Aliens and Judgement.
The apostle Peter writes,
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live 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." 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Here is a clear statement as to what a Christian is. We are a royal priesthood, a holy people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of God.
Peter also notes a critical fact all Christians must remember. We are aliens and strangers in this world. Peter goes on to tell us to abstain from sinful desires.
Sinful desires come in a variety of ways. One however I believe we miss is the judgement of others, or trying to impose our will on others. Jesus said,
"Judge not, that you be not Judged
For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, with the measure you use it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2 (ESV).
The late American evangelist Billy Graham wrote,
"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,
God's job to judge
and my job to love."
Billy Graham.
The world around us is a harsh and at times very unforgiving especially when it comes to the way we conduct ourselves. Thus it is incumbent on us to present the gospel message in love. Saying to people “this is what I believe. What about you?”
Please think about it.
