Subscribe: https://youtube.com/StJohnDC?sub_confirmation=1
The General Epistles of Saints James, Peter, John, and Jude, Part 5: I Peter 2-3
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)
January 23, 2024

Topics include:
(1) The Gospel is about how to live: not with malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander, but with a commitment to living a pure, holy life, as a child of God, not according to our passions and the ways of the world. It's all too easy to be a "super Orthodox theological expert", but if we don't live for the Truth, we betray the Truth; 
(2) We are to be those living stones that make up God's spiritual temple, that is to actualize being the body of Christ;
(3) On predestination: Those who reject God's call are not destined passively to do so, but actively refuse to believe in Christ. And so God, though patiently waiting for their repentance, allows them to follow their own will. Likewise, those who hear God's call and accept it are therefore a "chosen generation"; 
(4) The lusts of the flesh wage war against the soul. Christians must never capitulate, but live chaste lives. To capitulate is to deny the Resurrection and to participate in the Fall again. The passions lead us away from the spiritual life into demoralization and depression. Chastity is the mark of Christians; 
(5) On honoring the authorities and the Emperor; 
(6) On the graciousness of suffering unjustly and showing respect to our persecutors. In this we become like Christ, who followed that path before us. We should not fear our persecutors: the only judgement we should worry about is God's; Christians are to be united in mind, full of compassion and brotherly love, having tender hearts and humble minds; not repaying evil or slandering in return, but holding their tongues, blessing, pursuing peace, and doing good; We should be ready to give a gentle and respectful defense of our faith, to lead others to Christ, not with the arrogant and rude attitude of many of today's internet warriors; We are to keep a clear conscience, so that we are not ashamed of our witness; 
(7) The believing wife can sanctify the unbelieving husband by quietly showing respect and honor, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. She is to trust God and not fear. Likewise men are to pursue marital harmony, not letting their prayers be hindered; 
(8) Baptism is dying and rising with Christ, dying to the old man, resurrecting to the new man, being transformed by the remission of our sins; 
(9) The Church is like the ark by which Noah and his family were saved from the flood.