1 Peter 2: 17--19
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
--NIV
In the name of God, amen.
This week we are looking at how good works reflect the fact that we have been called to faith. There are little things in our daily lives which serve to show us, as well as others, if our faith is genuine. Look at those indicators in your own life:
Do you love your brothers in the faith? Or are you gossiping about them and putting them down? Maybe you are simply apathetic toward them and don't really care if they remain in the faith or not. Do you really respect God as the One Who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell? Or is He simply there when you want something, but is ignored otherwise? What is your attitude toward your boss at work? Grumble, grumble and complain constantly? Do you bad mouth your boss to everyone?
I suspect, like most people, the indicators show that your faith is pretty weak. If that is the case then listen to St. Peter's urging and live your faith. Turn to Jesus in humility. Receive the clean clothing of righteousness that He gives you through Baptism. Drown your sinful nature in repentance and let the new man rise up this day to serve the Lord in Spirit and in truth.
Dear repentant sinner, Your sins are forgiven because of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ our Savior. You are clothed in His righteous life. He raised you to life when He rose from the dead. May this knowledge become a living faith that shows itself in every part of your life. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, as we look carefully at our lives, we see that our faith is very weak. Forgive us for that weak faith because of our Savior's innocent death on the cross. Cover us with His righteousness and raise us up out of the death of sin to a new life that shows itself in everything that we think, say, and do. We ask this to Your glory by the power of Your Holy Spirit, in our Savior's name, amen.