Tuesday, 29th September 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文
「惟有你們是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬神的子民，要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。」——彼得前書 2:9
引言
昨天我們從彼得前書第一章看見，彼得一直提醒這群信徒：你們已經不是從前的你們。你們蒙了重生，你們有了活潑的盼望，你們雖然活在地上，卻是客旅，是寄居的。
所以彼得才會說：「不要效法從前蒙昧無知的時候那放縱私慾的樣子。」
到了第二章，一開始彼得就說：「所以，你們既除去一切的惡毒、詭詐，並假善、嫉妒，和一切毀謗的話……」
這個「所以」很重要。因為第二章不是重新開始另一個題目，而是在承接第一章：既然你們已經有了新的生命，就不能再繼續用舊生命的方式生活。
所以惡毒要除去，詭詐要除去，假善要除去，嫉妒要除去，毀謗也要除去。但是彼得沒有停在「除去」。
第二節馬上說：「就要愛慕那純淨的靈奶，像才生的嬰孩愛慕奶一樣。」
這讓我們看見，基督徒的生命不是只有「不要甚麼」。如果我們只是一直把舊生命的東西拿走，卻沒有新的供應，生命仍然不會真正成長。
所以彼得第二章一步一步帶我們看見：新的生命需要被餵養，新的生命要在基督裡重新認識自己的身分，而新的身分最後一定要活在每天真實的生活裡。
所以今天我們要一起思想的就是：活出新的身分。
所以在第一點我們可以看見，新的生命首先要學習真正的渴慕。
第一、除去不是終點，渴慕才是成長的開始
彼得前書 2:1–3
彼得先說：「你們既除去一切的惡毒、詭詐，並假善、嫉妒，和一切毀謗的話……」
我們要先明白一件事情：除去，不是得救的條件。
因為第一章已經說：「你們蒙了重生……是藉著神活潑常存的道。」所以彼得不是叫一群還沒有得救的人，先把自己整理乾淨，神才接納他們。
而是：因為已經蒙了重生，所以舊生命的東西需要被除去。可是彼得沒有停在這裏。
他馬上說：「就要愛慕那純淨的靈奶。」這裏非常重要。彼得不是只告訴我們：不要惡毒，不要詭詐，不要假善，不要嫉妒，不要毀謗。
他更進一步問：那麼新的生命靠甚麼長大？
所以他用「才生的嬰孩」來形容。嬰孩最大的特點，不是他有多少能力。
反而是：他知道自己不能沒有奶。這也是屬靈生命真正成熟的開始。
很多時候我們以為成熟就是：我可以控制自己，我可以處理自己，我可以靠自己勝過。
但彼得提醒我們：真正的成長，不是我越來越不需要神。
反而是：我越來越知道，我不能離開神的供應。
第一章告訴我們，神的道使我們重生。到了第二章，彼得繼續提醒我們，要不斷接受從神而來純淨真理的餵養。
所以今天真正的問題不是：「我除掉了多少東西？」
而是：「我現在正在渴慕甚麼？」
是人的說話？是自己的情緒？是世界的資訊？還是神？
彼得說：「你們若嘗過主恩的滋味，就必如此。」
一個真正嘗過主恩的人，會開始知道：世界上有很多東西可以佔滿我們的時間，但只有從神而來的供應，才能真正餵養生命。
所以今天第一個提醒是：除去不是終點，渴慕才是成長的開始。而當生命開始被神餵養，彼得接著就帶我們看見一件更重要的事情：我們的身分究竟從哪裏來？
第二、新的身分不是從自己找到，而是在基督裡得到
彼得前書 2:4–10
彼得說：「主乃活石，固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。」這裏彼得首先講的不是我們。
而是：基督。
祂是活石。祂是被人棄絕的，卻是被神揀選、所寶貴的。然後彼得才說：「你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮。」
這個次序非常重要。我們不是先從自己裡面找到價值，然後告訴自己：「我是很重要的。」「我是很尊貴的。」
不是。
彼得說：因為我們來到基督面前，因為我們連於基督，所以我們才有新的身分。
耶穌是活石，所以我們在祂裡面成為活石。耶穌是房角石，所以我們的生命被建立在祂上面。
所以彼得接著說：「惟有你們是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬神的子民。」
這些不是叫我們建立一個更高的自我形象。彼得不是說：你很厲害，你比別人好，你要證明自己的價值。
