Our Christian Responsibilities

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17 NIV

            Life as a Christian is not an easy task. It has never been without the Lord’s help. We live in a world that is dominated by Satan’s influence and any rejection of that influence is met with resistance. However we are called to be a light in this dark world and salt for a preservative to prevent the spoilage cause by evil. The apostle Peter reminds us of our responsibilities as Christians as a way to work this out. And our Lord expects us, with His help, to live in such a way as to bring glory to Him.

            We begin by showing proper respect to everyone. Yes, even those we do not agree with and those who do us harm. Every person is made in the image of God and for that they deserve respect. Allow everyone to see Jesus in us and be transparent by being obedient to His Word.

            Love the family of believers. Unfortunately our love for fellow Christians is, at times, not what it should be. Apparently it was also true in Peter’s day. Jesus addressed our duty to love our Christian brothers and sisters by saying, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

            Christians are also to fear God. Fear in the sense of a “reverential awe” for who He is; Holy, the creator of all things, the sustainer of life, merciful, gracious, just, all powerful, all knowing, and a loving God.

            Lastly, Peter instructs us to “honor the emperor”, those in authority over us. The Roman emperor in Peter’s day was Nero. Peter tells his readers to honor Nero. Honor is to “highly regard” with “inner respect.”  We are to be obedient to the governmental authorities, except when the law goes against the law of God according to scripture. (Acts 5:29)

            Yes, life as a Christian is not an easy task and we cannot do it in our strength. But with the Lord’s help we can “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” and fulfil ‘Our Christian Responsibilities.’

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