October 1
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation,” 1 Peter 2:11-12.
The apostle Peter addresses Christians as sojourners and pilgrims in this world. We are just passing through. Heaven is our home. As we journey along through this life, we should not let the lusts of our sinful flesh distract us from our Christian journey.
Peter says that the fleshly lusts war against the soul. Our sinful flesh, our old Adam, our inherited sinful nature, is constantly carrying on a battle against our Christian faith. Our sinful nature tells us that we would be much happier and much better off if we listened to the voice of our sinful old Adam.
The apostle tells us that we should conduct ourselves in an honorable way among the Gentiles – that is, among the heathen unbelievers in this world with whom we come into contact. While Christians are not of this world, nevertheless we are living in this world, and we are subject to all of the temptations of our sinful flesh and the temptations of the world and of the devil. Yes, indeed, life is a battle against all the forces of evil.
The people of this world, the unbelieving Gentiles, the non-Christians, criticize the Christians and call them evildoers. Yes, ridiculous as it sounds, Christians are blamed for all of the evil that is in the world! In view of that fact, Peter urges Christians to live a life of God-pleasing good works, which will silence the voices of the critics. To put it briefly, Peter says, “If you really are a Christian, then live like a Christian!” Through your Christian life, give all glory to God.
Through our Christian life, we should lead the non-Christians and the critics to see the error of their criticism. Hopefully, by deed as well as by word, we can touch the cold hearts and the consciences of unbelievers so that they will see the error of their ways. Through our witnessing with the word of the Gospel and our Christian works, the Holy Spirit can invite and persuade them to believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinners.
The story is told of a missionary who was approached by a heathen man in a foreign land. He told the missionary that he wanted to become a member of the Christian congregation. The missionary was sure that the man had never attended a worship service and had never heard the Gospel. He told the man, “You have never heard the Gospel! Why do you want to become a member of the Church?” The man replied, “I have seen the Gospel!” The members of the Christian congregation lived their Christian faith. Their lives were a testimony to the truth of the Gospel!
By word and by our good works, let it be known that we believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and our Savior, who redeemed us by His suffering and death on Calvary’s cross. With His holy, precious blood He washed our sins away, and by His resurrection He conquered death and the devil.
“Destroy in me the lust of sin,
From all impureness make me clean.
Oh, grant me pow’r and strength, my God,
To strive against my flesh and blood!
Create in me a new heart, Lord,
That gladly I obey Thy Word,
And naught but what Thou wilt, desire;
With such new life my soul inspire.” Amen.