FOR THE LORD'S SAKE
1 PETER 2:11-17
1 PETER 2:11-17 NKJ
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
OBSERVATION:
One of the unique things about scripture is its ability to speak to the issues we are facing today. We are not the only ones having to deal with a secular culture that is anti-God.
Peter speaking to a church under pressure is encouraging them in how to approach and deal with the adversarial climate.
He begs them to abstain from giving in to their fleshly desires. These desires create a huge conflict with the heart.
Instead, have a conduct that is honorable, noble, and above reproach so that when the unbelievers speak against them, the good works they are doing glorify God. So right living overcomes negative slander. These believers could not stop people from talking badly, but their actions spoke louder than the negative words against them.
Peter encourages these believers to obey the governmental authorities. Not just the good ones or the ones they agreed with. And here is the motivation. For the Lord's sake. Not because it felt good or they wanted to, but for the Lord. Because they represented the Lord.
Verse 15 is a real strong spiritual truth. God's will for their lives was that their doing good would answer and silence ignorant, foolish people.
God had made them free, and yet they were to live as God's servants. And as God's servants, they were to honor people, love the family of God, and show honor to the king. All of this was to honor God and be a witness to the unbelieving world.
APPLICATION:
I continue to be drawn to these verses that emphasize how we are to live as God's people.
In our current culture that grows increasingly adamant in their protests and scorn for the church, we have an answer. But the answer is not to fight culture with words, anger, and indignation. Our answer is to live higher, better, and more honorable than those who oppose us.
It would be extremely helpful if the church, big "C" church, would stop fighting each other. Let's use that energy to do good and silence those who are ignorant and foolish. For the Lord's sake, let's live louder than we talk.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord help me to live a life that honors you and answers those who mock Your name. I willingly do this for Your sake!