How Now Do I Live in This Culutre?1 Peter 2:11-12 (New International Version)
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live 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. First, we must live with a commitment to do what's right. Obviously, we as believers, must follow God's law. But it also includes doing what's right in our society, workplace, relationships, etc.
2. Next, whatever we are, say, and do, we must be relevant, or understandable. We need to use "their" (as in, another culture or the unsaved) language and behaviors. This is where it can be tricky and controversial. Some would say, "so does that mean I can go and do ________?" Well, remember, first we must be right. If you're not right, you're blowing your whole testimony. What is right/wrong is a whole other post, if not a whole other BLOG! :)
3. Finally, we have to be redemptive. We need to live in a way that calls people to want to be with God. It's the whole "something's different about you; what is it?" deal. A person that carries around a placard saying "God hates fags" is not going to be redemptive to those around him. On the flipside, a person that is loving, humble, caring, etc, etc, etc, is naturally going to invite those to learn more.
Mark ended with this statement - "Live in such a way that you're rooted in the way that is right, but live in a way that is beneficial to those around you." Good stuff. Easy to say, many times hard to do.
One final quote, which could lead to another discussion...... :)
“Christians often just don’t believe, in our heart of hearts,
that what happens in the workplace, in school, on
playgrounds, really has the same kind of eternal
significance as the work we do in the church. We tend to see
“the world” largely as a place from which we call people
into the life of the church, rather than as a place to which
God calls people from the church.”
Andy Crouch
2 comments:
Just checking the sig? I already said it was great! :) I'm sure there's more to come or you're checking your sig or something... I'm off to bed!
Ouch, the workplace and "out in the world" is where our witness is--and the testimony in our relationships there in how we are living for Christ. Jesus didn't go to the churches to heal, and meet the needs. We cannot forget about the people that we spend more time with during the week than at our homes, families, and church. Very powerful quote and liked what put about "right" and how living. Have a blessed day and thanks for sharing. Love deep thoughts & conversations.
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