11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 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.
These two verses introduce the next major section of 1 Peter (2:11-4:11). Remember that chapter and verse numbers are helpful for reference but don't always point to the main divisions of a book.
This next section seems to be about how to conduct ourselves as Christians in a 'pagan' culture (a culture not embracing Jesus) in which we don't 'fit in,' which is sometimes very opposed or even hostile to Christians, and to do it in such a way as to give clear pointers toward God. We are new people, changed people (born from above or born again) living in an unchanged world...so there is bound to be tension, opposition, and discomfort. So Peter reminds us, though it isn't easy or comfortable, we are to live in a way that clearly shares the good news of Jesus...and here's the hard part: NO MATTER WHAT.
Thoughts...
It's a pep talk that still holds true today!
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ReplyDeleteMatt - I appreciate your repeated mentioning of how each section fits in context with the rest of the book. I tend to zero in on a few specific words, which sometimes yields a different impression than the Big Picture.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, all I can do is concur. For living in a supposedly Christian nation, I feel like an outsider most of the time. And lest this get political, this impression is independent of who sits in the White House, or who controls congress. I was saved during GWB, and have been looking in from the outside in ever since.
Dave , preach it , brother ! Makes me want to cry ! Denomination against denomination , church member against church member . Wouldn't it be easier to " live good lives among the pagans " with some brotherly support ? I believe it's a Billy Graham quote that if Christians got together , they could change the world .How cool would that be ?
ReplyDeleteWendy , it's great to have you back !
Naw Dave,
ReplyDeleteYou're on the inside looking out.
Of course, you're right Wendy. We are called to be IN this world, but not OF this world. Sometimes it is hard though. Big surprise.
ReplyDeleteYup, Dave, 'hard.' But, from a previous comment, I think Doc's right: you help me, I'll help you. Something about which Christians don't always agree or do. Certainly can't be done in a sanctuary of 1000 or even 200 for that matter. But you're right. Living fruitfully and faithfully as a 'real' Christian (as John Wesley would say) really depends on a small group of followers in a covenant relationship supporting and praying for each other along the way.
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