1 Pet 2:11–25

2:11
Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from
fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,
12
and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they
now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God
when he appears.
13
Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a
king as supreme
14
or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise
those who do good.
15
For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing
good.
16
Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as
God’s slaves.
17
Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18
Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those
who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.
19
For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone
endures hardships in suffering unjustly.
20
For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if
you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.
21
For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving
an example for you to follow in his steps.
22
He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.
23
When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he
threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for
righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.
25
For you were going astray like sheep
but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

 

One thought:

 

We respond to being told how to live based on the way we see ourselves. The CEO being commanded by an entry level worker on how to run the company for example. Who is the CEO in your life, God or you?

 

Three questions:

 

Why does Peter remind us of identity & purpose before these examples of living differently?

 

 

How do you feel about being told how to live? Why?

 

 

Where does this section hit home for you? Spend a few minutes reflecting.

 

 

Prayer:

 

Acknowledge that God chose you to be His and that your life is no longer your own.

Ask forgiveness for times that you have acted and viewed your life as your own.

Ask God to help you to submit to Him in all areas of life.

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