I recently preached a sermon on 1 Peter 2:13-25. The meaning of the text is (unfortunately?) clear, "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution...for this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people" (2:13, 15 ESV). Knowing that the text demanded an application that had political overtones, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous. So, in preparation I tried imagining four people who serve Christ, yet could not be more divergent in their political views. Many contacted me afterward stating that it was helpful to them. Perhaps you will find it beneficial as well.

Fair warning, it is a minefield, so walk gingerly.

"Imagine two households move into a new subdivision in our suburb. One is a Christian family from Nebraska who publicly condemns abortion and gay marriage and hasn't missed a church service since the first Bush administration. The other household has two lesbians from San Francisco who were just married in Massachusetts and have co-written a book entitled, 'Gay is the New Black: How the Racism of Christians in the Old South has Infected the United States and Abuses the Homosexual Community.'

I think Peter would tell this Christian family, 'Don't move away. Do good to your neighbors. Change their perceptions about how homosexual people are treated by Christians with your actions.'

Now let's move into the more explosive minefield of honoring the governing authorities in our heated political climate.
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In a democratic society that is built on the premise that robust debate and free speech is be valued, I think Christians can and should exert a large influence upon society.

We need Christian artists and businessmen and politicians.

With that said, I also believe that passages like this one should give us great caution about our attitude and our behavior as we engage in the political conversation.

For example, not only do I think that we should be the first name on the petition to repeal Roe v. Wade (if that were possible), but we should also be willing to take out second mortgages on our houses to take in unwanted babies.

I think we should warn society about the dangers of homosexual behavior and wave the flag of heterosexual monogamy as the best and only definition of marriage, but we should also be the first to offer our spare bedroom to a person in need regardless of their sexual orientation.

I think Christians should condemn racism in all it forms.
I think every Christian family should pray about whether God is calling them to adopt an orphan.
I think Christians should pray for the candidates in the upcoming election and vote their convictions.
I think churches can and should encourage their congregations to get out and vote for the best candidate to lead the country without endorsing anyone.
I think Christians should feel free to constructively criticize the President. In fact, this is a good value of our society that fosters accountability. But, I also think Christians should pray for Barack Obama and submit to the office he holds as Christians are commanded to do.
I think Christians should realize that neither political party is the exclusively Christian party and should not blindly support the platforms of either without discernment through the lens of the Word of God.
I think Christians should realize that big business and big government can be dangerous for society because both are run by sinful human beings. For every Rod Blagovich there is an Enron.
I think Christians should be famous for good works.
I think Christians should serve the poor and speak their mind.
I think Christians should speak their mind with humility, grace, and firm conviction.
I think Christians should serve the poor with fervor, joy, and excitement.
I think Christians should be the salt that preserves our society with good works and the light that speaks the truth and calls out its errors.
I think Christians should never apologize for the gospel nor its implications, ever."