Introduction

Good morning. Today, let us delve into the second chapter of 1 Peter. If I were to write it, how would I approach it? I would identify a theme and build upon it, either relating to the first layer of the theme or the second, creating a hierarchy to clarify the matter. This is the result of training, education from primary school through high school, university, and the workplace, constantly being honed. The ability to articulate things clearly is a crucial skill. In 1 Peter chapter 2, I diligently sought a theme, which is to become a holy and royal priesthood, yet some elements seem out of place.

I particularly empathize with Peter, the rough-hewn fellow. Do not assume that a rough manner implies poor communication. 1 Peter is exceptionally well-written, with forceful and impactful language, but the logic is not always smooth. This presents a significant challenge: how to discern what Peter is truly conveying? He utters many golden phrases, but the logic is disjointed. If you are an educated individual, you may find Peter's discourse challenging because his words are individually sound, but their collective meaning is unclear.

Aesthetics is a profound discipline. An untrained person may find the cabinets and sofas in an IKEA store appealing, but upon bringing them home, they appear unsightly. Why do they differ from their appearance in the store? Writing is similar; each word may seem fine, but the overall composition is unattractive. Why? Because they do not harmonize. Peter has assembled these grand words, seemingly bold and resonant, together. If you write in this manner, it would undoubtedly be a poor piece because writing should be tailored to the content and its conveyance.

Yearn for the Pure Spiritual Milk, That You May Grow Up to Salvation

I will endeavor to assist Peter in clarifying his message. I ponder, if I were to meet Peter, would I say that one can grow solely by drinking milk? Must one not consume solid food? Because Peter, in his spiritual stature, has been drinking milk continuously, he has become proficient at it. Examine his teachings; where is the system? He spent his entire life in the church without achieving significant recognition. Peter's letter is addressed to Gentile churches. Was he not originally an apostle to the Jews? Why then write to these Gentile churches?

Peter believes in drinking spiritual milk, in yearning for pure spiritual milk, which sounds appealing. However, only infants require milk; adults need solid food. Would you still drink milk? Peter does not truly understand what pure spiritual milk is; he does not grasp its level. He merely finds the phrase pleasing.

Some churches enjoy praying in a circle, with each person offering a few sentences. Some, like Peter, are eloquent, stringing together beautiful phrases for an hour. I lack this ability. They use ornate language, saying, "God, we yearn for spiritual milk; we come before you to grow gradually." Although Paul also mentions the concept of gradual growth, even to salvation, Paul affirms that this is correct, growing into the full stature of Jesus Christ. Is Jesus a milk-drinking Jesus?

Untrained individuals may find these words excellent. I feel conflicted, wondering how to lead people out of Peter's state. They begin with grand spiritual terms, speaking eloquently for an hour. Is what they say accurate? I do not intend to criticize our pastors and colleagues; I am reminding you not to adopt Peter's habits.

If one speaks without a script, the mind becomes extremely confused, leading to reckless statements. Some junior pastors can speak for three hours without issue, even when reminded that it is time for a meal. They respond, "I am not hungry." They are reminding you that they are hungry! Why speak so much? Listing a plethora of grand terms may sound impressive, but it is self-contradictory. May God have mercy on Peter, and indeed, God had mercy on him, granting him the opportunity for martyrdom.

Therefore, to yearn for pure spiritual milk, what exactly is pure spiritual milk? No one knows, right? Is it Mengniu, Yili, or Sanlu tainted milk powder? Therefore, today, brothers and sisters, let us break through in understanding, that is, can you articulate clearly and understandably? Do not merely use a few grand terms to impress people; it is futile. Can you clearly express what is in your mind?

Trust in the Lord Jesus

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:1-5)

Peter trusts in the Lord Jesus, which is actually quite simple. Peter is too fond of wielding grand terms. I thought he was referring to presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. If I were present, I would pat Peter on the shoulder and ask, "What are you saying? What is a spiritual sacrifice? What is a living stone?" He cannot explain it clearly. In contrast, the Apostle Paul's words are somewhat meaningful.

But though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. (2 Corinthians 11:6)

What does this mean? Paul says that those people, including Peter, use many ornate terms, but the doctrine is not lofty; it is useless.

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:6)

That is, whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame; it is a simple matter. Why preface it with so much? I prefer directness. Circumlocution to appear lofty has harmed many children because these children have learned a plethora of flowery techniques that are useless in battle. In fact, to be a holy and royal priesthood, you must trust in the Lord Jesus.

