We started this book and were reminded of the glorious inheritance we have because of our Lord. This chapter reminds that we have been chosen to be our Father's ambassador, His own special people, a chosen generation, for His glory. Chose because we chose our Lord.
In this portion of scripture we are taught how to behave, how we should conduct ourselves as a chosen people in the world we live in.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Those in power over us are addressed.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Those in whose employ we are under are addressed. Our Father knows the challenge of work, but we are called to honor our employers. But we are also reminded not to provoke for both sides can be in error.
20 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
We are then reminded of our Lord enduring all without blame for us. In the context of the two chapters we have read so far. We are recipients of much, upgraded but in response to all those around us that have not yet chosen the path we have chosen, let us not forget we are all we are and have all we have because of our Lord. We are called to represent the Father and to share the gospel of His Son. The world is not godly, our leaders and employers maybe unfair but our example is holy God who lived amongst sinners, submitted to authority and suffered died without sin on our behalf.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,[a] leaving us[b] an example, that you should follow His steps:
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer[d] of your souls.
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