The apostle Peter wrote to the elect sojourners (or exiles) in his epistles, instructing them on how they should live their lives—and even how to suffer as Christians without losing their way. As he wrote these epistles, Peter had in mind not only the people of the early church but also those who would hear these words in the future. All Christians should consider themselves sojourners on this earth, as our eternal home is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
With this in mind, how should we hold ourselves as people who are sojourners on this earth? The apostle Peter explains in detail how we should live the life of a sojourner.
Be Holy: Peter commands us to be holy by preparing our minds for action and being sober-minded (1:13–14). He echoes Paul’s statement in Romans 12:1, and in verse 14, he says we must not conform to our former passions of the world, but instead be holy as God is holy. Holiness suggests the idea that we are to be set apart and without sin in our lives, in hopes that we can be blameless before all those who see us in the world.
Living Stones: Peter calls the exiles “living stones,” which has multiple meanings for us as readers. In Acts 4:11, Peter says that Jesus was the cornerstone rejected by men, though chosen by God. Peter seems to compare us to Jesus by calling us “living stones.” Christians are stones being built up by God and made alive in Jesus. In the same way, we will be rejected by the world but chosen by God (1 Peter 2:4–5, 9). If Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, then as living stones, we are being built into the spiritual house of God, established on the firm foundation of Christ.
Submissive: Peter instructs believers in chapter 2 to be submissive to all authorities and to honor their masters. This means we have no right as Christians to act unruly or defiant toward the world’s leaders. Instead, we are to be submissive because God has allowed them to be in their positions of authority. However, we must always remember to follow God before we follow man.
Suffering: Lastly, Peter warns that we will suffer for righteousness’ sake. In this suffering, we must remain strong and bold in our faith, so that we do not waver or fail. We must be unified, empathetic toward others, loving, humble, and constantly seeking to glorify God in all that we do.
One final point: Peter instructs us to always be ready to give a defense for the reason of our hope (1 Peter 3:15). As exiles, if we live as Peter commands, people will take notice of the difference in us. That is when we have the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with them.
Christian Cherry
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.