In the fourth chapter of his first epistle, in light of all that he’d written up to that point, Peter continued to unpack how the reality of Christ’s sacrifice should shape the day-to-day of the Christian life. Living under the shadow of the cross, Alistair Begg explains, means thinking properly, living differently, and being prepared to face abuse, even as we keep our eyes fixed on the end and endure the path of suffering laid before us.
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Sept. 8, 2025: Honorable Conduct
The believers of Peter’s day, transformed by God’s grace, faced inevitable accusations from the world around them. In response, Peter urged them to defend themselves not by arguing for their position but by living honorable lives. Alistair Begg walks us through the apostle’s teaching on Christian conduct in the realms of submission to civil government, servants’ duty to their masters, and marriage, helping us to see that the strongest missionary force in the world is not a method or a movement but a Christ-filled, grace-centered, attractive life.
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Sept. 8, 2025: Suffering for Doing Good
When believers face suffering, how are we to respond, and how are we to love and care for one another in the midst of it? The apostle Peter addressed these concerns as he wrote his first letter, reminding his readers to cultivate Christian character, love their enemies, commit themselves to doing good, and be prepared to explain their hope, all in view of Christ’s own suffering on our behalf. As Alistair Begg explains, for the Christian, suffering is inevitable—but how we endure it can, by God’s grace, testify to God’s glory.
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Sept. 8, 2025: Living Stone, Holy People
Having urged the readers of his first letter to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart,” Peter went on to explain what such brotherly love would entail. Alistair Begg unpacks the apostle’s instructions, which clarify that fellowship demands action. In their new life together, Christians must be prepared to feed themselves on God’s Word, establish themselves on the foundation of union with Christ, and stand as witnesses to God’s goodness and glory before a watching world.
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Aug. 28, 2025: New Life, New Lifestyle
After declaring the indicatives of what was true of them in Christ, Peter laid out several imperatives for the first-century readers of his first letter to take to heart. As Alistair Begg points out, his instructions—to prepare their minds, be sober-minded, set their hope on Jesus, be holy, live in reverent fear, love earnestly, and obey the truth—remind us today of our need for grace and of the abiding truth of God’s Word.
Truth For Life is the Bible-teaching ministry of Alistair Begg. The ministry's mission is to teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established and local churches will be strengthened. Join us as Alistair helps us apply the Scripture to our daily lives.
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