Fourth Sunday of Easter (1881)

Because we are justified and saved according to the doctrine of the divine Word without all our works and merit by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, i.e., we can contribute nothing to our salvation with our works, some opine that it is not so much how they walk and live; therefore some allow what is, contrary to the intent and spirit of Christ, unworthy of the Gospel, damaging themselves and disturbing and offensive to others. It is a great and dangerous error. However, it is very much the fact that we walk in the Truth as Christians, demonstrate our faith by a holy, godly life and as Christ says - let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven. That is why we are admonished everywhere in the Word of God, to walk worthily in the Gospel and to appear and to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Today's Epistle includes such an admonition. 1 Peter 2:11-20 That we should cultivate a holy way of life as Christians in this world; 1. how this is to be, a. in general, that we . abstain from all fleshly lusts, because they are dangerous and harmful to the spiritual life1, . walk without blame before everyone and train ourselves in good works2; b. in particular, in the social life of people, that we . render due obedience to the existing authority3, . show ourselves obliging toward superiors4, . endure possible evil and injustice with patience5 and restrain ourselves against all selfrevenge6, . show everyone due honor7, . heartily love the brethren8; 2. what should encourage us, a. the consciousness of our glorious state of grace, that we have, as God's chosen and holy people, our homeland and citizenship in heaven, therefore here in this world are only strangers and pilgrims9, so it is fitting that we walk worthily in our high calling, b. the desire to serve others for improvement, to cut off all their cause for libel and slander, and to win them for the kingdom of God10; which is why so much lies on the fact that we not only confess the Truth, but also walk in the Truth, c. the glory of God and glorifying of His Name, because that is God's will11, and redounds to the glorification of His Name when we walk holy and without blame before everyone12, to meet our obligations in the fear of God in civil relationships, to keep a pure conscience, even to recompense evil with good and good deeds13, and bear evil with patience.14
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1 Peter 2:11; Romans 13:13, 8:13. 1 Peter 2:12; Ephesians 2:10, 5:15; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Matthew 5:16 3 1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21. 4 1 Peter 2:18; Ephesians 6:5-8; Titus 2:9-10. 5 1 Peter 2:19-20; Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 3:13-17. 6 Christ's example - 1 Peter 2:21-23. 7 1 Peter 2:17. 8 1 Peter 2:17; John 13:35; Romans 12:10. 9 1 Peter 2:11. 10 1 Peter 2:12. 11 1 Peter 2:15. 12 1 Peter 2:12. 13 1 Peter 2:15. 14 1 Peter 2:19-20.