Observation: In discussing the status of believers, Peter tells us to be honorable among the "gentiles". The word here can also be translated as the "nations" or the "pagans". It is not "non-Jews", but rather any person who does not have belief in the Lord. Peter has preceded this instruction by discussing the differences between believers and non-believers. He makes reference to over a dozen Old Testament passages about the future believers of Messiah being a chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy people. Meanwhile, those who don't believe have run into the "stumbling block" that is Jesus, and have opted into a destiny to trip and fall.
It must be noted that, in the present time, these two roles seem reversed. As the chosen and beloved people, we will be slandered - labeled as evildoers - by people who run society despite being destined to fall and fail. This is the way of faith in Jesus ... those who reject Jesus will be accountable for their decision, yet they also oppress, suppress, and proclaim falsely against those who believe. Meanwhile, we believers do not revel in victory, but rather simply labor in our good works, anticipating the glorification of Jesus. We submit to human authority, even as they oppress our faith and ignore the truth, allowing the Lord to exercise judgment in his time.
Application: I am an exile living in the world of the gentiles. Nothing could be clearer. This is the lesson taught by Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Malichai, Jesus, Paul, James, and Peter. At least.
I often feel bad for myself, understanding that I am slandered by non-believers, I am criticized for believing the truth about Jesus, I am ridiculed for faith in God, and my proper response to all of this is supposed to be silent endurance and respect given to public leaders up to the point of crossing any line associated with God's laws.
However, I am beginning to realize that I feel bad for Christians who do not yet understand this dynamic. They tend to fight and be angry. They create strife, which translates to hardship and stress in their lives. They may win arguments, but they don't win souls. They are missing out on one of the Lord's blessings, which is experiencing how he cares for his "chosen people", the exiles cast into the gentile world.
I am not a Jew. And I am not a gentile. I am a disciple of Jesus, adopted by that faith into the family of the Lord God almighty. I am an exile without an earthly home, but with a wonderful home within the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Lord, please show me your will this day. May I serve you in their foreign land, and by my life may your light shine into the dark places of this world. Amen.
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