1 Peter: Peace in ExileSýnishorn

Beloved and Urged

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable. (v. 12)

Peter was assuming several things as he wrote to Christian brothers and sisters in his day, and I am certain he would make the same assumptions about us in our day. He assumes that (1) we will live in exile, (2) the comforts of being constantly in the fellowship of Christian believers will not be our normal experience, and (3) we will remind ourselves, over and over again, who we really are. In doing this Peter is following the example of Jesus. In fact he might even have had in mind the moment Jesus said to him, “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18).

I have a very gracious and thoughtful friend who cares for me deeply and prays for me regularly. One of the gifts he has is the gift of encouragement and affirmation. After I have been with him, I always leave feeling bigger, better, even braver than before we met.

Often I need to drive some distance from home. As I write this devotional I can hear his voice, saying, “Drive carefully and return home safely. You are loved and needed here!” Isn’t that a beautiful thing to say? It is, and what’s more, it’s a biblical practice being modeled beautifully by Peter: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles . . . keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

As you pray, ask God to urge you to remind fellow believers who they are and whose they are.