence of the Holy Spirit that now lives in us.