Live good lives

Live Good Lives
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.
Peter here calls believers in Christ Jesus, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God...”
He commands believers to abstain from sinful desires, to live good lives among those around us.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44
He goes on to say,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  
   Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48.
We are to live lives that are better than those around us.
One of the criticisms I have heard consistently over the years is about Christians is that they do not live their life any better than those around them. And in some cases the life they live is worse than the people around them.
We have an obligation as believers in Christ Jesus to live a life that is as good and holy as possible. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.
Thus the questions every individual who believes in Christ Jesus must ask themselves is, Am I living a good and holy life?
Do people see Christ in my life without me saying a word?
Please think about it.

Live good lives

Live good lives
The apostle Peter states,
“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.
Do you do this?
Many years ago I was told by my first pastor to memorize the words of Jesus who said,

“So in everything,

 do to others what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                                                         Matthew 7:12.

He told me if you sincerely believe what Jesus is saying you will always remember to present the gospel of Christ in a respectful manner to all who will listen.
In following these words of Christ you will find yourself respecting those of different faiths, lifestyles, and positions in life.
Not only that you will find yourself being respected by others. And those who have the respect of others find it easier to present the gospel of Christ to non-believers.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men

 and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

                                                                                       Hebrews 12:14.

Please think about it.

Live Good Lives

Live Good Lives
          The apostle Peter wrote,
“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 2:11,12.
This is a call through the ages to all Christians. We must live as Peter says,
“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.”
  The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
  Hebrews 12:14.
“Without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
In other words if we are acting like the world and doing things the way the world is doing things then people are not going to see God.
Billy Graham said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”
                                                                                                   Billy Graham.
If you’re a Christian reading this take a few minutes to assess your lifestyle, your way of doing things. Does your life reflect what Jesus would do or does it resemble the world.
Take a look at any ministries you support are they acting like Christ? Are they showing Love and compassion for the world or heaping condemnation and judgement on the world? Are they trying to sell as one pastor said to me, lotions, potions, and other junk?
As Christians we are to live holy lives. Lives different from the world. We have no right to judge the world.
Remember the apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The call of Jesus to Christians is,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
                                                                           Matthew 28:18-20.
The call of Jesus to the world is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                       Matthew 11:28-30.
The choice Jesus gives the world is,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                               John 3:16-18.
The world however will not listen to or even hear the message God want them to hear if we are not living our lives differently from the world.
As the writer of Hebrews put it,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
Hebrews 12:14.
So dear Christian are you living at peace with all men? Are you living a life of holiness that helps point people to God?
Francis of Assisi made two interesting statements we as Christians need to think about he said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 
                                                                                           Francis of Assisi.
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                                     Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling those around you?
Please think about it.