I’d like us to pause today in the section of Peter’s letter that we have read over the last few days. The instructions here work against a mindset that is all too prevalent in our society, even amongst Christians. We are a rights-oriented society. This is appropriate in an important sense. In fact, the very idea of human rights flows from the biblical notion of human sacredness and equality. It is important that we treat all people as sacred, so human rights are indeed something we should advocate. The problem comes when we emphasise our own rights while excluding our responsibilities. The same human dignity demands both responsibilities and rights. In fact, Jesus calls us to be willing to give up our rights in order to fulfil our responsibilities if that should be required. Jesus himself did that (Philippians 2:5-8). And he calls us to be prepared to do the same (Matthew 16:24-25). This is what Peter is asking of these early Christians in his letter. He recognised that women have a right to be treated as equal to men and that slaves had a right to be treated with the same respect as their masters. But Peter asks them to “bear up under the pain of unjust suffering” for the sake of their witness to Christ. Would God ask us to make such great sacrifices for the sake of our witness? We aren’t used to this way of thinking. We are quick therefore to demand our rights and claim our entitlements. Are we missing something?
Reflect on what sacrifices you make for the gospel.
Read 1 Peter 2:11-3:22 again
