1 Peter 2:11

1 Peter 2:11 says, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  Peter's appeal to Christians as pilgrims and strangers was made because that is what they and all Christians are in this world.  This is not our home, so we will always be pilgrims and strangers here.  For that reason, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts, which are of this world but are at war with our soul, or the spiritual part of us.  Verse twelve adds, Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  The Gentiles that Peter was speaking about would be those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Peter called on the followers of Christ to be living examples of the word of God even when the Gentiles were speaking evil of them, so that God might be glorified.  Peter said they would see our good works made manifest in the day of visitation, or when Christ returns.  The people of the word may always be against Christians, but we are to live our lives guided by God's word and for His glory.  Verse thirteen continues, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;   Peter tells us that we are to be subject to the law.  We are not told that we can pick and choose which laws to obey.  I believe the only exception to this would be if the law of man defies the law of God.  Verse fourteen states, Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  Peter said that we are to be subject to the law of the highest ruler here on earth, but also unto those under them.  We are to do this for the glory of God.  So, if there is a law that in no way goes against God's law and we don't like, and we choose to disobey it, does this bring glory to God?  Verse fifteen adds, For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  Peter tells us that the will of God is for Christians to obey the law, and by so doing that we will put foolish people, those who do not know God, to silence.  Veres sixteen continues, As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Peter tells us that even though we are free from the powers of the world in our everlasting salvation that we are not to use this freedom in a malicious way.  If we refuse to obey the law of the world, even though through our salvation in Christ, we may be freed from it, we are still to obey it for the glory of God.  Verse seventeen says, Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  Peter calls on us to give honor to all men and to fellow Christians.  There are not two sets of rules for how we treat others, but we are to treat the lost and our fellow believers with respect.  Peter also tells us that we are to fear God, which does not mean to live in fear of Him but with an awesome respect for Him, and to honor the king, or earthly rulers.  Verse eighteen adds, Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  Peter tells us that we are to be subject to those in power over us, not only those that are kind to us but even to those who may not be.  We are to live in a way that always brings glory to God.