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Sanctify Christ as Lord - 1 Peter 3
Sanctify Christ as Lord - 1 Peter 3
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15 NAS95.)
Jesus is Lord. Everyone will make this confession (Phil. 2:11). He is Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16). Yet Jesus asked some who were following him: "Why do you call me Lord and do NOT the things that I say" (Luke 6:46). Such is blatant hypocrisy. Jesus can not, will not, be Lord in word only. Hence comes Peter's admonition that we are to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. This is something that we do by changing our basic mindset. We once lived for SELF, doing what WE wanted, living the way WE desired. When we came to recognize that Jesus has been raised from the dead and given all authority in heaven and upon earth, THAT way of thinking was to cease.
Paul stated this change in his life: "It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live, I live by the faith of Christ". So it must be with you and me.
Peter makes some specific applications of this concept in chapter 3.
· Wives are dressed with the inward character of a gentle and quiet spirit that is submissive to their husbands (1-4). Husbands honor their wives as special and unique in their lives (7).
· We live harmoniously among our brethren, being sympathetic, kindhearted, and humble (8).
· Living for Jesus, we watch our words (10) and seek peace by doing good (11).
· Since Jesus is Lord, we are willing to suffer according to His will (17).
Jesus, being Lord of all and having given the command to believe and be baptized, we readily obeyed (2:21).
Brethren, we need to remember that baptism in the name of Jesus is the beginning, not the end. While we often sing: "Believe, obey, the work is done"; I often think: "Believe, obey, the works begun". This is the emphasis that Peter is placing upon the believers. They ARE God's children having been born again. They ARE saved by the mercy and grace of God, having been baptized for the remission of their sins. NOW they are to set Jesus apart in their heart as Lord and be "obedient children" in everything (cp. 1:14).
He is Lord of all in your life, or he is not Lord at all.
Hugh DeLong
