In light of the recent election results I am reminded of how easy it is to have our loyalties, hopes, and ambitions tied to the princes and powers of this world. Peter’s exhortation in 1 Peter 2:9-17 reminds us that Christians are a people set apart by God’s mercy, for His service, called to live as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, animated by the hope, not of gaining political power, but of Christ’s “day of visitation.” And being conscientious of our calling as God’s people, we are commanded to love our fellow Christians, to do good to our neighbors, and yes, even to submit to the earthly kings over us, so that they too may one day praise God.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
~ 1 Peter 2:9-19
