"The other day I wrote about the influence of pragmatism on the American church. We want our faith to “work” well for us, to make our lives shiny and happy and perfect, which seems to be a good formula until you come to a book like 1 Peter.
“God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment… if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you” – 1 Peter 2:19,20
This letter was written by Peter to the followers of Christ who had been scattered, due to persecution, all around Asia Minor. This community is trying to live out, the best way they know how, their understanding of the cross in the light of the Sermon on the Mount: "You have heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say...do not retaliate, love your enemies."
Jesus does not appeal to pragmatism in the Sermon. He didn’t say, “it makes good sense to make peace with someone who has wronged you” or “carry your enemy’s pack because such an act will help to uncover the basic humanity of that person.” Rather, the disciples are to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, avoid promiscuity, and remain faithful to their marriage vows because God is like this.
Notice, Peter doesn’t give advice on how to reduce stress, or make your problems go away, or give a five-point plan on managing your life. No he tells us to be submissive… and to patiently endure suffering. Why? Because “Jesus is Lord!” and Jesus is like this.
Peter says that we are to respect all human authority … “for the Lord’s sake” (2:13). We should respect the king... not in hope’s of getting something in return but because of our “fear and respect for God” (2:17). We should accept authority from slavemasters, not only if they are kind, but even if they are cruel, “for God is pleased when we patiently endure unfair treatment” (2:19)
As disciples we do these things because this is what the Kingdom of God looks like.
But these words fly in the face of everything we value as Americans -- Free speech; the right to pursue happiness; the right to hot French fries; the right to yell at a customer service agent who is rude; the right to submit a grievance to HR when our manager holds us accountable for actually doing our job.
If we truly believed and lived this message we would be radically different from our world because the message of the Kingdom turns our world upside-down. It shows the world to be foreign, an odd place -- where what makes sense to everybody else is revealed to be opposed to what God is doing among us.
As citizens of heaven we are foreigners here on earth. We take our identity and our mission from another place. Peter is calling Christians to give up striving for power and authority over human beings and instead pursue the good of others.
Peter is not condoning or condemning slavery, he is telling us how to live our Christian life, in a Godly manner; in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, especially when we are in difficult circumstances, and as followers of Christ that will certainly include suffering.
So for our American minds, pre-programmed to find truth in what “works” this is pretty radical thinking. We’re not even sure that to “patiently endure unfair treatment” is a noble thing to do. We’ve got to fight for our right to party.
Even if Peter could convince us, how would we pull this off?
Where can I go to find the strength to smile when someone cuts me off in traffic? How can I be gracious when my manager gives me twice the workload of my co-workers and pays me half as much? How can I love my neighbor when he neglects his yard and decreases my property value?
Peter actually shows us three important ways in this short letter: Christ’s example, the Church, and our hope for salvation."
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Thanks, Paul!
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