praying effectively: Submit to Authority (1Peter2:11-25)

(1 Peter 2:11-25)  Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we abstain from fleshly lusts (2:11)

- that we behave with excellence among the Gentiles (2:12, 15)

- that we honor all people (2:17)

- that we honor the people in government and authority (2:17)

- that we submit to every human institution of authority (2:13-15)

- that we submit to our bosses, even if they are unreasonable (2:18)

- that we fear God (2:17)

- that we act as we are free people living under grace, serving God because we are thankful and want to, not because we have to (2:16)

- that we do not take grace for granted and use it to do evil (2:16)

- that we love our fellow believers (2:17)

- that we patiently endure through unjust trials (2:19-20)

- that we follow the example of Jesus, as we suffer, we should remain in His righteousness (not in our self-righteous), entrusting ourselves to the Lord (2:21-25) 

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being our perfect example to follow.  And not only our example, but You are our strength and righteousness in all things as we do follow Your will.  Help us keep trusting You to get us through every test and trial, while remaining obedient.


Thank You for Your loving grace.  Help us to live in Your freedom with an attitude of honor and gratitude, freely giving of our time, resources and energy to serve You and others.  May we not take Your grace for granted, but desire to show Your grace and respect to others, whether they deserve it or not.  May this speak volumes about You to the world.  All to Your glory, amen.