That is how it is written earlier. Peter likes to use these terms, but the conjunctions have no logical connection to the following text. Reading Peter's writings is very laborious. You must expend great effort to understand what he is saying. Why? Because some things are strange. We have removed all malice, and only then do we thirst for spiritual milk. Do you not see the problem with this logic? We come to the Lord and are like living stones, being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Is this relationship not chaotic?

We trust in the Lord Jesus, put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit, and remove malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking by the Spirit. Then we eat more spiritual solid food, is that not sufficient? Why still drink milk? This is very confusing because he has not received education or rigorous training. With rigorous training, one speaks logically, with thought, not impulsively.

There are many who like to speak recklessly; I am here to address this problem. If you say to me, "The Lord is a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious," I would ask, "What are you saying? What are you trying to do?" "You also, as living stones, are being built up." People come before the Lord to be like the Lord, right? Also like living stones. What is a living stone? It is confusing.

"Being built up a spiritual house." What is a spiritual house? Is the Forbidden City a spiritual house? "A holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." What are you saying? "He who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame" has nothing to do with the preceding statements.

Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, putting to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit, destroying the worldly logical system, is that clear? Clear. That is what I say. If you ask me, "What is the worldly logical system?" It is this life, unable to see eternity.

Do Not Stumble at the Word

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8)

If you stumble, you are not a priest; you are bird droppings, dog excrement. Therefore, let us re-examine this matter, to continuously grow in the way of Jesus Christ, in understanding, to completely destroy the malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander within us. By the Spirit, put these things to death, and then present our bodies, how simple. As a holy and royal priesthood, why discuss stumbling? As a holy and royal priesthood, there is no need to discuss stumbling, but since Peter mentioned it, we will address it.

What did Peter say? To those who are disobedient, why discuss the disobedient? Are we not discussing the holy and royal priesthood? What are you trying to say? As if to set off the red flower with green leaves, or to set off the green leaves with dog excrement, what is the purpose? You are a royal priesthood, you are a king, you are extraordinary, that is how it should be said, right?

Our Lord Jesus has already paved the way for us to be a royal priesthood. This is no longer a matter of disbelief; it is a continuous elevation on the path of faith. All who are appointed to eternal life believe; speaking confusedly is confused. But I think, if you speak so confusedly, do you not need to train yourself properly? Can you articulate things more clearly?

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

What is this writing? Written to those Gentile churches because the Jewish churches have no members. If Paul were to see this passage, he would say, "Brothers and sisters, let us read what Peter has written. Can you understand it? I cannot understand it." Peter writes to Gentiles, wanting to establish his own mountain stronghold, wanting to show off, this is called showing off. If Peter were to come to Paul humbly and say, "Paul, I was wrong before. Now the Jewish churches have all collapsed. I think it is meaningless. I think what you say is correct. I think the church you built is good. Now I will follow you, I will inherit the theology you speak of."

Peter just loved to stir things up, even in private gatherings with fellow church members: "Hey, that Paul, so unrefined, going on about this and that. Look at my language – spiritual stones, spiritual sacrifices, living stones!" Alas, he swayed a whole bunch of people who were just like Peter. "Do not stumble on the true path" – honestly, there was no need to say that.

You Are Chosen to Proclaim God's Excellence

We are to proclaim the excellence of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. You could take Peter's writing to the greatest literary minds, and they would give it a thumbs up. Why? The choice of words is superb, isn't it? But the logic is a mess! The thing believers fear most is playing to the gallery, using big words to mask their ignorance. Because our Lord Jesus will reveal the secrets of the heart, many will rise, and many will fall. Why do people become like Peter? Because they are always putting on a show, and in the end, they fail at both the show and the substance, jumping from one thing to another.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Today, we must truly know that we are chosen. Look at the beautiful parallelism, like a declaration of our mission. The words sound so good!

Wage War Against the Desires of the Flesh

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11)

When do the desires of the flesh wage war against the soul? It should be the flesh against the Spirit. Our soul is inherently part of the flesh, so what he says is a bit nonsensical. "Abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul" – it just sounds odd.

The gospel of Jesus Christ relies on the Holy Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the body, not on our spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. We put to death the misdeeds of the body through the Spirit. Either you submit to the Spirit, or you submit to the flesh. To become a holy and royal priest, you must overcome the flesh, overcome those desires. If you have not yet overcome, work hard and press on!

Live Such Good Lives

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. (1 Peter 2:12-15)

Live such good lives – can we really do that? Can we, in our current state, really live uprightly? It's difficult. At work, when someone else gets promoted and you don't, or they get a raise and you don't, you're consumed with jealousy. Is that upright? Let's not waste words. Living uprightly is what you should be doing, isn't it?

