(a) Outline Peter's instructions on good citizenship. (b) In what three ways can Christians act as good citizens today.

Answer Details

(a) Peter's instructions on good citizenship (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Peter wrote to believers scattered as strangers in a hostile society, urging them to live honourably so that their good conduct would silence slander and glorify God. His instructions were:

• Submit to lawful authority: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution." Government is to be obeyed because it operates under God's providence.
• Honour the emperor and governors: He named the emperor as supreme and the governors as those sent to punish wrongdoers and commend those who do right.
• Do good and silence ignorance: By right conduct Christians would put to silence the ignorance of foolish men who accused them falsely.
• Live as free men, yet as servants of God: Christian liberty must never be used as a cover-up for evil but exercised responsibly under God.
• Fourfold summary of duty: "Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king."
• Submission even under injustice: Servants should respect their masters, both the gentle and the harsh, enduring unjust suffering for conscience toward God.

(b) Three ways Christians can act as good citizens today

1. Obey the laws of the land and pay taxes: keeping constitutional laws, traffic and public-health rules, and paying taxes and rates honestly.
2. Contribute to nation-building: voting wisely, joining community development, defending the nation, and rejecting bribery, corruption and examination malpractice.
3. Pray for and respect leaders: praying for those in authority, honouring constituted authority, and seeking reform through lawful means rather than violence.