Salt and Light, Not Mold and Fog

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Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Salt and Light, Not Mold and Fog SCOTTY SMITH "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1Pet.2:9). "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" (1Pet.2:12). "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1Pet. 2:17)   King Jesus, what but the Gospel can explain the change in Peter's life reflected in these verses? He went from being an angry separatist to an engaged citizen. And he instructs believers of every generation to live as model citizens, among non-believers—not above them in judgment, nor against them in fear. Help us, Lord—especially in this election year in the USA. You could have dispatched "twelve legions of angels" to humble the political forces who tried to arrest you (Matt.26:53). The same angels still know your name, all demons still tremble in your presence, and even now, you "control the course of world events—sitting down and setting up kings at your discretion (Dan.2:21). Forgive us for under-believing this bold, bodacious, Biblical affirmation, Lord Jesus. Very practically, show us how to "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor"—even when, as in Peter's day, our emperor is "Nero-like." Keep us from both naïve passivity and fear-mongering paranoia. Jesus, we want to live as salt and light—not as mold and fog, not as those who "bite and devour each other" (Gal.5:15), not as those who put our nation over your present and coming Kingdom (1Pet.2:9). Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit so our greatest delight will be to reveal your truth, goodness, and beauty. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.