LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Peter 2:11-12, Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from the evil desires because they fight against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. (New Living Translation)

 

This weekend’s message included a discussion of four different topics. I believe that the verse above (verse 12) best summarizes the thought of what was spoken. I did add verse 11 to give further information. Peter tells Christians to stop indulging their sinful desires, to stop acting like the unsaved and start acting like they are no longer of this world. Because Christ has saved us, we are still in the world, but heaven, God’s kingdom is the kingdom we live for. The world is no longer the place we try to fit into the world’s views because our worldview is now to be biblical.

 

Yes, the world and the people of the world continue to live in the old sinful nature. I continue to go back to the words of Jesus who said the narrow way would be difficult. Our old self wants us to continue to sin; we are human. Peter wrote that sin continually attacks us; but because Jesus has saved us, we have the Holy Spirit continually helping us to say no to the temptations. As we walk the narrow way, we must continually choose the correct ways that are appropriate for God’s people. Do not give in to sin. I believe we miss the idea we must say no!

 

That brings us to verse 12. One of the pastors who spoke said the moment we get saved, we begin living in a fishbowl. In other words, once we profess we are saved by Jesus Christ, people begin to watch us to see if we change. They are watching to see if you do life differently. Do you treat people differently? Do you talk differently? Do “things” and “stuff” matter to you as much as they used to? People are watching; you do not become isolated. They see you and you see them. Do you get the picture? You need to walk the talk!

 

People want to see you slip up because they want to accuse you or belittle your belief in Jesus Christ. They may ignorantly accuse you of things you never did. So, we focus on walking on the narrow way, to living the best we know how, making the best choices possible. People notice the good works we do; let’s believe they will point someone to ask what is different about us. If asked, be ready to explain that Jesus Christ has saved and changed you. You allow the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak. That’s a great honor, by the way!

 

I believe that every Believer must live out their faith daily. We walk on the narrow way living out our faith because others will recognize we do good works because of our faith. Will it stop the ignorance and strong feelings against Christians? I do not know! But it can sure demonstrate that Christians are not dangerous or evil. It is my prayer that each of us walk strongly in our faith in Jesus Christ and by being obedient to His Word and following the leading of the Holy Spirit each day.