A Royal
Priesthood
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts
of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, once you had not
received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to
abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct
yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as
evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God, when he comes to
judge.
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.
1 Peter 2:9-17
Most people long for truth and goodness. Yet
that desire can be frustrated by what they see in some Christians, whom they
perceive as self-righteous and judgmental. If you act that way you will
alienate too many unbelievers to count. That is not a good way to witness.
Strive for the type of life that Paul lived – one that will be so attractive
that it draws others to Jesus Christ.
Let God make you beautiful and humble. Yield
your life to God’s Spirit within, so you can live a life of uncommon beauty
before a watching world.
Live so that others
will want to know Jesus.
Our Daily
Bread
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