I Peter 2:9-19
Included in the verses of I Peter 2:9 are the words, “but ye are.” This places every Christian under close scrutiny, or another appropriate word would be a “microscope.” Pulpit commentary stated that “every Christian is bound both by witness for God with a life made fair by communion with Him, and by speech, when speech may be used.” Intelligible Christians will many times have to avow the morals which guide him or her.
Issues become urgent when they affect you, your family, friends, neighbors or your Christian community. Putting faces to issues makes the issue become very personal and important. People tend to be apathetic to injustices that affect society at large. However, when they affect us personally, or our children, grandchildren or others we know, we become concerned and engaged to become activists.
The Word of God affirms the sanctity of the marriage vows. Included in the vows are love, personal commitment, mutual support and fidelity between ONE man and ONE woman. By obeying these Biblical concepts, we teach our children what is morally sound.
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was enacted in September, 1996 and is a United States Federal Law. It defines marriage as “a legal union of one man and one woman.” The law was passed by both houses of the United States Congress with a large majority. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996.
The DOMA law, in summary, states that no state or any other political subdivision of the United States may recognize “same-sex” relationships. God’s law also states in Genesis 2:21-25, in the marriage of Adam and Eve, “a man and a woman.” He declared “Adam and Eve” not “Adam and Steve.”
Microscopically, we examine the law of the United States and God’s Laws. The President and Vice President of the United States, recently, declared their allegiance to “same-sex marriage.” This is contrary to Federal Law and God’s law. Therefore, we as Christians, must teach our children I Peter 2:9 so that they will know who they are in Christ.
“But ye are” of I Peter 2:9, puts every Christian under a microscope, and “has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Mass Media, whether intentionally or not, is undermining the truths of Christianity.
The media continually promotes non-Christian values including graphic sexual content, profanity, violence and non-functional family lifestyles. They could choose to promote, motivate and inspire but this is seldom the scenario. Family values are attacked through television, computer and the entertainment industry. Their affects are dehumanizing and with excessive sensationalism. They are, of course, in violation of Biblical teachings. For the sake of our Christian families, we must work together to halt the erosion of moral and ethical values.
States are desperate again for economic dollars, particularly for the funding of education, and once again gambling is being considered the most likely source of income. Gambling is a menace to our society and further erosion to moral values. This so-called form of pleasure is destructive to “good” government and “good” stewardship.
Those who have faith in God’s Word, should abstain from this practice and pray for those who are victims of this deed. They should seek counseling and be directed into positive and constructive habits. Pastors, church leaders and congregations should preach and teach against commercial gambling, pubic lotteries, casinos, bingo, and other ‘games of chance” as either a source of income, recreation or escape.
I Peter 2:9 states, “but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” The apostle Peter reminds us of the privileges we have as believers in Christ.
by Dr. John M. Adams • Executive Director – Moral Action
