11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

There are lots of conflicts that Christians are having with the secular laws. There was a student-let Bible club involved in a four-year court battle in Buffalo, NY when they were denied meeting. The court ruled in their favor.

In another case the board officials in Metropolis, Ill. apologized to six Christian students who were threatened by police when for a couple of months, they held an early morning prayer meeting held on school grounds and someone complained. 

The Pennsylvanian highest courts didn't want Bible verses quoted during court proceedings and served notice to prosecutors they could be subject of disciplinary action if they used the Bible to support the use of death penalty. Because of the remark the high court overturned a death sentence and ordered a new sentencing hearing.             

We have been increasingly confronted with separation of church State issues. Many times, the students’ rights were upheld. Moral matters have continued to come up. We hope that we can be properly informed so we can vote our consciences.  All of this asks the question, “How can we as Christians properly relate to government?”  The Bible is very practical in this. The answer can be summed up in this way. The Bible tells Christians to be good citizens, regardless of the government that is in control.           

I'm not a farmer.  I've seen some bossy cows that kick and butt to get the other’s place. I also have learned that chickens have a peeking order. If one chicken didn't let the boss eat the corn first the boss pecked away on the head of the insubordinate chicken. Surprisingly, the other chickens also would agree, attacking the one who got out of line.           

There is harmony with order, but fighting when that order is challenged in any way. I found it interesting that there was order in the animal world among friends, but how much more is there order in the spiritual realm?  God gave us orders to follow that we might have harmony and live together peacefully. It is not only a spiritual insight; it is practical way to live.   

We live as citizens of two kingdoms. We are citizens of God's Kingdom and citizens of this world. The Bible gives us practical and forthright ways to live until Jesus returns. Peter writes about these principles to the newly formed Christian churches. These instructions are from the Lord to instruct us today living in a unchristian world.

Application:  "Abstain from sinful desire that wage war against the soul".

Prayer:   Lord, daily I am torn between two masters.   Help me to walk by the Spirit that I might not gratify the sinful flesh.