Proper Conduct as Obedient Children 1 Peter 1:14-21

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Proper Conduct As Obedient Children (1:14-21)

In our previous study, we saw from verse 13 that we have the responsibility to fortify the focus of our hope and set it fully upon the grace that we are to receive when Jesus comes again. Another responsibility we have as Christians is to conduct ourselves as "obedient children" - 1 Pe 1:14 “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:”. While the need to be obedient is often misconstrued by some as sounding legalistic, it is stressed in the New Testament nonetheless - He 5:9 “and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;”; 2 Th 1:8 “rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:”

In what way are we to be obedient? There is much the Bible has to say on the subject, but in this lesson we shall focus our attention to 1 Pe 1:14-21, where we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" has both negative and positive connotations (both "thou shalt nots" and "thou shalt"). For example, we learn from verse 14 that as "obedient children" we are not to conform to former lust. My understanding of what Peter is saying is from the word "conform" ("fashion" in the KJV), which means "to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern". The "former lusts" refer to the evil desires and behavior in which we once engaged, and in which the world continues to engage. In essence, then, Peter is saying: "Don't act like you once did, or like those still in the world." "Do not adopt their sinful habits, mannerisms, dress, and speech, which you did before you became Christians."

By applying what Peter is saying we will not seek to act like those who are not Christians. For Christians are not to be "conformists", but true "non-conformists", or "transformists" as Paul writes - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” "Conformists" simply imitate others, sometimes claiming to do so only outwardly. But "transformists" are those who: Have undergone a true change on the "inside" and who manifest the difference on the "outside"

To behave properly as "obedient children", then, we need to be sure we are not adopting the sinful habits or mannerisms of those in the world. Like accepting the popular fashions of our society which appeal to fleshly desires: Such as, short dresses, tight "designer jeans", and other immodest apparel. Christians, rather than conforming, are to adorn themselves in modest apparel - 1 Ti 2:9-10 “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.” Like filling our speech with suggestive language or jokes - Ep 4:29 “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.”; 5:3-4 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.” Or delighting in various forms of entertainment which cater to fleshly desires - Ph 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

But too many Christians DO conform to the world and its lusts.... Therefore it is not surprising to hear many becoming entrapped by the world as is indicated by the rise of marital unfaithfulness and divorce. So Christians need to heed what Peter is saying (as well as what was said by John - 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

In a more "positive" vein, we learn from verses 15-16 that as "obedient children" we are to be holy in our conduct. The word "holy" is closely related to the words "sanctify" and "sanctification". All of which stress the idea of being "set apart". To be "holy", then, means that we are "set apart" or dedicated to God. We are to be "holy" for two reasons. The first reason is that given in our text: "For I (God) am holy." The God who has called us through His gospel is a holy God. He Himself is "set apart" from sin and wickedness. His very nature demands a similar holiness on our part - cf. He 12:14 “Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:” It is also Jesus' desire that we be holy (He died for this very purpose!) - cf. Ep 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

We need to also note that we are to be holy in "all" our conduct. Holiness is not something we put on when convenient, like on Sundays. Instead, our daily life, our entire conduct is to be "set apart" in service to the Lord - Ro 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” For this to be true, every aspect of our life must be in harmony with God's demand for holiness! This means our work, our speech, our dress, our recreation. ALL should be in harmony with the principles of God's Word. Even the most mundane things, when done in keeping with God's Will, become a part of our holy service to God! Can it be said of our lives, that we are holy in all our conduct? Do we go about our business, our play, with the thought of being "set apart" to the Will of God, so that it is evident in our business or play? I am sure that all of us can improve in this area of our service as "obedient children"!

There is one more point that can be made in reference to our conduct as "obedient children", taken from verses 17-21. We must conduct ourselves in fear. As pilgrims, "fear" has a proper place during our sojourn as we live in this world. Even as Jesus taught His disciples - Mt 10:28 “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” And as Paul wrote the Philippians - Ph 2:12 “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

Peter gives us two reasons for such "fear" in our text. First, in view of the judgment by our Father - 1 Pe 1:17 “And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:”. God will not be partial - "without partiality". God will be personal in His judgment - "judges according to each one's work" -- No one will receive special favors, no one will escape His discerning eye! Second, in view of the high cost of redemption - 1 Pe 1:18-21 “knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.”

We were not redeemed from our sins with silver or gold, but only by the precious blood of Christ!
1) Who was without blemish and without spot
2) Who was foreordained to die for our sins before the world began
3) Who came to this earth for our sakes
4) By whom our faith and hope are in God!
Any Christian who does not conduct himself in a manner appreciative of the price paid for his sins, can expect a fate worse than death if he does not repent! - He 10:26-31"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

From verses 14-21, then, we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means that we are not to conform ourselves to former lusts. We are to be holy in all our conduct. We are to conduct ourselves in fear. Paul said much the same thing in writing to the church at Corinth:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Co 7:1) This we cannot do on our own, but by the redeeming grace of God.... We can be forgiven by the precious blood of Christ. We can be strengthened by the power of His Spirit to live the sort of lives pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Have you responded to the grace of God in order to receive such wonderful blessings? - Ac 2:38