THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Some people live in the same house most of their lives. Me? It takes a while to add up all the houses.
As a child, my family lived in six different homes. Each one was unique. Some homes were small; some were large. Some had big back yards; others didn’t. Some homes were in the city; some were in the country.
As an adult, we have continued the trend of frequent moving. My wife and I have lived in eleven different residences in three different states. The thought of carrying a couch through a narrow front door ever again makes me want to pull my hair out. Few things are more exhausting than the moving process.
When you move a lot, it’s difficult to determine where “home” really is. But whether you’ve lived in many places or if you were born and raised in just one place, Peter reminded us that Christians are all just passing through; this world as we know it is only temporary.
In other words, we all have another big move in our future.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves ably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.
When I was a teenager, my family was at the Orlando airport preparing to fly home to Texas. The airline representative came over the loud speaker offering vouchers for anyone willing to wait an extra hour and take another flight. Jumping at the opportunity, my brother and I begged our parents to let us stay and take the next flight. Amazingly, our parents agreed.
After my brother and I were on that second flight for a while, I looked out the window and something just didn’t seem right. I should’ve seen sandy, flat West Texas. Instead, I saw rolling green hills and beautiful blue bodies of water. In that moment the captain announced: “We will be landing in thirty minutes. I hope you enjoy your stay in Branson, Missouri.” We had gotten on the wrong plane!
This will seem obvious, but my brother and I never treated Branson as home. Our brief stay there was nothing more than a temporary layover. Our focus was on getting to our final destination—on getting home.
The same is true with our lives on this earth. Our stay in this present world is merely a temporary layover; our ultimate destination is “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1). That’s why Peter called us “strangers and exiles.” We won’t find our true identity in any earthly address. And because the world is not our true home, Peter told us not to be seduced by the “sinful desires” that tug at us while we’re here. Where do those sinful desires come from? “Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire” (Jas. 1:14).
What are the practical implications of
living as strangers and temporary residents?
Even as followers of Christ, the old sin nature still rears its ugly head and seeks to pull us down. Satan knows this. He constantly seeks to entice us to listen to the old sin nature. But in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can “abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.”
We are to abstain from living in sin, which is living as if this world is our home. We do this not just for personal holiness but also as a testimony to those outside the faith. Instead of others seeing us live like them, they will see our good works—our selfless, self-denying, love-filled lives—and they will be drawn to “glorify God on the day he visits.”
The assumption behind Peter’s statement is that unbelievers are always watching to see how Christ-followers conduct themselves. They’re looking to see if our faith is sincere or just hypocritical posturing. Peter was also confident that when believers are faithful to Christ, unbelievers will have no choice but to glorify God.
1 Peter 2:13-15
13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
Even though this world is only a temporary dwelling place for Christians, it still matters how we live while we’re here. Our future hope and home should dictate our current conduct and attitudes.
While we’re on this earth, we’re under authority. We’ll always have people in authority over us, and Peter commanded us to “submit to every human authority.” Someone might use the excuse: “Well, if the authority over me were godly, I would be willing to submit. But why should a Christian submit to ungodly authority?”
How can we navigate the tension
between submitting to earthly authorities
and submitting to God?
When we start thinking that way, we need to remember that Peter recorded these words while Nero was emperor of Rome.
If you’re not familiar with that name, Nero was one of the most ungodly men to ever live on planet Earth. While still only a teenager, Nero murdered his stepbrother who stood in his way. He had his wife killed because he didn’t like her. He married again and then supposedly killed that wife by kicking her while she was pregnant. The next year he married his third wife after her husband was driven to commit suicide. Because Nero’s mother plotted against him, he likely had her killed, as well.
Nero was also the first of the Roman rulers to persecute Christians. He had Christians arrested, punished in horrific ways, and murdered. Yet, it was during his reign and under his leadership that the Holy Spirit led Peter to write these words—and he specifically mentioned submission to the emperor!
Paul also wrote to the Romans during the reign of Nero and addressed the believer’s responsibility to authority: “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1-2).
Why such an emphasis in the Scriptures on submission to earthly authorities? Because when we submit to authorities, we are really submitting to God.
1 Peter 2:16-17
16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a coverup for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
What are some ways Christians can abuse the freedom we’ve been given in Christ?
A person can never fully appreciate the value of freedom unless he or she has first experienced the bondage of slavery. In these verses, Peter was writing to believers who had experienced both. We know what it’s like to be in spiritual chains—bondage to our sin—but we also know freedom because we’ve been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As the apostle John wrote: “If the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36). Paul described Christians this way: “Having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness” (Rom. 6:18).
Since we are in Christ, we are free indeed. But in that freedom we’re called to live our lives in service to the Lord and others. What does this submission to authority as God’s slaves look like? Peter pointed to four actions:
- Show proper respect to everyone. Our true home is in heaven with God, but we must take care how we represent our Lord and ourselves while in this world. That begins with respect.
- Love the family of believers. God is love (see 1 John 4:8); therefore, as imitators of Christ, love should embody all we do—especially our relationships with other believers.
- Fear God. When we bow before God, we can stand before anyone. Living in proper awe and reverence toward God helps us be discerning in how we act toward others. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7).
- Honor the emperor. Whoever is in a position of leadership, whether it be a mayor, a president, or a king, this principle remains the same. As believers, we are to respect and honor those who have civil authority over us. God calls us to be good citizens.