而是在說：你現在屬於神。
所以第10節說：「你們從前算不得子民，現在卻作了神的子民；從前未曾蒙憐恤，現在卻蒙了憐恤。」
這就是福音帶來的新身分。
以前我們可能靠人的接受建立自己的價值。人稱讚我，我就高興；人不認同我，我就受傷；人拒絕我，我就想證明自己；人誤解我，我就想立即反擊。
為甚麼？很多時候，是因為我們仍然讓人的反應決定我們是誰。但是彼得今天把我們重新帶回基督。我的身分不是從人的接受而來。我的身分也不是從自己的感覺而來。我的身分是從基督而來。因為我屬基督，所以我屬神。所以真正知道自己是誰的人，不需要一直向人證明自己。
因為他知道：我是屬神的子民。
而當這個身分真正進入我們裡面，彼得接著說，這個身分就不能只停在頭腦裡，而要進入每天的生活。
第三、新的身分要在最真實的處境中活出來
彼得前書 2:11–25
到了第11節，彼得說：「親愛的弟兄啊，你們是客旅，是寄居的……」
接著說：「你們在外邦人中，應當品行端正。」
前面彼得一直在講：你們是誰。到了這裏，他開始講：既然你知道自己是誰，那你應該怎樣活？這就是彼得前書很重要的次序。
不是：先把自己做好，才成為神的子民。而是：因為你已經是神的子民，所以開始活出與這個身分相稱的生命。
所以新的身分一定要進入：我們的說話，我們的關係，我們的選擇，我們每天對人的態度。
彼得說：「你們在外邦人中，應當品行端正。」
也就是說：不要只用嘴巴證明信仰，要讓生命本身說話。
但是彼得沒有只停在平常的生活。到了後面，他開始處理一個更困難的問題：如果我已經行善，但別人仍然不公平地對待我，那怎麼辦？
這才真正考驗我們的身分。因為當一切順利的時候，誰都可以說自己相信神。
但是當我被誤解、被拒絕、受委屈，甚至受到不公平對待的時候，我的反應才真正顯出：我究竟活在誰的手中？所以彼得把我們帶回耶穌。
第21節說：「因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。」
彼得不是只叫我們忍耐。
他是說：看耶穌。耶穌怎樣面對不公平？「他被罵不還口；受害不說威嚇的話，只將自己交託那按公義審判人的主。」
這裏非常重要。真正成熟的生命，不只是我能控制情緒。
更深的是：因為我把自己交託給神，所以我不需要用罪惡的方法保護自己、證明自己、討回公道。
耶穌不是因為沒有受傷，所以不還口。而是因為祂知道：父仍然掌權。所以祂可以交託。這就是新的身分最真實的表現。
不是在我被尊重的時候，而是在我不被尊重的時候。不是在我被理解的時候，而是在我被誤解的時候。不是在事情順利的時候，而是在我受委屈的時候。
我仍然選擇：跟隨基督的腳蹤。
最後彼得說：「你們從前好像迷路的羊，如今卻歸到你們靈魂的牧人監督了。」
第二章最後的畫面，不是一個靠自己撐住的人。而是一隻羊，回到牧人那裏。
所以真正的成熟，不是：「我已經可以靠自己處理一切。」真正的成熟是：無論順境、逆境、被接納、被拒絕，我仍然知道要回到基督，仍然知道要把自己交託給神。
總結
彼得前書第二章讓我們看見一條很清楚的生命道路。
第一，除去不是終點，渴慕才是成長的開始。我們不是只處理舊生命，而是要讓神不斷餵養我們。
第二，新的身分不是從自己找到，而是在基督裡得到。我們不是靠別人的肯定決定自己的價值。我們是因為來到基督面前，才知道：我是屬神的。
第三，新的身分要在最真實的處境中活出來。尤其當我被誤解、受委屈、不被公平對待的時候，我是否仍然選擇跟隨基督？
所以彼得不是要我們努力把自己變成另一個人。
而是要我們：活出神已經在基督裡給我們的新生命和新身分。不是靠自己證明我是誰，而是因為知道自己屬誰，所以活得不一樣。
今天的主題是：活出新的身分。願我們不只是知道自己是基督徒，而是真的在每天的生活裡，在我們的渴慕、在我們的關係、在我們的反應、甚至在我們受傷的時候，
都讓人看見：我是屬基督的人。
省察
- 今天我的生命裡，有甚麼舊生命的東西，是神正在提醒我要除去的？
- 我現在真正渴慕的是甚麼？甚麼正在餵養我的生命？
- 我的身分是建立在人的接受裡，還是建立在基督裡？
- 當我被誤解、受委屈或受到不公平對待時，我是否仍然願意把自己交託給神？
- 今天我的生活，有沒有真正活出「我是屬基督的人」？
Key Verse
“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.”
