“Separated and Alive” – 1 PETER 2:16-25

It all goes back to the cross (2:24).

His purpose was to separate us from death-dealing sin and join us to life in His righteousness. His price was His blood. The “limited” commission and the “help” in feeding the 5000 were the training ground for the disciples to learn how to live the righteousness of Christ after His ascension.

Because of the cross we are not alone.

Jesus is our Shepherd and the overseer (“Bishop”) of our soul as we live in separation from sin (2:25). What does that mean?

First, it does not mean that we are freed (“separated”) to go our own way, instead we are freed to serve God (2:16). Our Christian liberty dictates that we serve God by “estimating the value” (“honor”) of people and render due respect as Christ oversees. Our Christian liberty dictates that we selflessly love (“agape”) the Lord’s church as He watches over us. Our Christian liberty dictates that we conform to God’s will in all things because He is God, and He is observing how we are doing. Our Christian liberty dictates our fruitfulness as “salty” citizens sojourning in this world while under the gaze of the Good Shepherd, the Lord of lords and King of kings (2:17).

Second, separation from sin and new life in righteousness means that we must lean on the strength which God supplies to stand strong in the faith (2:18) serving others as we serve God in Christ Jesus. The mercy and grace poured out on us through Jesus is not to be expected from the world (2:19). Our Christian liberty precludes our grumbling about it (2:20). Why?

It all goes back to the cross, where Jesus suffered wrongly and was abused (2:21-23) to separate us from sin.

He was raised from death to make us alive unto righteousness. Reviling, threatening and deceiving are in no way the actions of a saint liberated from sin. These are the ways of the ones who wrongly condemned our Savior and nailed Him to a cross.

Finally, our service and patient endurance of suffering on this earth are actually one and the same. The cross changed everything. Nothing we endure can compare to the cross. Nothing others do to us can undo the cross. However men may judge us, we simply follow the footsteps of our Lord and give ourselves over to the righteous Judge … our Shepherd … the One who oversees our souls (2:21).

It all goes back to the cross … you know, the one YOU must bear.