Posted on 03/18/2012 5:08:03 AM PDT by God-fear-republican
THE TEACHING OF ST. PETER ON CHRISTIAN LIFE (1Peter2:1-18)
A Christian is a stranger and pilgrim on earth as he is surrounded by the world, by carnal desires and pagans. The world is carnal, irreligious, absent of God, unfavorable, dangerous and violent to Christianity. Therefore, beware of becoming one of the world or conforming to worldly standards.
Proceed warily, watch yourself, be like a fox but gentle as a dove as the Blessed Lord once said. The object might appear good, the roguish might look innocent. Be charitable to all but do not become friend readily. Charity by praying, forgiving, instructing with actions, not words. Use the utmost discretion while dealing with the world. Remember your spirit is more delicate, easily being deflowered or defiled than a virgin. Be ready to forgive as forgiveness is from God. And repentance and penance make a soul whole and pleasing again to Him.
Pray for the dying sinners. Beware of their mental state, fearful, distrustful, and doubtful. They are mortified at their past and they turn to despair about the Divine mercy for supreme confidence and security can only exist in the soul free of mortal sins and serious sins in general.
Work for God’s glory in converting the unbelievers but you have to be different from them. Be careful not to provoke any complaint but only positive response by your righteous and holy conduct to prepare for the Lord’s coming onto that soul.
Be subject to authority out of consideration for God but also be ready to die to defend the Divine Law and Commandments in order not to betray God out of the fear of men. Discern all social matters with a supernatural view or with your spirit, with gravity, with consideration for God’s Will which after all is the motive for Christian daily living, not based on man’s law or policies.
Respect everyone’s free will. You have no right to violate one’s free will, the inalienable right from God, which even the Lord honors. Eternally condemned is those who force heretic or demonic teachings or concepts on others.
You must pray and suffer for the conversion of your ideological enemies, not by eloquent speech, but by forgiving, open-minded, and by leading a holy life, not by unholy accusation, violence or devious scheme. Imitate our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ by praying, “Father, forgive them as I have forgiven them.”
Do not give any man greater honor than you give God in thoughts, in love, in attention, in manner, in attire, in speech, in your visible and social conduct, in everything, so that everyone around you know for certainty that you belong to God. For no idolatry is left without punishment, honor the dignitaries especially the ecclesiastic, but give God glory alone. Recognize a wicked leader by his works, not being enchanted by his title.
Be obedient to your leaders, parents, or masters without rancor or envy, without dishonesty or betrayal. See God’s Will in all things; conduct all things with righteousness, saying, “Father, I serve You with meekness and obedience. Sanctify my works and grant me Grace to do your holy Will.” This constant obedience to the Divine Will is meritorious and pleasing to God. The seraphic Father, St. Francis once said, “Perfect joy does not lie in learning or different things, but in doing the Will of the Father and by being able to suffer afflictions and sorrows patiently out of the love of God.”
It is an expiation, a settlement of a debt, when you suffer for your own sin; it is a great Grace, which sparkles in the Eyes of God, when you suffer for others’ sins. Labor with your mortal body for the glory of God. Share the treasure of Grace and Faith you have received unworthily from Him to all spiritually hungry Lazaruses of the world for His Glory and the salvation of souls.
Glory be to the Most Beloved Holy Father, to His Son our Most Blessed Lord, and to the Most Glorious and Gracious Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
(Compiled from various sources)
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