Year One, June 28

Fear God. Honor the Emperor1

1 Peter 2:13-25

13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, (True religion is always the friend of peace and liberty. The gospel does not encourage lawlessness and the Christian does not start fights.) whether it be to the emperor2 as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (Civil government is necessary for the well-being of mankind, and those who delight in the law of the Lord are among the last to wish to see its power weakened, or its police officers hated. We would rather suffer because of a few bad laws, than see our country terrorized by lawless mobs.)

15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (Others are quick to speak against our holy faith. In Peter’s day Christians were accused of being opposed to the government. The constant obedience of Christians to the laws of the countries they lived in was the most convincing answer to the people who thought they wanted to overthrow the government.) 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (Believers are the freest of people, but they know the difference between liberty and ignoring the law. As servants of the Lord, they agree to obey laws made to keep the peace in their country. The reason they do is because their Great Lawgiver commands them to.) 17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (Four general principles that are intended to balance one another. There should be a blending of all of them in our lives. We are to honor not only our country’s leaders, but everyone. Every human being should be treated with respect. Not just rich people or those who always wear the latest style, or who are admired by the world, but poor people and those who wear secondhand clothing and do not seem to have friends. We are all created in the image of God and we should treat everyone in the best way we can.)

18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? (Ordinary people can do that, but Christians are extraordinary people and must rise to the highest point of goodness.) But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (Many will say, “If I deserve to be punished, then I will live through it without complaining.” That is obviously the right thing to do. If we are wise, we can put up with suffering patiently even when we see no reason for deserving such treatment. We thank God for the grace he gives us that helps us rejoice in the middle of our suffering even when we are in the right.)

21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (What an example! May the Holy Spirit work in us to imitate it. The Lord Jesus was the perfect example of patience and the perfect picture of tolerance. He was absolutely perfect. He endured suffering all the time for no reason except that he was hated. But he never complained, or resented being treated so wrongly. Master of Patience, teach your followers.)

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (Let us then follow our Shepherd wherever he leads. Let us walk closely with Jesus especially in the paths of sacred patience and self-control.)

Oh Spirit of love, we need your grace to do this!

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¹ 1 Peter 2:17

² Or king; also verse 17