March 12: IN EVERY SETTING
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17
The lesson of submission to the LORD in every setting is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox. It is also one of the most difficult to learn, for it means overcoming the selfish desire to vindicate ourselves. To honor all people is to esteem others better than [one]self (Philippians 2:3). There is joy in looking out for the interests of others (v.4) as you go about your day.
Peter could look back upon his own life with gratitude for the Lord’s patience with him. There is a process to overcoming certain bad habits or attitudes. When we love the brotherhood, we extend the same grace that has been extended to each of us as Christ followers. Peter also wrote: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins” (4:8). The righteousness of Christ is a covering graciously given to all who give their hearts to Him. It is a beautiful “robe” that we wear in the process of learning to become like Him. The sanctification of His Holy Spirit is a quiet and thorough work of cleansing from within – if we will allow it! As we live and breathe, we are to wear that robe in thankfulness and humility, while carefully walking the narrow path upon which He leads (Psalm 23:3). He is actually entrusting us with His own reputation . . . for His name’s sake! You can be confident that He will never lead you to do anything that contradicts His written word.
What does it mean to fear God? It is to reverence Him above all else. We are called to esteem Him with supreme love, because He is entirely trustworthy. We can believe what He says, and by His power at work within us, we overcome the obstacles of this fallen world. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies (Psalm 119:98). To honor the king is to show respect for the laws of the land. See Romans 12:18 and 13:1-7 for details regarding respect for worldly authority.
The four commands that Peter wrote in our opening verse are interconnected. Though brief, they cover a vast “territory”, of which a steward in service of the Lord Jesus will be mindful. It is inevitable that criticisms will come.* But do not focus upon defending or explaining yourself. Our example is Christ. He spoke the truth, without explanations. Then, He simply left the misconceptions and misunderstandings of people to correct themselves. Those who determine to submit themselves to the Lord will discover for themselves every needed correction. Even after the Lord’s resurrection, His disciples had not yet overcome the false idea that He would bring about a political overthrow of the Romans. But soon they came to understand more fully. And, in spite of persecution, they proceeded to turn the world upside down with the everlasting gospel.
*For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21-22
Build spiritual muscle: Proverbs 10:12; Matthew 24:14; 1 Peter 2:22-23; 3:8-9, 14; 4:1-2, 10; Revelation 14:6-12