SCRIPTURE:
“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.”
1 Peter 2:12
OBSERVATION:
As followers of Jesus, our beliefs will be foreign to the world and in some cases will be perceived as offensive and wrong. We are called to live such good lives, that though others may come against us, that they would see our good deeds and glorify God.
APPLICATION:
When I was very young in my walk with the Lord, I would be on my best behavior at church and amongst my church friends. Once I wasn’t around them, I would go back to being my old self. Transformation was not in my vocabulary yet.
There was one occasion in particular during this time that sticks out in my mind. I was out and about when a close brother from Church ran into me. He said to my friends “Wow, you guys must be shocked at how much he’s changed. He’s a different guy now.”
I’ll never forget the response. Someone in the group chuckled and said “Who? This guy? Nah.”
While I went to church, there wasn’t much evidence beyond that of my walk with the Lord. I’ve heard it asked this way: If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
I wasn’t making the teaching about God our savior attractive at all (Titus 2:10). That event in my life began a journey of self-reflection that continues to this day, where Christ highlighted the areas I had been falling short in.
There is a watching world with their eyes squarely focused on us. In everything I do, in the way I live my life, I must ensure that not only am I a pleasing aroma to my brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to my brothers and sisters in the world.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have not been a good witness of Your love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. Thank You Lord for the opportunities You place in front of me to share more about You. May I live such a good life that the teaching of You becomes attractive to those around me, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
