Our world is filled with arguing, bickering, and anger. Everyone has an opinion that must be shouted over other shouted opinions. So many words. So much riled-up emotion.
Yet with all the clamor, not much good appears to be happening. Much ado about nothing. All bark and no bite. Any number of clichés seem to fit the bill!
Christians live in the midst of this noise. Unfortunately, we’re tempted to become like those around us. Many Christians are now part of the arguing, bickering anger shouting opinions over others. And still nothing seems to be happening.
1 Peter is written to believers who are strangers and pilgrims in this world. Believers are citizens of heaven, people living for a better country like the Great Cloud of faithful witnesses in Hebrews 11. This is not our home, we’re just passing through. He tells us not to live like the mob around us.
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
The world around us is doing what they want to do. Fleshly desires dictate behavior. Peter says not to do that; fleshly lusts are killing your soul, they suck spiritual vitality right out of you. He goes on to say:
“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
1 Peter 2:12
Peter tells us to do good deeds, so much so that they become our way of life. The word “honorable” and the word “good” are the same Greek word, kalos.
If you look up kalos in a Greek dictionary, like Strong’s or Thayer’s, the first word they will use in their definition is “beautiful.”
How cool is that?!
Do beautiful works! Have a beautiful way of life, a way of life that unbelievers see and can recognize the beauty, the dignity, the goodness of how we live. This good and beautiful way of life may even attract unbelievers to the Gospel.
Peter says later in 1 Peter that this good way of life will lead us to have a good conscience which will allow us to be ready to answer anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).
One of the best ways to spread the Gospel is through a beautiful life spent doing beautiful deeds. People will wonder at the good deeds you do, and the calmness by which you do them, and will ask why you are living so differently? How can you maintain calm in the midst of suffering? How can you keep doing good when the results, according to Peter, are often fiery trial? Of course, they will only ask these questions if you’re doing these things!
Faithfully doing good is a beautiful way to spend a life. Even more so when our deeds help bring others to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Live a beautiful life doing beautiful deeds that draw people to the beautiful Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a way more attractive life than following the angry, arguing mob around us.
Pray for opportunities to do beautiful works.
Pray for the right attitude to show when suffering might result from our beautiful works.
Pray for the words to say to convey the beauties of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray for strength to persevere to the end, to not faint so we will reap the fruit of our labor.
