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Good morning my “Walking with Jesus” friends, scattered around the world.
This week we’re digging into one of the great unifying statements from God found in 1 Peter 2:9-12. Peter was writing to followers of Jesus Christ who were scattered by persecution all across the Roman Empire in the later 1/2 of the first century. Many of them felt worthless and homeless since they had been run out of their towns when it became evident they were Christians. You’ve seen such news in recent years from places like Nigeria or Somalia in Africa and Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan in Central Asia.
Peter wanted to encourage these dear people with an understanding of how much God loved them, that Jesus had paid the ultimate price for their sin forgiveness, and that they were a people with a God given purpose, even in terrible times! Peter writes “you are…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…” Does that give you hope today my friends, especially those of you living in difficult situations?
Then as now, these Jews and Gentiles, who had trusted in Jesus Christ, were finding themselves caught in trying to live in two or three conflicting worlds at the same time. The Roman Empire was a powerful force with soldiers everywhere enforcing the ever-changing will of the Caesar. Increasingly Christians were viewed as a threat so those soldiers seemed focused on making life painful and difficult for those who were believed to be Christians. Then there were local officials making their own arbitrary laws in the towns under their authority, and often Christians found themselves caught in the crossfire of rules, regulations and expectations.
Notice Peter’s advice: “Submit yourselves, for the Lord’s sake, to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme (human) authority,or to governors, who are sent by the king to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Now I have a question my friends… are you finding this to be a challenge where you live in the world? All around the world national and local leaders have NOT turned to God during this COVID-19 pandemic, and in many cases they have passed laws restricting the gathering of God’s people for Christian activities. But God has allowed this to happen when technology has enabled many churches to make their services, prayer gatherings and Bible studies available on the internet, so people can gather in huge numbers even though scattered! I realize it’s not the same to gather looking into a screen, as when you gather in person, but do you see how God has enabled us to both honor local authorities and honor our God at the same time?
In fact, do you see something bigger… God is accomplishing His greater purpose in spite of Coronavirus! More people are now gathering for worship and hearing the Gospel via the internet then ever where before! Are you celebrating this phenomenon my friends? Would you believe this “Walking with Jesus“ is now being received in over 1200 cities around the world, some of these are places where severe persecution against Christians is a daily reality!?
Now look at that closely my friends and rejoice! What was not possible only a few years ago, is now reality in most of the world. God’s people are gathering for worship, prayer, sharing of God’s Word, mutual encouragement, evangelism and discipleship, without the limitations of geography, building size, language, ethnicity or even time zones, through the internet! God is making a way for His people, where there seemed to be no way. May I ask you… how is the Holy Spirit of God accomplishing amazing things in your city? How is God encouraging and supporting HIS people and enabling them to help others in these difficult times, for the glory of God despite Coronavirus or strict regulations? Would you please write and tell me?
Both in Peter’s day and today, in these crazy, painful times, God is working His eternal, global purpose through His people! As these ‘alien’ followers of Jesus left home and the familiar, seeking someplace, anyplace they could settle, they of course took Jesus with them! They spoke of Jesus, their Savior and friend, to anyone who had an interest, as they migrated. They answered questions, even at the point of the sword, with truth about Jesus. That’s why Peter wrote: “Even if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear..but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” (1 Peter 3:14,15)
Have you found many people are more fearful, more lonely, more anxious during these Coronavirus months than ever before? Is that providing you and me lots of opportunities to live those verses… always prepared to give an answer for the HOPE that you have in God?
My friends, when Peter wrote “…You are a people belonging to God, so that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light…” (1 Peter 2:9) while yes, Peter was calling scattered, persecuted ‘aliens’ to be courageous and speak with boldness even when facing angry mobs or torches or swords… Peter is also challenging Christians to consider that our LIVES declare and proclaim our core God honoring values, even without words!
So, what reputation does your God honoring integrity have where you live, work, study or play? (1 Peter 2:12) If you are married, what has your marriage been declaring to those who know you, about the power of God in a God honoring marriage? (1 Peter 3:1-7) If you have children, what does your parenting declare about Jesus in your home? If you are an employer, what have your employees learned about your Jesus and how He affects your business ethics? If you are in politics or education what have your constituents learned about what you do when popular public opinion is counter to what you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, know to be true and right in God’s sight?
You see my friends, “alien followers of Jesus” should be walking advertisements for Jesus… His truth, His love, His life transforming power. So look around to all the people you know, but especially those who claim to be Christians… what do you see are the evidences of the power of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives? How is God helping them live as a ‘people who belong to God’ while also as law abiding citizens in countries which have little to no regard for God? How are you helping to model that where you live my friends?
Let’s close today by spending some time praying for our fellow Christians around the world, especially in those very difficult places, as they seek to live Peter’s challenge: “…live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong they may see your good deeds and glorify God… show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, please help us. We long to be those kinds of people, especially in these difficult times…
Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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