Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:1 (NIV) "[That] they may be won over without words by the behavior..."
We as believers in Christ are called to be witnesses to our world (Acts 1:8). But this constant theme in sermons, devotions, and the Bible itself is not always easy to fulfill. Sometimes we are treated rudely or unkindly. Sometimes we face physical punishment or severe verbal abuse. However, it is in these times that our actions and behavior can be our most effective testimony.
As we continue our trek through First Peter, we see, for example, that a Christian wife of an unbelieving husband can win over "without words" her husband by her "behavior" (1 Peter 3:1). The overarching principle here is clear: Whether you are a husband, a wife, or a single believer, your life can (and should) be a powerful example and testimony of God's love and grace to a sinful world.
There is another message to what Peter is saying here in his epistle. You see, we may be inclined to feel sorry for our fellow Christians and ourselves when we suffer for our faith in Jesus. Yet we need to remind ourselves that our purpose in society is to be witnesses of God's unceasing love and bold messengers of the gospel in word and deed. It is not to have a life that is free of trouble. So when we here of other Christians suffering, we need to sympathize, yes, but we also need to praise the Father that His name is being glorified in that person to bring others closer to accepting Jesus.
We are followers of the One who has promised, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). So no matter how difficult life may be, for Jesus's sake and for the sake of others eternal destiny, we must persevere. Persevere in what, you ask? Persevere in the way we conduct ourselves and live our lives, for we are "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Faith Lesson: Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:1 (NIV) "[That] they may be won over without words by the behavior..."
We as believers in Christ are called to be witnesses to our world (Acts 1:8). But this constant theme in sermons, devotions, and the Bible itself is not always easy to fulfill. Sometimes we are treated rudely or unkindly. Sometimes we face physical punishment or severe verbal abuse. However, it is in these times that our actions and behavior can be our most effective testimony.
As we continue our trek through First Peter, we see, for example, that a Christian wife of an unbelieving husband can win over "without words" her husband by her "behavior" (1 Peter 3:1). The overarching principle here is clear: Whether you are a husband, a wife, or a single believer, your life can (and should) be a powerful example and testimony of God's love and grace to a sinful world.
There is another message to what Peter is saying here in his epistle. You see, we may be inclined to feel sorry for our fellow Christians and ourselves when we suffer for our faith in Jesus. Yet we need to remind ourselves that our purpose in society is to be witnesses of God's unceasing love and bold messengers of the gospel in word and deed. It is not to have a life that is free of trouble. So when we here of other Christians suffering, we need to sympathize, yes, but we also need to praise the Father that His name is being glorified in that person to bring others closer to accepting Jesus.
We are followers of the One who has promised, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). So no matter how difficult life may be, for Jesus's sake and for the sake of others eternal destiny, we must persevere. Persevere in what, you ask? Persevere in the way we conduct ourselves and live our lives, for we are "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Faith Lesson: Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
In Christ,
Darin Smith
