This is God’s Will
“Grow in Goodness”
1 Peter 2:9-25

Two weeks ago, we said that God’s will is that we have the right outlook on life: that we rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all situations.

Last week we said that God’s will is that we should be full of the Holy Spirit, be influenced by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit. And we said that the key to being full of the Spirit, is to surrender to Jesus and abide in Jesus.

Today, we’re going to see that God’s will for us … is that we do good. (1 Peter 2:15)

Peter, in the passage we’re going to study today, doesn’t really tells us what good things to do. 

Instead he tells us who we are, how we live, and who we follow. Because if we can get those three things right, we will grow in goodness, which is God’s will. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

The will of God is that we understand our identity – Who we are
	But you are a chosen race.
	But you are a royal priesthood.
	But you are a holy nation.
	But you are a people for his own possession.

We are God’s people!

What is the intended outcome of us being graced with such an amazing identity as God’s people? We have the unique opportunity to proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:11-12)

The will of God is that our conduct reflects our identity – How we live
	When we live as exiles, we’re reflecting our identity. (1 Peter 2:13-20; Hebrews 11:13-16)

These two passages shine light on something that each of us feel from time to time: an unsettling sense of not-at-homeness.

So we know what that feels like, to be a stranger in a place that isn’t our home. We should feel it whenever our Christian values, our lifestyle, our hopes and dreams, our priorities, collide with the dominant culture around us. That happens a lot.

This world is not our home. 

Live with a stranger’s mentality
	We abstain from worldly passions.
	We conduct ourselves honorably.
	We practice good deeds. 

When we submit to authority, we’re reflecting our identity – How we live
(1 Peter 2:13-20; Hebrews 13:7; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-2)

Peter identifies three areas where Christian submission applies
	Government
	Authorities
	Each other

Submit to government. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
Does that mean that submission to authority is an absolute command? No. When the laws of men compel us to deny or violate a law of God, we cannot submit. 

The midwives in Egypt refused to kill their newborn boys in violation of Pharaoh’s order. (Exodus 1:17)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in captivity in Babylon, refused to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar as a God. (Daniel 3:13-18)

The apostles refused to stop preaching about Jesus, in violation of the Council. (Acts 4:18-20)
The early martyrs demonstrated the same convictions when they were burned at the cross for violating the rules of the state, rather than deny their faith in Jesus.

Peter teaches us:
	Be a good citizen. 
	Obey the government.
	Submit to every authority instituted among men.

Submit to those in authority over us. (1 Peter 2:18)
	It extends to all those in authority over us.
	It extends to good authorities and bad authorities.
	It extends to harsh settings as well as favorable settings.

Submission is not conditional on the virtue of the one being submitted to. 
	We’re to obey. 
	We’re to respect.
	We’re to submit.

Submit to each other. (1 Peter 2:17)
	Honor everyone. 
	Love the brotherhood. 
	Giving ourselves to each other in mutual submission. 

The will of God is that we would follow Jesus’ example – Who we follow (1 Peter 2:21-25)
	Live as God’s people: chosen, royal, holy, set apart.
	Live like exiles, separate, unattached to the world’s glittering distractions.
	Live under authority, submitting ourselves to government, to authorities, and to each 
	other, out of respect for Christ.

You see, becoming a Christ-follower is not an arrival at our final destination; it’s the acquisition of a compass. 
Because Jesus is your Shepherd, the Overseer of your soul, and because He chose you to be completely His, He has both the power and the love to carry you through all your dark nights, all your valleys, all the things that challenge you, and enable you to look at your life and say, “This is God’s Will.”