Living Before God In The World.

LIVING BEFORE GOD IN THE WORLD.

1 Peter 2:11-17.

Peter addresses his readers as “Beloved,” and encourages us “as strangers and pilgrims” to “abstain from fleshly lusts (or desires) which war against the soul” (1 PETER 2:11). The Apostle implores us to keep our conduct “honest” amongst the non-believers, even when they speak evil of us. Who knows when this might occasion conversion amongst the Gentiles, so that they might give good account when they come face to face with Christ (1 PETER 2:12; cf. 1 Peter 3:1-2)?

Reading from the Greek, 1 PETER 2:13-14 says, “Be in subjection therefore to every human institution for the sake of the Lord; whether to the king as supreme, or to governors as by him sent for vengeance (upon) evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

Attention to this duty is “the will of God” (1 PETER 2:15), and a way to silence the nay-sayers who might accuse Peter’s readers of being somehow unpatriotic (cf. Acts 17:7). We are reminded of Paul’s saying, that ‘the powers that be’ are ‘ordained of God’ (cf. Romans 13:1). It is interesting to notice here that both Peter and Paul (cf. Romans 13:3-4) upheld the very Roman justice system that would eventually be responsible for both their deaths.

Jesus said, ‘If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed’ (cf. John 8:36). But Peter warns us that we must not use our freedom as an excuse for wickedness (1 PETER 2:16). Rather, we are to remember in all our service – in state as well as in church - that we are “the servants of God.”

As Paul puts it, ‘ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake’ (cf. Romans 13:5). This reflects our attitude to sin: we hesitate to sin in this or any other matter, for example, out of fear of the consequences. But as Christians we also have an awakened conscience: we know in ourselves what we should and should not do.

In 1 PETER 2:17, Peter names four rules by which we should “with well doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (cf. 1 PETER 2:15). The first is “to “show honour to all.” This is to show respect to everyone, whoever and whatever they may be. After all, we are all the handiwork of God.

The second is “to love the brotherhood” (cf. 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 3:14).

At the end of 1 PETER 2:17, Peter puts the same two things together as does the Apostle Paul: “Fear God. Honour the king.” In Romans 13:7 Paul speaks of rendering ‘fear to whom fear’ is due, and ‘honour to whom honour.’

Jesus taught that the One to whom ‘fear’ is due is not man, but God (cf. Luke 12:4-5). “Fear God,” says 1 PETER 2:17.

Paul’s ‘Honour to whom honour’ refers to those who hold power. Supremely, according to Peter, this would be to “Honour the king” (1 PETER 2:17); but also “those sent by him” (1 PETER 2:13-14). We should respect their authority, keep the law, and pay our taxes.