1 Peter 2:11-25
Be Still: O Lord, prepare my heart to meet you, cleanse my thoughts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name.
Read: 1 Peter 2:11-25
'Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbours. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honourable behaviour, and they will give honour to God when he judges the world.' (v12)
Encounter: As followers of Jesus, we often feel the tension of living in a world that does not share our values. For those who don’t yet follow Jesus, the world is a playground and a place to indulge in every desire and passion. But for us, it’s a battleground. Peter calls us to live in a way that is set apart and not driven by things of the world, but by a higher calling. And, because we are called to something more, the world often misunderstands us. We will also find that as we become more like Jesus that our values, attitudes and actions will rub up against the ways of the world.
The reality is that the world is watching us. They pay attention to how we speak about others, how we treat other people and how we behave in different environments. People who aren’t followers of Jesus yet are looking to see if our walk is the same as our talk. Therefore, Peter encourages us to live according to the life that Jesus has called us to live. It is when we live according to the way of Jesus that our lives become a living testimony to those who don’t yet know Jesus.
The way we live our lives has an evangelistic dimension. When we live like Jesus lived, we can soften hearts, challenge preconceptions and, ultimately, point people to Jesus himself. The way we live today may be the seed in someone’s heart and mind that blossoms into salvation tomorrow. We may never know the full impact of how God uses our lives, but we are called to trust that He will work through us.
Apply: Are there areas of my life that need to be challenged and changed? Lord, I’m open to what you want to say to me.
Devote: Lord Jesus, in a world full of temptation and opposition, help us live lives that reflect You. May we be a light that draws others to You. Use the way we live our lives to plant seeds that lead to salvation. Amen.