My Favorite Bible Verses and Quotes

Part: 23: Slaves of God

Slaves of God

I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions,

which are always at war against the soul. Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that

when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise

God on the Day of his coming. For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority:

to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority, and to the governors, who have been appointed by him

to punish the evildoers and to praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorant

talk of foolish people by the good things you do. Live as free people; do not, however, use your

freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God's slaves. Respect everyone, love other believers, honor

God, and respect the Emperor. The Example of Christ's Suffering You servants must submit

yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and

considerate, but also to those who are harsh. God will bless you for this, if you endure the pain of

undeserved suffering because you are conscious of his will. For what credit is there if you endure the

beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done

right, God will bless you for it. It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and

left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever

heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he

suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. Christ himself carried

our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his

wounds that you have been healed. You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have

been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.         

1 Peter 2:11-24