Representing our God to the Lost
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:15-17 ESV)
We represent God to those who do not know Him. It is vitally important that we take this responsibility seriously. We know this because Peter puts this concept right up there with the "will of God" language that gets our attention.
And how do we do this?
By being subject "for the Lord's sake" to the authorities of our world. Today in America, this is easy to hear, for first century persecuted Christians, it must have seemed impossible. But yet it was the example set by Christ and commanded in the Sermon on the Mount.
But they were to see all authority as God's servants. God is sovereign over all. He has put in place what He has determined for His ultimate purpose. As with Pharaoh God has men in positions of power to ultimately get glory for Himself.
Of course there will be times when civil disobedience is trumped by Godly obedience. But we live as such because we know God's law is higher and more profitable than man's law. Later Peter tells us to "fear God" but not people. We can honor everyone but only God is worthy of our fear.
And how do we do this?
By being subject "for the Lord's sake" to the authorities of our world. Today in America, this is easy to hear, for first century persecuted Christians, it must have seemed impossible. But yet it was the example set by Christ and commanded in the Sermon on the Mount.
But they were to see all authority as God's servants. God is sovereign over all. He has put in place what He has determined for His ultimate purpose. As with Pharaoh God has men in positions of power to ultimately get glory for Himself.
Of course there will be times when civil disobedience is trumped by Godly obedience. But we live as such because we know God's law is higher and more profitable than man's law. Later Peter tells us to "fear God" but not people. We can honor everyone but only God is worthy of our fear.
When Peter says to live "good lives" in verse 12 the word can mean "beautiful" or "attractive." There is an attractive quality to trust in our God. It is a lack of trust that leads to crime and disobedience to governments in the first place. When we know our Father knows what we need, trust leads to the fact that we know He's above all and before all and Lord over all.
Doing this, Peter says will put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. In Peter's day and for a while the Christians were accused of all sorts of evil practices such as cannibalism and incest as they took the body and blood of the Lord in communion and called one another brother and sister in Christ. Yet our response is not to defend ourselves vocally against such attacks but to live righteously and peacefully.
Today we can see the world growing more secular. We also see Christians once again called names like bigots and haters. Our response is not protest. Our response is honor, love and the Fear of God. Without this, we aren't fulfilling His ultimate will. And worse, we give them more ammunition against our cause.
PRAYER:
Father, I get heated in the culture wars. I get bothered by politicians who don't side with my views. I get distressed by the shifting cultural norms in America. Help me do what this is saying. Help me live with Christ as Lord and Sovereign in my heart and mind. In His Name. Amen.
Doing this, Peter says will put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. In Peter's day and for a while the Christians were accused of all sorts of evil practices such as cannibalism and incest as they took the body and blood of the Lord in communion and called one another brother and sister in Christ. Yet our response is not to defend ourselves vocally against such attacks but to live righteously and peacefully.
Today we can see the world growing more secular. We also see Christians once again called names like bigots and haters. Our response is not protest. Our response is honor, love and the Fear of God. Without this, we aren't fulfilling His ultimate will. And worse, we give them more ammunition against our cause.
PRAYER:
Father, I get heated in the culture wars. I get bothered by politicians who don't side with my views. I get distressed by the shifting cultural norms in America. Help me do what this is saying. Help me live with Christ as Lord and Sovereign in my heart and mind. In His Name. Amen.
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