1 Peter 2:13-17 (NRSV)Living honorably in the world
For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Reflection
Live as free people. We are to live as if we are free from sin. Even though we sin. We need to smell the stench of that sin and come to repentance, knowing that this is not the will of God. We are to turn around from our sin and turn to God. Living free of sin, means we are not to be held bondage to that sin. Sure, we will sin. Sure, we hate that sin. Sure, we will acknowledge our sinfulness and turn to God in new life. But sin is not our focus. God is the focus.
If we focus constantly on our sin we will get stuck in it. Jesus paid too great a price for that kind of behavior. Acknowledge, confess, turn and receive forgiveness. Move on towards the calling God has set out for you. Follow Jesus in his Kingdom in the here and now and live obediently to his will and way knowing all along that you will sin but sin need not be your focus. Jesus is your focus and his will and his way are your life.
"As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God." What a way of life! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord forgive my sin. As I focus on you and your way, I seek to serve you in all your needs…today…tomorrow…and forever. --- Amen
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