Which of the commands in these verses
do you find easiest to obey?
Which are difficult?
LIVE IT OUT
How will the truths of this passage influence the way you live this week? Consider taking one or more of the following steps:
- Set a reminder. Place something in your home to remind you this world is not your final destination. Remind yourself that you were made for heaven.
- Take inventory. Evaluate your life in light of the four statements in 1 Peter 2:17. Ask yourself, “How am I doing in showing proper respect to everyone, loving the family of believers, fearing God, and honoring the leaders in our city, state, and nation?”
- Serve. In our freedom, we’re called to serve God and others. Write down ways you can intentionally serve God and others this week. Make this a matter of prayer and commitment as you seek to live your life in a way that honors the Lord.
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Teacher's Notes
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How should I live so that others will know that Heaven is my home?
The Bible says to us this morning that believers are not citizens of this world; only temporary residents awaiting the opportunity to go home to be with the Lord. But the Bible also has something to say to how we are to live while here on earth – let’s read.
1 Peter 2:11-17 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves ably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits. Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a coverup for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
What does it mean that our citizenship is in heaven?
A citizen is a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country. Citizens adopt the culture and practices of the nation or kingdom to which they belong. Every human being is born into the kingdom of this world, in which Satan rules (2 Corinthians 4:4). We grow up adopting the culture, practices, and values that he instigates (Genesis 3:1; 1 John 2:16). Satan’s kingdom enslaves its citizens (Romans 6:16). With darkened hearts and minds, we blindly follow our leader into the very sins that pull us deeper into slavery. We remain captives in this kingdom of sin, headed for destruction, until Jesus frees us (Ephesians 2:1–4). Philippians 3:18–19 highlights the differences between those who desire fellowship with Jesus Christ and those who focus on earthly pursuits: “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Those who do not know Christ live only for this world and the pleasure they can find for themselves. They are “citizens” of this world and live by its rules and value system. When we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:3), we are born into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 3:2; 7:21; Romans 14:17). Speaking of those who have had that spiritual rebirth, Philippians 3:20 says, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus spent much of His earthly ministry explaining the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 4:17). He compared it to many things, including a wheat field in which weeds grew along with the wheat. The plants appeared identical at first, but were separated at the harvest. The truth is, often the citizens of heaven and those of this world appear identical, and no one but God knows the difference (Romans 8:19). Many people may appear to be citizens of heaven, when, in fact, no rebirth has ever taken place in their hearts (Matthew 7:21).
1. When God grants us citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven, we become “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. He sends His Holy Spirit to indwell our spirits, and our bodies become His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19–20).
3. The Holy Spirit begins to transform our sinful, worldly desires into those that glorify God (Romans 12:1–2).
4. His goal is to make us as much like Jesus as possible in this life (Romans 8:29).
5. We are given the power and privilege of exiting the world’s flawed value system and living for eternity (1 John 2:15–17).
6. To be adopted into the family of God means that we become citizens of an eternal kingdom where our Father is the King. Our focus turns toward eternal things and storing up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20).
7. We consider ourselves ambassadors to this earth until our Father sends for us and we go home (Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20).
We live for a short time in these physical bodies, anticipating the bright future in our real home. While here, we share Abraham’s experience, living “like a stranger in a foreign country- looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:9–10).
Points: Believers are not citizens of this world; only temporary residents awaiting the opportunity to go home to be with the Lord. Believers can expect to face temptations common to living in a fallen world. As citizens of heaven, believers have a responsibility to live godly lives before others. Godly living can be used of the Lord to bring others to faith in Him. Godly living brings glory to God. We are to abstain from living in sin, which is living as if this world is our home. We do this as a testimony to those outside the faith. Instead of others seeing us live like them, they will see our good works—our selfless, self-denying, love-filled lives—and they will be drawn to glorify God. Christians have a responsibility to be model citizens. Good and right living can be an effective way to silence critics. Why such an emphasis in the Scriptures on submission to earthly authorities? Because when we submit to authorities, we are really submitting to God.
I’ve been praying that we might have a spiritual awakening, but I think that becomes possible only as individuals surrender their lives afresh and anew to Christ, and live the Christian life wherever you are.
I want to leave you with 3 simple truths.
1. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
- We’re to live a life in which we love one another.
- We help one another. We live according to what Jesus lived.
- The Holy Spirit is the One that helps us live that new lifestyle, which is one of love, gentleness, and patience, and all these things that are the fruit of the Spirit.
- We must remember that we communicate the Gospel by our lives as well as our lips. We live before a watching world, a world that is waiting to see if what we say is lived out in our lives.
2. Read His Word every day.
Make the Bible your source and your authority.
- Quote it frequently.
- Let its message be your message.
- Study it, meditate upon it, memorize it, trust its promises.
The Word of God itself has power.
3. Go to your knees and pray.
I cannot describe to you the joy and the peace that He gives you as a result of that daily routine that you have in prayer.
Is there a lack of power in your life?
Perhaps you have neglected the preparation of your life with neglected prayer. We’ve neglected God’s Word and the feeding of our own souls.
Whatever it is, confess it, forsake it, repent of it, and then walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and gain victory over it.
Hebrews 13:14-17 NLT
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Philippians 3:15-21 (Following Paul’s Example)
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
