Being an Example

Scripture: 1 Peter: :11-12 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Observation: Live a life that will be an example even to the pagens. God will work through you life to change their view, belief and trust in God.

Application: There are going to be those how accuse ou of doing wrong, those who try and persuade you to join them in things you know you shouldn't do. Scripture tells us to resist. To live a life that is good even among those who are accusing you of doing wrong. They want you to get on their level. Their desire is for you to get into the mud with them. Peter tells us not to do that...to be above it adn through our good life, we will be an example that God can work with.

That's is an extremely easy thing to say and an incredible hard thing to put into practice. Especially when there are those who are a part of your life and are not going anywhere. Those who hae an impact on someone you love and care for. Our natural tendency is to rip them to shreds but here the Lord is guiding us as Christians down a path that does not make sense according to worldly standards. Peter is telling us to abstain from those sinful desires...I believe this means showing grace even to those who have hurt/damaged you and the people loved. It's hard and it goes contrary to my feelings inside, but I know it is what Christ would do. Turn the other cheek.