(I Peter 2:11-17)

What is God’s will?  This always excites enormous debate.

There are times to work hard in the complex and the deep things of God and His Word; but we must always have faith like a child.

Don’t be childish!  That gets us into trouble with the Lord and with those who are around us.

Always hope, trust, and love.  Have faith in our living God (Heavenly Father, Sacrificed and Resurrected Son, and Abiding Holy Spirit).

At the end of I Corinthians 13, Paul talks about growing up.

I Peter 2:1-3 also says to “grow up”, but never forget how you received this faith.  It was received humbly, with a contrite heart, submissive, and broken spirit.

This will always be the key that turns the lock for understanding the will of God.

What is the will of God?

Peter give three ingredients in 2:11-17.

I.                    The will of God is to submit to governing authorities (vs. 13-14).

It is God’s will that we understand that God instituted the governing authorities of this world.  We can read about this in Genesis 9.  After the worldwide flood God established that if a man kill another man, he is to be killed.  Man, in the form of human government, is responsible to do this.

I do not understand how God accomplishes His will through the governments of this world, but I do believe it.  Thus, we are simply told to submit.

II.                 It is God’s will that we live His Truth – not just talk about it (vs. 15).

III.               It is God’s will that those who are free would live like servants of God (vs. 16).

Peter sums it up like this:

-         Show proper respect to everyone

-         Love the brothers and sister in Christ

-         Fear God

-         Submit to governing authorities

Who has the authority to say such things today?

Has God spoken?

A survey that I read said that 22% of Americans believe that there are any moral absolutes.  The same survey said that 6% of teens think that there are any absolutes.

Astounding!

Has God spoken?

Yes, He has.

Can we know His will?

Yes, we can.