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 2:12 (NIV)
Unfortunately, some Christians set poor examples, leading nonbelievers to remark, “And they claim to be a Christian.” We must realize that the example we set determines how others perceive who we are in Christ. As believers, we must be conscious of our words and actions, understanding that the reputation of the Christian faith is at stake. The church seeks to grow and make progress, but this only happens when our lives are examples that others can safely follow.
I once heard a lady say, “People feel more comfortable doing business with Muslims because they will not cheat you, but you cannot always trust a Christian brother from your own church; he might take advantage of you.” I was shocked by this statement. Another time, I heard a sister say, “A Christian brother will teach you the Word of God, lead you to confess the lordship of Jesus, and still defraud you of your money.” When confronted, they might even excuse themselves by saying, “A Christian cannot sin,” which is a terrible misrepresentation of our faith.
The Christian faith is based on selfless love—a love so deep that it thinks no evil and puts others before itself. Our faith should be a demonstration of kindness that reflects the life of Jesus, who never thought only of Himself but of others. We should be full of compassion and understanding toward the suffering of those around us, which should lead us to help rather than deceive them. We need to remember that God loves good deeds; He loves people who do well and hate evil.
We see a perfect example of this in the book of Job, where the Lord speaks to Satan about His faithful servant.
Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? —Job 1:8 (NKJV)
God highlighted these traits because they are the exact qualities He wants to see and celebrate in all His children. The Christian life should be a standard that many can emulate. Just as we follow Christ and are inspired by the actions of His disciples, people should be able to look at our lives and want to follow us.
Sadly, some justify their wrongdoings by acting as though Christ condones evil. However, being a Christian does not permit you to do wrong, because God hates evil. The Christian faith establishes a pattern of goodness, so do not cause others to misunderstand who Jesus is or what His body stands for. As believers, let us come together and extend the goodness of Christ by bringing out the best in ourselves. May your life always be worthy of emulation. Amen!
Today’s Rhema
Let your life be an example to many!
Prayer
Father, I declare that my life is an example to be followed by all. I declare that from today, I will display the good in me and will never use my Christian faith or the Word of God to defend or promote evil deeds. Thank you, Father, for loving me and helping me to be a positive influence on many. Amen!
