What a way to live! “faith living” in a “faith denying” world
Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are 1st Peter 2:13-17, where the Bible says,
[13] Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
This section of Scripture contains the theme verses of the LCRL (verses 16-17)! It summarizes how we are to live as God’s people, as people of faith in Him, in an increasingly “faith denying” world. That takes wisdom, courage, perseverance, and a real love for others that flows from our faith relationship with God. And, I’ll add, this is what we need in this world NOW more than ever. Peter is talking about living “as people who are free.” Today that theme appeals to Americans, Christian or not, because words like “freedom” and “liberty” stand foremost in many people’s minds as the hallmarks of democracy, the principles that make America, America. Our earthly freedoms here are meant to protect us from oppression and tyrannical government, but Christians are also challenged to put such freedoms to work in living our life in Christ faithfully in service to our families and neighbors in God’s name and without coercion. What a way to live!
While America’s “civic-political freedoms” are a blessing from God, He promises much more in the life of freedom that comes by faith in Christ. It’s a different, ultimate freedom based upon the forgiveness, life, and salvation that comes through Christ alone. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ set people free in a way that the world never can. This freedom is a gift from God and offered to all by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake. So, thank God for our temporal freedoms, yes, but never forget that they are meant to be used in service to God’s gift of eternal freedom for all in Christ. “Live as people who are free,” Peter says. And, never forget that when your freedom comes from faith in Christ, nothing in this world can take that away.
It’s also important to remember that these “two freedoms” are meant to be received and then put to work. The Scriptures teach that people have been set free from their sin (eternal freedom) to serve one another “freely” in love now. That love is freely given, without coercion. That love honors the truth and moral framework of God’s Word. That love is even willing to honor the powers of this world for the Lord’s sake (see verses 13-14), even in a faith-denying world, so that all people might come to know the only freedom that lasts. It’s incredible when you think about it. The Epistle of 1st Peter was originally written to Christians living under a Roman government that was often antagonistic to Christians and, at times, persecuted them. Peter’s Epistle teaches Christians how to live in a sinful, broken world, even to the point of being willing to suffer for righteousness, to serve as Jesus served, and to love as Jesus loved. Living today in the freedoms of America’s representative democracy, we have even more ways to undergird the “sphere of the Caesar” so that we can freely proclaim the mission of Christ’s Church.
So, when talking about faithful living in a “faith denying” world, always remember first and foremost that God is at work to preserve this sinful world, even as He seeks to save it through Christ alone. He calls His people who have been set free in Christ to love and serve His way, in His Name, for others. We have been freed by Christ’s forgiving love and, in a country that provides Constitutional freedoms and protections, are thereby motivated by that freedom to speak God’s truth in love to bless others in His Name. Let’s use these freedoms as servants of God. What a way to live!
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, give us an ever clearer sense of how You are at work in this world to preserve it and to save it. Help us never forget that Your preserving work is important, but always penultimate to your eternal saving work in Christ. May we grow in wisdom to be faithful to both Your preserving work and Your saving work. Empower us to serve all those whom You bring into our lives so that they too might be blessed to trust You in all things, AMEN.
