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Identify

 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
1 Peter 2: 13-14

This is one of those selections of scripture that we like to gloss over while reading the Bible. This letter is written by the apostle Peter to the churches of another part of the Roman Empire. The people were located in what is now Turkey and were facing persecution for being Christians. 

Christians were the new kids on the block when it came to religions. I'm sure it felt uncomfortable to the people of the time. I'd think they'd have felt similar as we would about a new cult popping up in our neighborhood.  

Peter tells the church, "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"
(1 Peter 2:12). He basically says be good citizens and love your neighbors. Bring glory to God by living good lives and doing kind things. 

Part of being good neighbors is submitting to the ruling authorities. He instructs them to live as free people and then adds a clarifying statement. If you read too fast you'll glance over it. He says, "live as God's slaves" (1 Peter 2:16). Live like you are free, but live like you have a master. It's a concept that conflicts with the ways of the world but makes sense in the kingdom of God. Essentially, Peter is saying you are free to live in a way that honors God and shows love to His people.  

The verses I shared at the beginning of the devotional says, "Submit yourself for the Lord's sake…" We submit to the authorities on Earth because we are told to. We submit to the authorities on Earth because our freedom is not found in their laws or their definition of freedom.  

In this country, I think we confuse the freedom that results from the laws of the land, with the true freedom we have in God. We get wrapped up in the politics of the country. We bicker and our identity becomes defined from the perspective of a political party we affiliate with rather than the God whose grace covers us and restores. 

Our freedom is anchored in Jesus Christ. As He was humiliated and assaulted by the Roman authority, He never was defiant. There was no need to be because they didn't control His identity. He was then, and is now, the Son of God. No earthly title will ever surplant His true identity. In this same way, our identity as followers of Jesus is secure. 

No matter the circumstance we are to live embracing our one true identity. We are to live like God's slaves. That means we are to love like Jesus loves us. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt

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