11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage 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.

13-15 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 

16-17 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor. 1 Peter 2:11-17 New International Version

For any who read yesterday's post from Jeremiah, you'll recall that it touched on religion and politics and ended with the apostle Paul's words to Christians where he said: “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) What Peter says in today's reading is very consistent with what Paul wrote. What does he say is a constant struggle Christians will face because they've turned from the lifestyle of the world? (vs 11)

There will still be sinful attractions in many of the things unbelievers do, and wrong desires will still rise up from our own hearts. Conversion doesn't make us immune to sin. But what is a big motive for saying no to sinful desires – whether the temptation came from the way others live and dress (or don't dress!) - or whether the temptation came from our own thoughts? (vs 12)

It's so that the wholesome choices we make and the kind things we do can be a witness to those who have rejected Christ and who scoff at Christianity. Some may be persuaded by our lives to acknowledge that it must be God who has brought about the change, and perhaps want to know more. Others may leave it too late and only realize the difference when Christ returns. What is one of the big ways in which Christians are called to be different to the world according to vs 13-15?

We are called to respect authority and be law abiding citizens. Peter wrote these words when Rome was governing many foreign countries and not everyone appreciated that. There were people then (as there are now) who hated the Government's rules and taxes. But, like Paul, Peter also saw Governments as being there by God's will to punish wrongdoing. It doesn't mean that such Governments are good, but they are necessary if there is to be some sort of law and order. Christians are called to be examples of doing what is right and not what is wrong.

The strange thing is that, since Christians are like foreigners in this world (vs 11), and belong to another King, some argue that they are free from the rules of human authorities (especially when one sees some of the harsh and nonsense laws those authorities make) and don't need to obey them. But what does Peter say to such an argument? (vs 16-17)

He agrees that, yes, we have been set free from this world's authorities - whose rule is sometimes a tyranny - but we are not to use that freedom to do wrong. Pagan rulers may well treat their citizens like slaves, but we are Christ's slaves, and we want to obey Him by doing what is right. Having said this, let's remember that this is the same Peter who, when the authorities ordered him and the other apostles to stop preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, replied: “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20) There is a point where a Christian's obedience to God must take priority over the orders of rulers and authorities. The emperor is to be honoured – but God is to be feared!