Sunday, July 27 – 1 Peter 2, 3

1. What are those who belong to Christ called? (1 Peter 2:9)

2. What was Peter’s plea about? (1 Peter 2:11)

3. How do you answer the question in verse 20? (1 Peter 2:20)

4. What were we called for? (1 Peter 2:21)

These two chapters are genuinely fascinating. Let’s explore some key themes to spark curiosity and encourage you to read the entire passage, which I highly recommend. I’m sharing a few quotes to enhance today’s reading.

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11, NKJV)

Many believe this verse is only a warning against licentious behavior, but its meaning is actually broader. It condemns all harmful indulgences of appetite or passion. Every twisted desire turns into a fierce lust. God gave us the appetite for good a purpose, not to become an instrument of death when it is perverted, degenerating into “fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”

Peter’s warning is a clear and sincere plea against the use of stimulants and narcotics.

“The power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character. The continual transgression of man for six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruits. And as we near the close of time, Satan’s temptation to indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to overcome.” — Maranatha, p. 62

“The Bible teaches modesty in dress. ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.’ (1 Timothy 2:9). This forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite admiration, is excluded from the modest apparel which God’s Word enjoins.” — The Ministry of Healing, p. 287

“God, who created everything lovely and beautiful that the eye might be charmed, is a lover of the beautiful; but he would have us first seek the highest beauty—that which is imperishable. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that ‘meek and quiet spirit’ which in His sight is of great price. The costliest dress, the most brilliant jewels, the most splendid earthly decorations, are worthless in His sight. ‘Whosoever will come after Me,’ Christ said, ‘let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ (Mark 8:34). Self-denial is one of the conditions, not only of admission into the service of Christ, but of continuance therein.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 376

“How worthless is gold or pearls or costly array, when compared with the grace of Christ. The grace of natural beauty consists in symmetry, or the harmonious proportion of parts, each with the other; but spiritual grace consists in the harmony or likeness of our soul to Jesus. This will make its possessor more precious than fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir. Certainly, the grace of Christ is an invaluable adornment. It elevates and ennobles its possessor and reflects rays of glory upon others, attracting them also to the Source of light and blessing.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 180 (equivalent of Consejos sobre el Régimen Alimenticio, p. 398)

“In all respects our dress is to be characterized by modesty, neatness, and purity. But the Word of God does not sanction making changes in dress merely to conform to fashion, in order to be like the world. Christians should not decorate their persons with costly array or expensive ornaments. … All who sincerely seek the grace of Christ will listen to the precious lessons of instruction given by Him. Even in the manner of dress the truth of the gospel may be proclaimed.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 488 (equivalent to Testimonios para la Iglesia, tomo 2, p. 394)

“It is right to love the beautiful and to desire it; but God desires us first to love and seek the higher beauties that are imperishable. No outward adorning can compare in value or beauty with that ‘meek and quiet spirit,’ which in God’s sight is of great price. The outward adorning, the trimming of the dress, is not of so much consequence, if only the heart is kept pure and free from pride. This is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” The Adventist Home, pp. 287-288 (corresponds to Hogar Adventista, pp. 417-418)

“Let those who would love life, and see good days, refrain their tongue from evil, and their lips that they speak no guile. Let them eschew evil, and do good; let them seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 562, comment on 1 Peter 3:10–12

May God bless you in all things!