11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Beloved strangers

• “Dear friends” = “beloved” You are loved by God and fellow believers.

• You are NOT loved by worldlings. You are aliens and strangers to them.

• Beloved strangers live differently. This leads to witness and warfare.
 

Your worst enemy

• Sinful desires are your worst enemy.

• They war against your soul.

• They ruin your witness to others.

• Fight and repel enemies within.

• Unsaved people are NOT your enemy.

• Don’t join them, but don’t attack them.

• Witness and win over the unsaved.

 

Glorious goodness

• Strangers attract attention & attacks.

• Endure accusations and insults.

• Let your holy love do the talking.

• Unsaved people will accuse you, but some will be won over by your goodness and glorify God in the end.

Living under the system

• Political system

• Work system

• Family system

Freedom in Christ

Christ is king, master, and husband.

• Do his subjects disobey rulers?

• Do his slaves disrespect masters?

• Do his beloved disregard spouses?

• In the new era of salvation, should Christians trash the old system?

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.


Living under the system

• Political system

• Work system

• Family system

Strategic submission

• Freely honor God’s image and rule in human creatures who govern.

• Disprove ignorant accusations that Christians are ruinous rebels.

• Please God and imitate Jesus by enduring undeserved suffering.

• Win others to Christ with holy beauty.

Systemic realism

• The system is human, not divine.

• The system is needed and helpful.

• The system is worldly and wicked.

• The system is fragile and fleeting.

• The system can’t save souls, purify people, or produce paradise.

Systemic reform

• Help those harmed by the system.

• Pray for those running the system.

• Disobey if the system requires sin.

• Repent of role in the system’s evils.

• Use influence to improve the system.

• Prioritize eternal above the system.

• Pursue holiness; make disciples.

Strategic submission

• Freely honor God’s image and rule in human creatures who hold power.

• Disprove ignorant accusations that Christians are ruinous rebels.

• Please God and imitate Jesus by enduring undeserved suffering.

• Win others to Christ with holy beauty.

Radiant royalty

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (2:9)

Strangely beautiful

Beloved, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (2:11-12)


Last modified: Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 4:45 PM