— 1 Peter 2:9, NKJV
Introduction
Yesterday, from 1 Peter chapter 1, we saw Peter continually reminding the believers that they were no longer who they used to be.
They had been born again.
They had received a living hope.
And although they were living in this world, they were strangers and pilgrims.
That is why Peter said:
“As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.”
— 1 Peter 1:14
Then, as we come into chapter 2, Peter begins by saying:
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking…”
That word “therefore” is very important.
Chapter 2 is not beginning a completely new subject. It is continuing what Peter has already said in chapter 1:
Since you have received a new life, you can no longer continue living according to the old life.
So malice must be laid aside.
Deceit must be laid aside.
Hypocrisy must be laid aside.
Envy must be laid aside.
Evil speaking must also be laid aside.
But Peter does not stop at “laying aside.”
Verse 2 immediately says:
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”
This shows us that the Christian life is not only about what we must stop doing.
If we only remove the things of the old life but do not receive new nourishment, our spiritual life will never truly grow.
So throughout 1 Peter chapter 2, Peter leads us step by step to see:
Our new life needs to be nourished.
Our new life must rediscover its identity in Christ.
And that new identity must finally be lived out in our everyday life.
So today we are going to reflect on this theme:
Living Out Our New Identity.
So in the first point, we can see that new life must first learn what it truly longs for.
First, Laying Aside Is Not the End; Desire Is the Beginning of Growth
1 Peter 2:1–3
Peter first says:
“Laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking…”
We must first understand one important truth:
Laying these things aside is not the condition for salvation.
Chapter 1 has already told us:
“Having been born again… through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
— 1 Peter 1:23
So Peter is not telling people who are not yet saved to clean themselves up first so that God will accept them.
Rather:
Because they have already been born again, the things belonging to the old life must now be laid aside.
But Peter does not stop there.
He immediately says:
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word.”
This is very important.
Peter is not only telling us:
Do not be malicious.
Do not deceive.
Do not be hypocritical.
Do not be envious.
Do not speak evil.
He goes further and asks:
What will this new life feed on so that it can grow?
That is why he uses the picture of a newborn baby.
The greatest characteristic of a baby is not strength.
In fact, it is the opposite:
A baby knows that it cannot live without milk.
This is also where true spiritual maturity begins.
Many times, we think maturity means:
I can control myself.
I can handle myself.
I can overcome by myself.
But Peter reminds us:
True growth does not mean that I need God less and less.
Instead:
I become more and more aware that I cannot live without God’s provision.
Chapter 1 tells us that the Word of God brought us into new birth.
Now in chapter 2, Peter reminds us that we must continue receiving the pure nourishment that comes from God.
So the real question today is not:
“How much have I removed from my life?”
The deeper question is:
“What am I truly longing for?”
Am I longing for people’s words?
My own emotions?
The information of this world?
Or am I longing for God?
Peter says:
“If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
A person who has truly tasted the grace of the Lord will begin to understand:
Many things in this world can fill our time,
but only what comes from God can truly nourish our life.
So the first reminder today is:
Laying aside is not the end; desire is the beginning of growth.
And as our life begins to be nourished by God, Peter then leads us to an even deeper question:
Where does our identity come from?
Second, Our New Identity Is Not Found in Ourselves but Received in Christ
1 Peter 2:4–10
Peter says:
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious.”
The first person Peter speaks about here is not us.
It is:
Christ.
He is the living Stone.
He was rejected by men,
but chosen by God and precious.
Then Peter says:
“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house.”
The order here is very important.
We do not first look inside ourselves and discover our own worth, then tell ourselves:
“I am important.”
“I am valuable.”
“I am special.”
No.
Peter says:
Because we come to Christ, and because we are joined to Christ, we receive a new identity.
Jesus is the living Stone,
so in Him we become living stones.
Jesus is the cornerstone,
so our lives are built upon Him.
That is why Peter continues:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”
These are not titles designed to make us feel better about ourselves.
