There is often a pattern to the writings of the Christian Scripture: a statement or series of statements that get at some big picture truth which is then followed by an exhortation of how to live life. This is the idea of ethical monotheism, a phrase I first heard on the radio from Dennis Prager.
Briefly put, ethical monotheism says, if we believe there is a God then we have moral obligations to live accordingly.
And so, Peter, follows this pattern in 1 Peter chapter one and now again in chapter two.
We have the big story of the Living Stone and us as living stones which illustrates what Jesus the Christ has done for us. And now we have the big picture put this way ...
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We once were on the outside: not chosen, not royal, not holy and not belonging to God.
But because of what Christ has done, we were brought in. This should not lead to a haughty exclusivism but rather a humble gratitude and a gracious sharing of what we have received.
And so indeed, Peter follows up this grand news of belonging when we once didn't with these encouragements on how to live life ...
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Living out the faith isn't easy. There is darkness in this world, yet we want to help bring people from that darkness into the marvelous light of God's love. The path for a Jesus follower can be misunderstood, ridiculed, rejected and even persecuted in some places in the world, yet we want to come alongside those in the world just as Jesus did when we misunderstood, ridiculed, rejected and persecuted him. Our calling is to hear the praise and commendation of our God and not the applause of the world or the comforts of our ease.
Lord, have mercy. Bring me from selfishness to living with an awareness of God and others. Bring me from silence to graciously sharing words of love and life. Bring me from fear to standing for what is right in wise ways. Amen.
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