A Portrait of a Life of Obedience [Part1] (1 Peter 2:11-17)

" Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11-12, HCSB)

Again, Peter addresses his audience as temporary residents, a term he has used already at the beginning of this letter, which we had looked into briefly before. The repeat use of this term further points out that we are strangers and aliens in this world. This world is not our home - a point worth being reminded of as Peter begins a discussion on how our lives should be lived in obedience. 

Therefore, as strangers and aliens in this world, this is how we ought to live, especially in view of God's mercy just described for us in the previous verses. Peter focuses specifically on abstaining from fleshly desires. To abstain, "apechomai", means to move away from, to refrain, to hold oneself away from - all of these indicate the kind of actions and attitudes we should do when approached by temptations.

We are to turn away from our earthly lusts, our fleshly desires. The idea behind that is to abstain from the desires and lusts of our sinful nature, our flesh. Anything that is us-centered, that distracts or hinders our relationship with God - that is of the flesh, and those kind of attitudes and actions are the ones we need to abstain from.

In contrast, Peter commands us to conduct ourselves honorably among the Gentiles (which can also mean "among the nations", or "among the pagans".). "Conduct" - "anastrophē" - refers to the way we live our lives. In the KJV, the word and the idea behind it is often translated as "conversation". The idea behind these is that the way we live our lives - every aspect of it - should be done honorably.

The reason for this is simple and important: so that they may see your good works and glorify God, regardless of what they say about you. Our lives should be lived in such a way that regardless of what people say or think of us, they can find no valid reason to speak badly against us, and further, have no choice but to glorify God on the day of judgement. In a sense, we are living towards Christ's return in how we act. Those we live around here on earth will act as "witnesses" of a sort, testifying how we represent Christ on His behalf. If we lived in a Christ-like manner, He is glorified! This is a poignant reminder that the way we live our lives matters significantly and it can draw others to Christ.

"Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor [literally: "king"] as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good." (1 Peter 2:13-14, HCSB)

We are to submit to those in authority. The word "submit", "hypotassō", coveys the idea of obedience, to be subject to, to submit to the control of another, to be put under another's authority. This is a clear picture of the Christian's relationship to his government. The focus here is very similar to what Paul commands in Romans 13:1-2: "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves." (HCSB). 

We must keep in mind that this was written during a time when the government was hostile towards Christians. Those who followed Christ were not tolerated like we are today in America. Regardless of who holds the power, we are to submit to their authority. Instead of rebellion or refusing to submit because we disagree with our government, we are to glorify God by living a life of submission. 

This is how we show our obedience to Him; namely that we are obedient to those He has placed over us (with the obvious caveat that the only time civil disobedience is necessary is when those over us command us to do something contrary to Scripture). Our submission to them demonstrates our submission to God. Yes, they are not our king - after all, we do not belong here. We are resident aliens, and our true citizenship is in heaven - not in America or anywhere else. 

In a sense, we are like ambassadors in a foreign land - ambassadors on behalf of the kingdom of Heaven. We represent our King, Christ, and proclaim His mission. But, as an resident alien of the lands we work in, we are to live in submission to the laws of the land we currently reside. We are to live in a peaceable, submissive manner so that in no way is the name of our King profaned by our actions. 

 "For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor." (1 Peter 2:15-17, HCSB).

It is God's will that we do good in this way: we do not belong to the world or its system, but we represent Christ's kingdom, and as such respectfully abide by the laws of the land. We do this not because we owe allegiance to worldly powers, but because by it we silence the ignorance of foolish people. We demonstrate our allegiance to a higher Authority. This way, there should be no valid accusation against Christ's kingdom. Also, because we are ambassadors, we must remember that how the ambassador acts is a reflection on the one who sent him. The key principle here in these verses is that we are to bring glory to God by representing Him in a way that is honoring. We do this by submitting to authority, be it good or bad. We honor everyone, love each other, all in the fear of God. This is how we represent Christ to the nations, even if we are being persecuted. 

We do not do this because we belong to the world. Peter makes it clear that we are free. Because we are God's slaves, we are free - what a divine paradox! Being slaves to God, we now have an obligation to serve Him, honor Him, and in this context faithfully represent Him. But, because of this we are very free - free from our old nature, free from the obligation to follow the Law, free from condemnation, and free from following the world's system of doing things. In a sense, the gospel frees us from our citizenship here on earth. We no longer owe any allegiance to any world power. However, just because we have this freedom does not mean we are to live how we want, or refuse to submit the rulers over us. We are now, as God's slaves, ambassadors to the nations, and we must represent Him in a way that is honoring to all.