Peter is not saying:
You are amazing.
You are better than others.
You must prove your worth.
He is saying:
You now belong to God.
That is why verse 10 says:
“Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
This is the new identity the gospel gives us.
In the past, we may have tried to build our sense of worth on people’s acceptance.
If people praise me, I feel happy.
If people disagree with me, I feel hurt.
If people reject me, I want to prove myself.
If people misunderstand me, I immediately want to defend myself.
Why?
Very often, it is because we are still allowing people’s reactions to define who we are.
But Peter brings us back to Christ.
My identity does not come from people’s acceptance.
My identity does not come from my feelings.
My identity comes from Christ.
Because I belong to Christ, I belong to God.
So when a person truly knows who they are, they no longer need to keep proving themselves to others.
They know:
I am one of God’s people.
And when this identity truly enters our hearts, Peter tells us that it cannot remain only in our minds.
It must enter our daily life.
Third, Our New Identity Must Be Lived Out in Real-Life Situations
1 Peter 2:11–25
In verse 11, Peter says:
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims…”
Then he says:
“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles.”
Up to this point, Peter has been talking about:
Who you are.
Now he begins to talk about:
Since you know who you are, how should you live?
This is a very important pattern in 1 Peter.
It is not:
Live well first, and then you may become one of God’s people.
Rather:
Because you are already one of God’s people, begin to live in a way that reflects that identity.
So our new identity must enter:
Our words,
our relationships,
our choices,
our daily attitude toward others.
Peter says:
“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles.”
In other words:
Do not only use your mouth to prove your faith. Let your life speak.
Others may misunderstand you.
Others may speak against you.
But your life should show that something is truly different.
Yet Peter does not stop with ordinary daily life.
Later, he addresses an even more difficult question:
What if I am doing what is right, but I am still treated unfairly?
This is where our identity is truly tested.
When everything is going well, anyone can say that they trust God.
But when I am misunderstood, rejected, hurt, or treated unfairly, my response begins to reveal:
Whose hands am I really living in?
So Peter brings us back to Jesus.
Verse 21 says:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
Peter is not simply telling us:
Endure it.
He is saying:
Look at Jesus.
How did Jesus respond to injustice?
“Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
This is very important.
A mature life is not simply about controlling our emotions.
It goes deeper than that:
Because I entrust myself to God, I do not need to use sinful ways to protect myself, prove myself, or take justice into my own hands.
Jesus did not remain silent because He did not feel pain.
He entrusted Himself because He knew:
The Father was still in control.
This is where our new identity becomes most visible.
Not when we are respected,
but when we are not respected.
Not when we are understood,
but when we are misunderstood.
Not when everything is going well,
but when we are being treated unfairly.
Even then, we choose:
To follow in the footsteps of Christ.
Finally, Peter says:
“For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
The final picture of chapter 2 is not of a strong person managing everything by himself.
It is of a sheep,
returning to the Shepherd.
So true maturity is not:
“I can now handle everything on my own.”
True maturity is:
Whether in good times or hard times, whether accepted or rejected, I still know how to return to Christ and entrust myself to God.
Conclusion
1 Peter chapter 2 gives us a very clear pathway for spiritual life.
First,
Laying aside is not the end; desire is the beginning of growth.
We are not only dealing with the old life. We must continue to receive nourishment from God.
Second,
Our new identity is not found in ourselves but received in Christ.
We do not allow people’s approval or rejection to define our worth.
Because we have come to Christ, we know:
We belong to God.
Third,
Our new identity must be lived out in real-life situations.
Especially when we are misunderstood, hurt, or treated unfairly, are we still willing to follow Christ?
Peter is not asking us to work harder so that we can become a different person.
He is calling us to:
Live out the new life and new identity that God has already given us in Christ.
I do not need to prove who I am.
Because I know whose I am,
I can begin to live differently.
Today’s theme is:
Living Out Our New Identity.
May we not only know that we are Christians,
but may our daily lives—
in what we long for,
in our relationships,
in our responses,
and even in the way we respond when we are hurt—
show clearly:
I belong to Christ.
Reflection
- What part of my old life is God reminding me to lay aside today?
- What am I truly longing for? What is feeding my life every day?
- Is my identity built on people’s acceptance, or is it built in Christ?
- When I am misunderstood, hurt, or treated unfairly, am I still willing to entrust myself to God?
- Does my daily life truly show that I belong to Christ?
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