11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
The war that wages within me is not even a daily battle, it a moment by moment, second by second battle. Sure there are times I will go days choosing God and walking in the Holy Spirit, but then WHAM the world and my old way of life tempt to draw me back in. Just this morning there was the battle of doing this Bible study and blog or other activities on the web. So glad I was able to read this verse BEFORE the "other things" so it is a warning instead of a conviction of wrong.
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.
People tend to measure themselves against other people. When they see another doing good, they feel guilt. Pride will not allow them to repent of their wrong doing so they try to drag us down and they accuse us of being just like them. They know they are wrong, but it's easier to accuse us than for them to change. Regardless, we are to live our lives in such a way, that even our accusers will glorify God for the lives we have lived.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
I have had a huge problem with this for the last several Presidents. I struggle with obeying them or the authority of the Constitution they are sworn to uphold, yet they are ignoring. Proverbs 21:1 says that God is in control of these guys. Though I don't trust ANY politician, I do trust God. I also do not allow myself to get wrapped up in arguments with people who only know half the story. I too have no clue of the entire situation. God does and his plan will not be foiled by any President, King or Dictator.
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
There is such freedom in knowing who you are in Christ and living knowing that he is guiding you life and has a plan for you. But don't use you freedom to do evil. A slave has no rights. We are to live as God's slaves.
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
I see these tying together.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
God is the one we work for. Period. Those put in authority over us are his workers. When you suffer for something you did not do and chose not to fight for you rights because you recognize God is in the situation, that is to your credit. But you are being punished because you did something wrong you will not get a reward for it.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
Christ is our measuring stick. He is the standard. He obeyed His Father all the way to the cross. I have a beard and just thinking of someone ripping it out while beating me and punching me and doing nothing about it boggles my mind. All this Christ did for me out of obedience and trust in the Father.
God Bless.
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