We all complain about the high cost of taxes and fuel and food. We find scapegoats who have made bad decisions. We feel justified when bosses are overbearing or lack understanding. We gripe, moan, get nervous, look for support for our views, and in general find fault when we can. THAT is our old sinful nature at work.

What about our life in Christ? What DOES it mean to be a Christian in the public sphere? We know about worshiping and praising our Lord for eternal salvation. We know about our responsibilities to seek help in worship and education. We know that our old sinful nature listens to the world described above. That happens even though God himself establishes government to keep peace and promote the welfare of citizens. We just have so many different ideas about how that is to take place.

In 1 Peter 2:13-25, through the words of the Holy Spirit that came from Peter to people in northern Turkey, but still apply to us, we are encouraged to be good citizens and workers. This is pleasing to God but also acknowledges that we all need boundaries and borders. We all need to be honorable people and need help from him to do so. I realize so many people died so that I can have a peaceful place to live. It will never be perfect but we can recognize God is guiding even the seemingly secular part of life: government and the workplace. Anarchy is horrendous. We all serve under someone at times.

Peter reminds these young churches that they accomplish only harm when they act as if the government and their "bosses" have no right to say anything to them. Being IN CHRIST means being in the world he redeemed. We ought not be the ones always tearing our country and place of work down. We ought not be the ones tearing our family or Christian community down. That is the old nature talking. IN CHRIST we look at our family and church AND government through the eyes of the Savior who is slowly bringing us to conform to his love for all. He seeks to weed out the rebellion.

Jesus did not respond violently or look for ways to tear down the society. His mission was to die so as to bring forgiveness and restoration in society. We who bring his forgiveness to others, and need to be strengthened in that process, are reminded to be honorable citizens and workers, SO THAT our message of God's recreating love can get through. Blessings in him! Love people he died for, even if they sin against you: Be Christian!

In Christ our Lord and Savior,
Pastor Thomas Trapp