Christianity and Patriotism

DAILY READING

 I Peter 2:9-17

Sermon Discussion Starters

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Compare and Contrast

by Elaine Pierce

This passage is one of contrasts:  darkness.....light; not a people of God.... the people of God; no mercy.....received mercy; pagans accuse you of wrong...they see your good deeds and glorify God; live as free people....don't abuse your freedom; fear God.....honor the King.

Do you remember writing 'compare and contrast' essays in English class? Your teacher would give you the assignment, and the class would groan. Choose two subjects - say, vegetarians and meat eaters, or conservatives and liberals, to name a couple - and compare and contrast them. What are their similarities? What are their differences? Make a list.....write an outline....be sure to proofread.....you remember, don't you?

Peter is comparing far more than the similarities and differences between meat eaters and vegetarians. What a difference it makes to come out of the darkness into the light. What a difference it makes to be part of the family of God. What a difference it makes when we fear and reverence God, and give honor to our earthly King (in our case, our president and other government leaders).  

I often walk early in the morning, just before the sun is up. As the sun rises, everything comes into sharper focus. The contrast between light and dark is unmistakable. Peter calls God's light 'wonderful.' He invites us to '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.'  

Dear friends, we are a chosen people. We no longer live in darkness - we walk in the light.  God's light is wonderful, and his mercies are endless. Yes, we will struggle with sin, and the enemy will not stop fighting the light. But we know who wins in the end, and thanks be to God for his goodness and his victory.  

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.