Attraction and obedience

1 Peter, 2: 9-17

“One sanctimonious hypocrite makes 100 unbelievers”.
Joy Davidman

“If only 10% of the world’s population had Holiness, would not the whole world be converted and happy before years end?”
C.S. Lewis

Peter is expanding on a lesson that was first taught by Jesus (render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s), and what Paul expanded in the book of Romans. (Romans, 13:1-7)

Peter first shows us that we should; “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
He does this by telling us to abstain from sinful desire and live such good lives that though we are accused of doing wrong, that other people may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
We do this by “submitting” (hupotasso) ourselves, for the Lords sake, to every authority among men, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right.
Peter is not telling us to compromise our consciences, he told us in the book of Acts to obey God rather than men. But in most aspects of life it is possible and desirable for us to live in accordance to the laws of the land. We are to do this for the Lords sake so that the good news and his people will be respected. If we are to be punished, it should be for obeying God and not breaking moral or civil law.