1 Peter 2:13-17 / Freedom

Submit to human authority

1 Peter 2:13–14 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

“Be subject (submit) every Human Institution...”

But this presents a conflict to the christian.

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Sojourners & Exiles

Sojourners - live in a place without citizenship.

Exiles - One who lives in a land temporarily.

Our goal is God’s Glory

verse 12…

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.”

Today we celebrate independence day (245 yrs ago)

what would become the greatest country in the world (even with all our mistakes)

But I’m a citizen of somewhere far better. Heaven

1 Peter 2:13 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

“For the Lord’s sake...”

This changes the perspective of everything.

For Christians, our contributions to our country (citizens, service members etc.) is done as service TO GOD

How does this work?

Silence Ignorance

1 Peter 2:15 ESV

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

By doing good … put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

This is our purpose for being here.

So we need to define what the bible means by GOOD.

often think of good as a concept or idea

bible describes it as an attribute.

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God...

Do justice - practice justice

love kindness - how you treat others

Walk Humbly WITH God

1 Peter 2:15 ESV

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

By:

doing Justice

loving kindness

walking humbly with God

We put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

This incidentally is how being a Christian is able to coincide with being an American.

Be a Christian first

Your life and contribution will align with principles this country was founded on.

Live in freedom

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

We are first of all Christians

That doesn’t give us the right to refuse to submit to our governing authorities.

WE THE PEOPLE

How do we submit in the US?

As Christian

we know that this world is not our home.

we know that this world/ this country is coming to an end.

Celebrate today as a blessing from God that we are able to live this life in such a wonderful country.