Opening Prayer
God, grant us the true spirit of liberty and obedience. Amen.
Text: 1 Peter 2:11–20
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 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. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 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. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as servants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
Devotion
You who believe on the Lord Jesus are not of the world, but you belong in heaven, and this shall seem to you as the little while you endure here in this strange land. Your heavenly future and glorious disposition, the truth and glory of your eternal calling should be evident in a holy walk in your earthly conduct and deeds. While the children of the world work for earthly riches, you should become rich in good works and store up treasure in heaven. While the spirit of the world makes people power-crazy, you should let the Spirit of Christ make you humble, as those who really are free and able to bend the selfish, arrogant flesh to obey the spirit. Now it becomes more and more accepted practice and fashion to raise oneself above governments and magistrates, who are established by Him, and this is called “freedom.” But Christians have received power from God to withstand the evil spirit of the time and to be obedient to all human order for the Lord’s sake. The “freedom” of being power-crazy is really slavery, low-mindedness, misery. But Christian humility on the other hand is lordship over oneself and the world, noble and real freedom. When unbelievers mock you, Christian servants, because of your humility and honor toward your earthly rulers, then remember that it is not men, but Christ you serve, and show by faithfulness and heartfelt humility that you are lords over yourselves and the world and the devil. But indeed you shall come short and fall into the enemy’s trap, if you do not diligently and persistently watch and pray. For much grace is needed, along with spiritual wisdom and heavenly mind, to withstand the enchanting spirit of the time.
Therefore it is truly necessary to take the Apostle’s warning to heart and to have the light of God’s Spirit over the conduct of life. Never forget, beloved, that you are strangers and pilgrims on earth. Never forget that you are put here to serve the Lord in everything, and seek your rest in Him, never, never among men. Then if someone mocks you for His sake, he despises you and Him, but He shall still be honored by you and be praised on the day of visitation and you shall be glorified with Him.
Closing Prayer
When You free us, Lord Jesus, then we are free indeed. We pray You fervently, grant us the freedom of Your glory. Amen.
Hymn
God in heav’n, grant fullest measure
To us all whoe’er we are
To put off all carnal pleasure
Which against our soul makes war,
That the heathen never may
Be offended on life’s way
By our thoughtless ill behavior,
But may learn to praise our Savior.
For the most high Lord of heaven
And His fatherly command
We should honor those He’s given,
Rulers He to us did send;
They the sword of justice bear
And the wicked will not spare;
They God’s children keep from evil,
That our life is calm and peaceful.
Servants then should be obedient
To their masters in the flesh,
Not only the kind and lenient,
Also those who can be rash.
In all things your patience show
And respect that you do owe
To the rulers God has lent you
And protection He has sent you.
Kingo: Give Gud i Himmerige L 385:1-3 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Freu dich sehr (ELH 593); alternate hymn: God bless our native land ELH 602