Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 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. (I Peter 2:11-12)
God has the apostle Peter continue his letter explaining how we as Christians are to conduct ourselves in various relationships, so that we will always bring glory to God. Above, he used the title Gentiles to refer to unbelievers, not just non-Jews. Unbelievers may never believe, no matter what we Christians say to them or how much evidence God shows them; but, based on how they see us live, they will have to glorify God in the day of visitation. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 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. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I Peter 2:13-17)
We may not personally come in contact with kings, governors or presidents, but we all come into contact with people of authority (ie. policemen, principals, managers, etc). We are to respect their position and show them respect, whether we agree with them or not. We are to obey the laws of the land for the Lord’s sake; in other words, we are not to be lawbreakers, unless the law goes against the Word of God, because, “We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
That by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13:3-5)
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (I Peter 2:18-20) There are still places in this world where slavery is practiced. Fortunately, most of us aren't in those positions. But, most of us are employees or employers, and the same rules apply.
Specifically, we who are employees (servants) have to be very mindful how we respond to our employers, regardless of how they treat us, because if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:22-25) We do our work as to the Lord and not to men, and God will deal with those who manage over us; and there is no partiality with God!
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [Isaiah 53:9] who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2:21-25)
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. (I Peter 3:1-6) Nothing is wrong with having the outward adornment, but do not let your adornment be merely outward!
We've discussed in great detail in previous lessons about submission, and how the marriage relationship is the closest representation of the Trinity - God the Father, Lord God the Son, and God's Holy Spirit. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman [wife] is man [husband], and the head of Christ is God. (I Corinthians 11:3) In a triune marriage, Christ should be the head of the husband, the husband the head of the wife, and the wife "...a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18) Wives have a lot of power, but they must use it in a way that brings honor to God and to their husbands, so that without a word, husbands may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear; not being afraid, but fear, meaning respect, for There is no fear [being afraid] in love... (I John 4:18)
But husbands, if you want your marriage to go well and be a blessing to you and glorify God, ...love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ... So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ... Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-33) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (I Peter 3:7)
Our relationships with non-believers, those in authority and our marriages are a clear representation of Christ's relationship with the Father. We have to follow His example, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "... I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) Therefore, If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) God is a God of order, and if we obey His Word and allow His Holy Spirit to guide us, we will be at peace with most men; but those who refuse to live at peace with us, by your good works which they observe, they will glorify God in the day of visitation!
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