So get rid of all
evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all
unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk
so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for
this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s
kindness.
Living Stones for
God’s House
You are coming to
Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was
rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living
stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more,
you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you
offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,
“I
am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
Yes, you who trust
him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject
him,
“The
stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
And,
“He
is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because
they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was
planned for them.
But you are not like
that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy
nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others
the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his
wonderful light.
“Once you
had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s
mercy.”
Dear friends, I warn
you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from
worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to
live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they
accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and
they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Respecting People
in Authority
For the Lord’s
sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to
punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
It is God’s will
that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who
make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are
God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear
God, and respect the king.
