Lesson 2211

(Lesson 2211)(12-28-17) 1 Peter 2:11-16
    “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 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. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”
   
    Today’s quote makes it clear that herein Peter was writing to a group of Christian Jews. That fact was made evident when he said; “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles”. Knowing that Peter was speaking to Jews has no particular significance other than to educate the bible student as to whom Peter is to be most associated. Although Peter did, at times address Gentile audiences, we should remember that Paul was the apostle appointed by Jesus to minister to the Gentiles.
    Within today’s quote, Peter gave an instruction that applies to Christianity today maybe even moreso than it has thoughout our history. Peter said; “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake”. That instruction needs to be more pronounced today because there are so many, so-called Christians, who, instead of obeying the two simple “great” commandments Jesus gave to Christianity and “every ordinance of man”, seem to be far more concerned with obeying, and preaching, the old laws God gave specifically to the Jews. Those, so-called, Christians seem to ignore the scriptural fact that Jesus fulfilled every whit of those old laws during His lifetime and buried them in His tomb.
    Instead of preaching old, fulfilled Jewish laws, we, today, should be preaching eternal salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ crucified.~