The Good Life
Today we go back to 1 Peter, and follow on from Tuesday's verse (1 Peter 2:11):
1 Peter 2:12 says:
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
What amazes me is a verse written 2000 years ago is SO applicable to us today. We live in a society (at least in the western world), where it's all about me me me. It's all about self-gratification, anwhat we can get, at any expense. To the 'average joe', these things seem normal. It's normal to sleep around. It's normal to have loose morals. It's normal to lie. It's normal to deceive. But not for us. We've got a higher calling:
"Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived" 1 John 2:6 (The Message)
We've gotta 'walk as Jesus walked' (NIV). That's a tall order to meet, and it's impossible to walk sin free. But with the grace given to us by God, it's possible.
When I was at university, people were 'amazed' that I wasn't set to jump into bed with any fair lady that passed by. It wasn't the norm. Yes, there were a few snide comments etc, but most people thought it was a good thing to live up to. Did it make them re-think about Christians and Christianity in general? I have no idea, but I sure hope so.
This is what Peter's getting at. Our 'good lives' can act as witnesses to those who don't know Christ yet. There's a quote that's widely associated with St Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words". Now, this isn't a replacement for good ol' evangelism, but it's certainly food for thought!
(No Ratings Yet) 
Loading ...