# 43 2020 Dev. 1Peter 2:12. The Good Life! Read verses 11-25. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
From the Living Stone to good living in a virtual spiritual house, Peter continues his thoughts in the second half of chap. 2; “The stone the builders rejected has became the cornerstone…” On Jesus, the cornerstone, we build our lives, and are empowered to live that good life.
Vs. 11,12 gives us the example of Jesus living the good life overwhelming all opposition with good deeds. Peter fleshes that out in Vs 13-17 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: the emperor… or to governors” today we add mayors, police, federal officers, national guard and all legitimate authority. Really? Yes, if we follow the law we are able to show respect and live free. “It is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” We will need a lot of good people doing a lot of good deeds to balance out all that is going on today.
Vs. 18-21 address slavery and unjust punishment. We substitute Peter’s comments to working people; “in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.” It is like Peter is writing to followers of Jesus today because “unjust suffering” is where we are headed: God is banned, never mind Jesus, police are hamstrung, criminals are set free, no accountability, and some illegals are free to kill the police. Where are you going?
V. 22 is the heart of living the good life: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” Vs. 23-25 puts the “the good life” in perspective. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” That is the good news that off sets all that is going on and all what will happen to followers of Jesus. For us, all of life is good and is preparation for our work in the New Heaven and the New Earth. We thank God!
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