We must realize that it's hard to do on our own, but we must have that pursuit, constantly aligning ourselves before God, straightening out those twisted thoughts and intentions. I used to stray far, but now I'm doing well to get back on track. Everyone, please be kind and help me. I hope one day I can reach that standard, but I'm still far from living uprightly.

Live as Servants of God

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:16-17)

Whether you are free or an unfree slave, maid, or servant, do you want to be a holy and royal priest? There is only one path to becoming a holy and royal priest: either be a servant of the world or a servant of God; either submit to God or submit to the world. To be a holy and royal priest, submit to God.

If you are writing something, write what is useful and leave out what is not. When writing an essay, don't bring in irrelevant things. If it's not related to your theme, even if the sentence is beautiful, leave it out because it's irrelevant. Peter seems to want to talk about becoming a holy and royal priest, but as he writes, he thinks a certain sentence is good and puts it in, another sentence is good and puts it in.

Do you know who ghostwrote for Peter? It was Silas. Who is Silas? Silas, like Mark, was with Peter for a long time and later followed the Apostle Paul. So Silas had one foot on Paul's boat and one foot on Peter's boat, and so did Mark. Why? Because when they heard Paul speak, it made sense, but when they heard Peter, oh my goodness, it was too lofty!

Silas toiled for a long time but couldn't quite clarify what Peter wanted to say, barely managing to put together 1 Peter. Silas was an educated and trained man, so he wrote it this way. After writing it, he read it to Peter the next day, and Peter said, "No, no, that's not what I meant. I meant this, add that sentence, and you can't delete this sentence." It's so hard to write something for Peter. Among us, there are many who pretend to understand, talking a lot and writing a lot, but their minds are not clear.

Submit Yourselves

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. (1 Peter 2:18-19)

After reading it, I勉勉强强 changed the theme to becoming a holy and royal priest, which is a very high title. But when you read this, it doesn't seem like it's about a holy and royal priest. It's like it's written for someone who doesn't believe very well. "Submit yourselves," and then a whole bunch of words that mislead many people.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

Is submission necessary? Yes. If it were me, I would say, "Be smart, not submissive." If the boss is harsh, be careful. You better be twice as smart as your boss, and then you can serve him.

Huawei has a CIO, a chief information officer, who is in charge of corporate digitization and enterprise application launches. He said, "The standard in our industry is that if you listen to the customer, you will soon be out of a job. If you don't listen to the customer, you will be out of a job even sooner." What does that mean? You have to understand the customer's business and solve their problems because the customer's mind may not be so sharp.

How was I trained before? I was a CIO in a company, so I had to be smart. I had to understand the business, figure out the problems the customer faced, and make what I did better than what they themselves thought. That's the key. Even so, I made myself unemployed because God had arranged a better job for me. So, "Submit yourselves" is a deadly phrase. Submission is for smart people; foolish submission leads to an early death.

Suffering for Doing Good

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats, but entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-23)

Suffering for doing good, OK, but what if you suffer for being foolish? What about suffering for foolish good deeds? That's troublesome. Someone sees an old lady fall on the street, helps her up, and gets extorted. If I teach you not to help, would you think I'm wrong or right? You might think from a moral perspective, "How can the teacher be so bad? Teaching us not to help old ladies who fall." If you get extorted and suffer, and then ask the teacher to pray for you, I would also say, "Oh, foolish!" Isn't it? In this environment, in this moral climate, you need wisdom and intelligence. What to do? Start recording while calling 120.

Don't you have to learn to be wise? Once Christians become foolish because of this teaching, suffering is not glorious at all. It's suffering brought about by foolishness. What is this doing good for? It's imitating Jesus Christ! Did Jesus Christ go around helping people on the street? No. What did Jesus Christ do? Jesus Christ came to build His body, build His church, train His disciples, and release the captives and the oppressed.

Even today, we risk serving these people. For example, if you lead them in prayer and they die, and the family says you prayed them to death and extorts you, what do you do? To this day, thank God, I haven't been extorted.

Follow Jesus Christ's Example

Christ also suffered, but His suffering was not the kind of foolish suffering you are talking about because Jesus Christ knew what He was doing. "That you should follow in his steps," imitate Jesus Christ. So, it's easy to read 1 Peter and James and become a fool. He who has ears, let him hear; if you don't have ears, forget it.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

Anyway, every three or five sentences, there are one or two useless, strange sentences. I reorganized this chapter and re-explained how to become a holy and royal priest.

May God bless everyone!

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