2:11
Why should slaves obey their masters and seek to live lives worthy of respect? Indeed, why should any of us do that? A twofold reason is given. First of all the grace of God offers salvation to all, that includes slaves and it includes masters. We do not need to seek a worldly “salvation”. We see people seeking a “worldly salvation” in all sorts of areas, but especially peoples who are oppressed or downtrodden in some way, or view themselves as so. LGBT people demand rights, even that they are celebrated. Others look to the BLM approach as a relief from racism. In cases such as these there almost certainly has been serious mistreatment and oppression, but their method of seeking salvation is delusional. All it does is swap the oppression round. In Scotland there are many who see the English as the problem and so support independence. Independence may or may not be a good thing, but to see it as a source of salvation is also delusional. In the words of the Who (the rock group, not the health organisation), “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
2:12
The second reason is vitally important, and one that is so often missed out when people think of God loving us. The grace of God “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”. God’s salvation is first of all saving us from ourselves. We are all sinners. We need to become different, we need to act and live differently, and the grace of God enables us to do this. This is true empowerment.
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