Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Respect, love and serve all
1 Peter 2:13-17
Vs 17 - Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king 
Sometimes when I want to start a fire, the wind puts it out. But when I try to keep the fire burning, wind keeps it going. So in the first situation, I label the wind “bad” because it thwarts my plans; in the other, I label it “good” because it helps me accomplish what I want to get done. This illustrates how we judge things by the way they affect us. We declare circumstances or people “bad” if they thwarts our plans or “good” if we agree with them and they support our cause.

But God is the one who determines what is good or bad, and He does not go by how it affects our plans but by whether or not it accomplishes His. His plan is that we could be “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” And His purpose for us is to “ proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). In this verse the apostle reminds us that as members of His body, we are a chosen generation and part of the royal priesthood of all believers.

There was a time when Christians, were not a special group of people, but because of our faith in Christ we have become the people of God and obtained His mercy and grace, His love and forgiveness. To accomplish God's good purpose, we are to respect all people, love other believers, fear God, and honor those who rule over us - even when something doesn’t seem good to us (v.17). Our lives should reflect Christ and speak out the gospel of grace, not only in what we say but in how we live and the way we behave towards others - even those that despise and mistreat us. These kinds of actions may fan a spark of belief in those who observe our responses to “bad” circumstances and most of all in bringing praise to God.
 
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are not left in the dark, but have been given clear teaching on the way we should behave towards the sinner and saint alike in this fallen world as well as those in authority. I pray that I may live in a way that honors You. I pray that my life may become a clear testimony to all with whom I come in contact. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When things look bad, remember God is good.

Jaisy Mathew, St. Johns MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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