They were “elect exiles” (1Pet. 1:1). They were dealing with the circumstances of their here and now even as they “set their hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). Sojourners in a foreign land which was practicing foreign ways, they were “grieved by various trials” (1:6). And yet, by God’s power, they were “guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5). And Peter, led by the Spirit of God, seeks to answer the question they all should have been asking: “How should we then live?” (Thanx Francis Schaeffer for the question).

So, amidst the truths to be known reminding them of the wonders of their salvation — “things into which angels long to look” (1:12), these weary wanderers — on their way “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven” for them — were also given commands to be obeyed which would not only allow these pilgrims to flourish but also to be set apart (1:15-16) as citizens of heaven (Php. 3:20).

I’m chewing on one of those commands this morning. And, given the filter and bias of an election cycle, I couldn’t help to see it first with a political lens. Almost as soon as I read it, I thought to myself, “Self, in light of this you can’t vote!” (Well, and the fact that I’m Canadian). But I chew on it for a bit, and I think a better conclusion might be, “I might vote for it, but I sure can’t act like it.”

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

(1Peter 2:1 ESV)

So . . . Thus . . . Therefore . . . In light of . . . Accordingly . . . Consequently . . . What comes next is in light of the twenty-five verses that came before. This very practical exhortation is linked inextricably with the glorious exposition which has just preceded it. In light of such a great salvation, because of such a glorious hope . . .

Put away . . . Lay aside . . . Separate from . . . Distance yourself . . . And when I look at the list of what is to be cast off — malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander — I can’t help but think of our current cultural moment. I can’t help but see our current “accepted standard” for how to conduct oneself in the political public square. And my first thought is, if I am to put it off then can I in any way be associated with it, or seem to be endorsing it by voting for it? But noodle on it a bit and I sense that’s not the right application.

No, this is a command to the people of God on how to be the people of God. It’s about getting rid of ill-will, craft and guile, pretense, spite, and evil speaking as a normative dynamic within the family. So, while we might need to vote for those who practices such behaviors, we should not be infected by such behaviors. While it might be the way of the world, it shouldn’t become the way of us holy wanderers. I might have to vote for it, but Lord, please keep me from being infected by it. Keep me from adopting it.

Oh, to be in the world but not of the world.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.