Resilient: Powerful Hope in a Dangerous WorldSample

Today we’re going to talk about the two things we’re not supposed to discuss: religion and politics.

Before you let your palms get sweaty, or your heart rate rises, let me clarify. I won’t tell you what party you should belong to or even what policy you should support- though, as Christ-followers, we should be aligned on a few. Rather, today we’re talking about how a Jesus follower behaves when there is tension between us and our authorities or accusers.

Peter begins this section by addressing his audience (scattered believers) as “sojourners and exiles.” This point is essential to our understanding of this instruction. If you have proclaimed the victory of Jesus over your life, you have also proclaimed your citizenship in heaven. This changes everything for us! No longer are our greatest concerns the weak horizontal quarrels on earth. Rather, our great concern is now the war waging between the Kingdom of Heaven and Hell, light and dark.

This war is waged in the darkness of the world and the desires of your heart. Do you feel the deep tug in your soul between what you know you should do and what you want to do? Do you feel a horrible pit inside you for the brokenness of this world? The war is real. And the citizens of heaven are to fight it. In the next verse, Peter sets the standard of abstaining from our sinful desires.

“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Live such a good life, that unbelievers will recognize it. And when the day of judgment comes, they will glorify God because of witnessing your life. A life like that has put to death the lustful desires of the heart. A life like that had a kingdom mindset.

Tied to this kind of life, Peter says, is obedience to the authority of our rulers here on earth. Romans 13 verse 1 says this: “let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” He’s not saying you have to agree. He’s not saying that you have to forfeit the other commands of the Bible. He’s saying that God has it under control! He’s not surprised at this election. He’s too big for that!

Reflection Questions

1. How can you step into the fight against evil in the world?
2. What sinful desire can you surrender to God today?
3. Do you believe that honoring our governing authority is honoring God?