The Letter of Paul to the Galatians was written some time around A.D. 48. Within that letter, Paul wrote this:
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Gal 2:11-14)
The First Letter of Peter (also known as Cephas) was written approximately 15 years later, some time around A.D. 62-63. Within that letter, Peter wrote this:
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Pet 2:12)
Peter was not a perfect model of consistency. At various times, his daily walk had not been in step with the gospel. His conduct among the Gentiles hadn’t always been honorable. And yet, he urges us to abstain from the passions of the flesh. He charges us to keep our own conduct among the Gentiles honorable. By what right? Who does this all-too-fallible man think he is? Why should I listen to him?
Nine verses later, Peter writes this:
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. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 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. (1 Pet 2:21-23)
Peter’s track record was far from flawless. Fifteen years prior to writing his first letter, he was guilty of acting like a hypocrite. Others were even led astray by his hypocrisy. But Peter hadn’t given up on Jesus and God hadn’t given up on Peter.
[Christ] 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. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Pet 2:24-25)
Peter wasn’t perfect, but he knew and trusted the One who is. By the wounds of Jesus, Peter was being healed of his hypocrisy. Because God’s Son was dishonored, Peter had the opportunity to learn, grow, mature, change, determine once more to walk in honor, and even encourage others to do the same. Peter knew exactly what it meant to “follow at a distance” (Mark 14:54) to the point of straying from the Shepherd of his soul. But Peter also knew what it meant to return and be forgiven. Despite his many flaws, Peter continued to be useful to the Master. And though he died a long time ago, he still speaks. Listen carefully to what he continues to share…
If you are a disciple of Christ, you are a sojourner and exile. This world is not your home.
You must abstain from the passions of the flesh. Unchecked, they will wage war against your soul.
We must all make the decision, day-by-day, day after day after day to keep our conduct honorable.
Some may choose to speak against us, even accusing us of evil. Keep shining. Continue speaking the truth in love. Be unashamedly distinctive. Why? Who knows whether someone might see our good works and be challenged to ask, “Why?” God has been glorified in countless, unlooked for, shocking ways throughout human history. Why couldn’t he use you or me to continue the glorious trend?
The day of visitation is coming. Some will be ready, some will not.
In the meantime, to this we have been called: God’s own Son did more than suffer for us; he left us an example and called us to follow it. He committed no sin. Deceit couldn’t be found in his mouth. He was reviled, but never reviled in return. He suffered, but didn’t retaliate with a threat. Jesus just kept doing the next right thing, entrusting himself to his just Father in heaven. His example has been preserved that we might walk the same path.
We haven’t always done that faithfully. We haven’t always acted with honor. Our foolish hearts have borne and shared the bitter fruit of hypocrisy. But God’s righteous Son bore the punishment we justly deserve. In Christ alone, a door of opportunity continues to be held open. This is its label: Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness.
By his wounds, we can be healed.
However far we may have strayed, however great the chasm of shame and regret, as long as this world stands and breath remains in our bodies, we are never beyond the gracious reach of the merciful Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
To this you have been called. Get in step with the gospel. Stay in step with the gospel. If you stray, return to the truth of the gospel. When life is tough, confusing, scary, or cruel, stand in the truth of the gospel.
Peter didn’t given up on Jesus and God didn’t given up on Peter.
Don’t you give up either.