"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 has definitely got to be one of my favorite books of all time. Everytime I find myself struggling and downcast, I always happen to come back again and again to 1 Peter.
Over the weekend one of the leaders and I were just kickin back watching the tv and talking, and the topic of partying came up into our conversation. Apparently there was an event going on that night and while sharing each others temptations, they said, "I kinda want to go to that party.. Just stop by and see people's faces, maybe say hi and leave."
There's nothing wrong with wanting to socialize. And as tempting as it sounded to me as well, 1 Peter 2:12 pretty much kicked me in the face. We as Christians lead by example and not by our mouths. Although there is no direct "harm" in stepping into a party and saying hello to people, others may not understand our intentions. They might get the wrong idea and judge these so-called Christians, thus justifying their unbelief in God even more. I know this because I still think like this sometimes. We can't control the way other people think and view us; so it is only immature and arrogant to say "well that's their problem; I dont' care what anyone thinks as long as I know that I'm not doing anything wrong." This is why the Bible tells us to live by example; because all the talk in the world of doing good for others counts for nothing if you can't follow through with actions. But with those actions, we must be careful in how we present ourselves to the world. 1 Peter 1:15 says "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do"
God- set me apart from the world.. Let me be an example and a light towards others, so that when others see the work that I do for You, they will see Your glory.
