Called to Righteousness
Our lesson from First Peter today actually starts at verse eighteen. We started on verse nineteen because that verse directs this text toward those Christians who are slaves. The writer, while starting with slaves, expands this text to include all Christians. Since the church has read this text as one that speaks to all Christians and the issue of slavery, those who picked what text we read chose not to include it as part of today’s lessons. While I have heard sermons about slavery proclaiming that the Roman system was not the same as that which the United States was founded upon, slavery is slavery and is never justified. It was wrong in Roman times and was wrong in the nineteenth century and is wrong now. The reality behind these verses is that many of the first Christians were slaves. Christians were a small powerless part of the Roman empire and could not change the reality of slavery. Instead Peter is speaking to Christian slaves answering the question, “What should they do when asked to do something against Christian belief.”
That question is not limited to slavery. It is a question that is asked of us in our lives as well. What do you do if your family, friends, teachers, or boss asks you to do something that goes against your Christian belief? Peter’s answer is, “Do not do it and suffer the consequences.” He is also reminding us that we are to strive to do good at all times. Whether we are slaves or free we are to be the examples of Christ.
The Early Christians in Acts tried to do just this. We do not know how long they were able to live sharing everything in common. We also know that few, if any, of the many Christian communities followed this example. Slaves would not have been able to. How long or how many communities did so is not the point. The point here is that they tried to show the realities of Jesus’ salvation by how they lived and treated each other. A side note here is that we also remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira showing us that not everyone was equally involved. This is just another example of how human sin can break apart a community. We live out our lives in the tension between sin and salvation.
Jesus warns us to be careful in our decisions. Be careful of following others who claim to offer salvation but are only thieves and bandits. There are many charlatans around. You know this and you have occasionally followed them. When you do make the mistake of following them, remember that Jesus was not only the shepherd but also the sheep gate. It is Jesus who lets his own in. You, who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, have been made one of Jesus’ own sheep. When you stray, Jesus chases after you and brings you back to the fold.
What is holding you back from sharing that gift with others? You are not living in a community of believers who share all that they have but are called to share what you have with others. You whose lives are easy compared to those early Christians are freer to share God’s love with others. You can even stand on a street corner and proclaim Jesus as Lord and savior to all the world and not be persecuted or punished. You have been freed by Jesus to take up your cross and follow Jesus to where he leads, sharing God’s gift of love with all.