Being A Godly Citizen - Bible Study corresponding with celebration of Independence Day
Here are notes from the study I presented Sunday evening entitled “Being A Godly Citizen”. It involves a quick scan through a section of I Peter, highlighting some practical applications. The conclusion lists six practical guidelines.
I PETER 2:9-17 (NASB)
9 - But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
KJV - "peculiar" ; A people whom God has chosen to be peculiarly His
Therefore, has called us out of darkness and into light
We live differently
Have different set of priorities
Our overarching purpose of life is to show forth the praises of Him
Not too worried or embarassed about looking and living differently
10 - for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
11 - Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.
Strangers and pilgrims - just passing thru, pitching our tents for a while
Fleshly lusts - appetites of an unrenewed mind
12 - Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
KJV - "conversation" - behavior, conduct
Honest - honorable
We are expected of God to behave before others, in our personal and business lives, in a way that can be characterized as above-board
13 - Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
Every ordinance - every law
for the Lord's sake - so that our personal live do not detract from our witness
Exception would be when we must choose between obeying God and obeying man
Every ordinance:
Taxes
Traffic laws - speed limits, stop signs, etc
Licenses and ordinances - fishing, hunting, etc
14 - or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
Two positive services of human government:
(1) Punishment of evil
To protect you from those with evil intent
Lock away those with propensity to harm others
Police and militia
(2) Reward of good
Give you the freedom to pursue happiness
Provide helpful environment for that purpose
15 - For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16 - Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
17 - Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
God alone is to be feared. Reverence & dread.
The king (government) is to be honored
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR GODLY CITIZENSHIP:
(1) Show respect for those in positions of authority
There are genuine, substantial differences of philosophy and policy between political parties
Philosophy and policy are worthy matters of vigorous debate
I do not think there to be honor, or godliness, in vicious personal attack upon a political opponent
(2) Pray for elected officials and government leaders
Don't dare say one bad thing about any person unless you have first prayed for him, and sought God's guidance in your understanding of him
Daily
(3) Vote
What a privilege you have to peaceably effect change through the will of the people
You forfeit that right when you do not vote
I do not require that my elected leader be a church going, Bible-talking person
I look for policies and principles
(4) Obey the law
Even laws you consider to be superflous and frivolous
(5) Do all you can to foster a government that punishes what is evil and fosters what is good
Enforcement of the Law
Promote a citizenry that need not fear it's government and law enforcement
(6) Make sure your government allows for you the right to be peculiar, different because of your faith
Genius in our understanding of proper relationship of church/government is hallmark practice of the separation of church and state
Even though what we teach and practice may be considered "peculiar" to many, let there be no interference on the parts of federal, state, or local governments
Leave us alone; we will prosper, and so will our nation
