1 Peter 2:11-25
Wednesday, 28 July 2021
“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” -1 Peter 2:12 [NASB]
What does ‘Witnessing’ mean to you? Most believers would respond rightly that witnessing is sharing their faith in Christ to the world. However, beyond speaking about our faith, to some, the greatest witnessing may be just our transformed lives. A Spirit-filled life of integrity and honor, rooted in the foundation of God’s word is one of the most powerful witnessing tools that a believer has. Our transformed life will testify of God’s grace to a hostile and criticizing community, that they will start praising God. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
In living an exemplary life that draws others to Christ, Peter encourages believers to conduct themselves honorably in relation to non-believers (V.12), as citizens (Vs. 13-17), as servants (Vs.18-20), as spouses (1 Peter 3:1-7) and in any circumstance (1 Peter 3:8). Peter illustrates that the greatest example for us to follow is Christ Himself (Vs 21-25).
We are to submit to the authorities, be it a governmental authority or servant–master relationship. Understanding that every human authority placed over us is established by the will of God, we should respond in honouring them (Romans 13:1). A believer should strive to live righteously, above reproach and without comprising our faith in the midst of adversity and criticism, such that our upright behaviour may glorify God and lead others to Him. We are called to ‘…be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…’ (Philippians 2:15)
The life of Jesus Christ is the very way of life a believer is to adopt and follow. Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God left His place in Heaven and came in human form to take upon Himself the penalty for the sins of the world in order to suffer and die in our place, that we who were perishing may be rescued from the dominion of sin and death and brought into His marvelous light. ‘…although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.’ (Philippians 2:6-8).
To a world that insulted, rejected and persecuted Him, He responded with the utmost expression of divine love that He sacrificially gave up His life to save us. No matter what rejection or opposition we are met with, we are called to follow in His footsteps—as the One who endured suffering in the hands of sinners! Jesus never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly (1Peter 2:23 TLB). When we experience the agape love of God, we are able to respond to the harshest criticisms, with humility and love that will witness Christ to a “yet-to-be-saved” community.
1 John 2: 6 reminds us: The one claiming to abide in Him ought also walk just as in the same way that He walked. Let us persist in following the example Christ has set for us and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in a life that witnesses and glorifies Him alone.
Think on it: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
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