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NOVEMBER 26
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters
to which they also were appointed. with all fear, not only to the good and gentle,
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9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal but also to the harsh. For this is commend-
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special peo- able, if because of conscience toward God one
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ple, that you may proclaim the praises of Him endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what
who called you out of darkness into His mar- credit is it if, when you are beaten for your
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velous light; who once were not a people but faults, you take it patiently? But when you do
are now the people of God, who had not good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is
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obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. commendable before God. For to this you
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pil-
11 were called, because Christ also suffered for
grims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war us, leaving us an example, that you should fol-
against the soul, having your conduct honor- low His steps:
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able among the Gentiles, that when they speak
against you as evildoers, they may, by your
good works which they observe, glorify God in
the day of visitation.
2:13 submit yourselves.“Submit”is a military
term meaning “to arrange in military fashion
under the commander,”“to put oneself in an
attitude of submission.” As citizens in the
2:11 abstain from fleshly lusts. Perhaps world and under civil law and authority, God’s
more literally,“hold yourself away from fleshly people are to live in a humble,submissive way
lusts.”In order to have an impact on the world in the midst of any hostile, godless, slandering
for God, Christians must be disciplined in an society (vv. 21–23; Prov. 24:21; Jer. 29:4–14;
inward and private way by avoiding the Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1ff., 1 Tim. 2:1; Heb.
desires of the fallen nature (Gal. 5:19–21, 10:32–34). for the Lord’s sake. Though the
where “fleshly lusts” include much more than Christian’s true citizenship is in heaven, he still
sexual temptations). which war against the must live as an obedient citizen in this world
soul. “War,” i.e., to carry on a military cam- so that God will be honored and glorified.
paign. Fleshly lusts are personified as if they Rebellious conduct by a Christian brings dis-
were an army of rebels or guerrillas who honor on Christ.
incessantly search out and try to destroy the
Christian’s joy, peace, and usefulness (4:2,3).
22 “Who committed no sin,
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordi- Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
nance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in
the king as supreme, or to governors, as to return; when He suffered, He did not threat-
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those who are sent by him for the punishment en, but committed Himself to Him who judges
of evildoers and for the praise of those who do righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His
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good. For this is the will of God, that by doing
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good you may put to silence the ignorance of own body on the tree, that we, having died to
foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as sins, might live for righteousness—by whose
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a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. stripes you were healed. For you were like
17 sheep going astray, but have now returned to
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the king. the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
DAY 26: How are Christians described in 1 Peter 2:9?
Believers there are described as “a chosen generation.”Peter uses Old Testament concepts to
emphasize the privileges of New Testament Christians (Deut. 7:6–8). In strong contrast to the dis-
obedient who are appointed by God to wrath (v.8), Christians are chosen by God to salvation (1:2).
They are also called “a royal priesthood.” The concept of a kingly priesthood is drawn from
Exodus 19:6. Israel temporarily forfeited this privilege because of its apostasy and because its
wicked leaders executed the Messiah. At the present time, the church is a royal priesthood united
with the royal priest, Jesus Christ. A royal priesthood is not only a priesthood that belongs to and
serves the king, but is also a priesthood which exercises rule. This will ultimately be fulfilled in
Christ’s future kingdom (1 Cor. 6:1–4; Rev. 5:10; 20:6).
And they are described as “a holy nation.” Another allusion to Exodus 19:6 (Lev. 19:2; 20:26;

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