Devotion for Thursday, 5 May 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Thursday, 5 May 2011 Anno Domini
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (1 Peter 2:11-17)
Strangers: The Christian is a stranger to the world, for the world does not know him and he does not know the world. Moreover, since he is a stranger, the world dispises him and does not trust him. The Christian simply does not fit in with the society of the world.
Pilgrims: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Heb 11:13-14). Pilgrims are always looking for a better world. This is why the pilgrims left the security of Europe and came to an untamed land – to make a better home. The pilgrim travels lightly, without all possessions, for he must always be moving toward the better country and better reward. So the Christian goes through this world as a pilgrim seeking a better land and always moving towards it, and that land is the Kingdom of God.
“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” These are sins of overbearing appetites for wealth, power, and illicit sex. These are enemies to the moral stature and tranquility of the soul. They are always vying for the dominance of our minds and conduct. The Christian never fully vanquishes this foe, but must carry on the battle to the finish.
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Be honest in our dealings with ALL men, not just those of faith. Though they make stinging and false allegations against us, we must continue to hold high the banner and ensign of Christ, dealing fairly, impartially, and charitably with all comers. This is confusion to the enemy. His battle lines are blurred by our kindness to him. He is prompted to take a second look and see that our God must truly be a great God to have such followers as we are. In the Day of Judgment, many such former enemies may stand with the just and be accounted righteous because of our living testimony.
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” This can be quite difficult at times when we may be accused unjustly by those who have the authority to protect and not falsely accuse. But in all, we must acknowledge and honor God as our Sovereign. There remains a hierarchy of laws which must be obeyed by the Christian. Though we respect and honor the earthly sovereign, we must never place his laws above the Law of our God. Good government is defined by the justice which it promotes.
“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Righteousness is living in truth and love. Persistently repeated truth puts to rout the imaginations of the foolish that rely upon uninformed emotion and present greed. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” (Prov 25:21-22). I have tested this principle many times and found it to be fail-safe!
“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” The fountainhead of Liberty is God’s Word to us. There can be no freedom, or liberty, without responsible character and action. We see in society today liberties being taken to try and lay rightful claim of freedom to sin and to live off the public largesse. This is freedom without responsibility which is licentiousness. In every country, those who are courtiers to the sovereign receive the highest privilege and freedom. How much more so is this true of those who are the servants of the Almighty God – Sovereign of the Universe!
“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” Every person born into the world deserves our respect as a human being. We should honor all who give no reason for dishonor. We MUST love one another as God has commanded. Fear God as we would fear a loving and watchful Father who acts, not out of malice and cruelty, but out of love in His chastisement of us. The language we use in addressing God should at least be as reverent as that which we use in addressing government in legal documents. We should not bring the majestic language of the Holy Bible down to the gutter level simply so that gutter dwellers can relate. The Majesty of God’s Word should bring them from the gutter to it – not the other way around. These are principles for living a life pleasing unto God. Give them a try!