Peter – A Breath of Fresh Air
We work all our lives for the day when we can retire and have the freedom to be and to do what we think is the “good life”. We try to settle into our homes as if we will be there forever. We paint, repair, decorate, and remodel some more until we are satisfied. But we never are satisfied. Why?
Peter reminds us “this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it.” We really do not know what tomorrow holds. So, don’t sell your souls for cozy and secure. Nothing in this world is tied down and secure. Even our bodies are mere tents that should be ready to be taken down and folded away, ready for travel to another location here to serve and glorify God or to our forever home in heaven. The good life is a life God directs, guides and provides for with all we need to love and serve Him. An “exemplary life” among those who don’t know Christ is one lived to tell Him with our words and actions. Be ready.R-E-S-P-E-C-T is not just a song to be bellowed out by Aretha Franklin, a beloved singer, but to be lived out loud by all who call ourselves believers and followers of Christ. Peter reminds us to “exercise our freedoms by serving God, not by breaking the rules.” Respect must be part of our DNA as a new born believer of Jesus Christ. “Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” These are all traits of respect and love for God and each other.
So, don’t get too cozy with what we think is being secure. Be ready to serve and willing to love unconditionally like Christ. He’s coming back, you know. This world is not our home. Are we ready to move it on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky?
1 Peter 2, The Message
Part Two
11-12 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
13-17 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Don’t just make a difference in this world…BE a difference.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are God and we are not. Just when we think we have it all together, we are reminded that you are in charge, You are our Father, You are where we want to be, You have our forever home prepared by Christ Himself. This world that we try to fix up by our own efforts is not our home. Thank you for this reminder that there are much greater things to come. Thank you for preparing my forever home. Give us joy for the journey here as we ready ourselves for there with You. Help us to live the “exemplary life” among those who don’t know you yet. May respect, love and dignity for others abound from us. In Jesus Name, Amen
