The
American
Wisdom Series
Presents
Pamphlet #4644
1 Peter 2:1 ¶Wherefore
laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and
all evil speakings,
2 As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be
ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 ¶To
whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen
of God, and precious,
5 Ye also,
as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore
also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner
stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you
therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,
the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the
corner,
8 And a stone
of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the
word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in
time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 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:
My
highlighted verses:1 Peter 2:16 As free,
and
not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants
of God.
Two things also come to mind when reading this verse.
One is in noticing through personal
experience in "business situations" that whenever someone goes out of
their way to "declare" that they are a "good Christian brother", the fear
arises that someone is about to be "screwed".
We call it "hiding behind his religion".
Our works and reputations declare us, not our mouths.
And secondly, be gentle as the servants of God.
One should never use the knowledge of the truth which
has set us free to "slice" up, i.e. to belittle or make a fool of someone
who doesn't have eyes to see or ears to hear.
That's not God's way.
This is God's way:
[17]
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Be positive and uplifting and a light to the world.
"Let your light so shine before men", remember?
Here's the NIV translation:
1 Pet.
2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers,
fear God, honor the king. (NIV)
Ok, we'll be good citizens.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the
king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only
to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God
endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,
ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes
ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Free
from law.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all
pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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