October 30, 2023

         People often set goals.  Some set professional goals.  Others have personal goals.  Some Christians make a commitment to read the Bible through in a year.  Other Christians may want to invite a certain number of people to worship or church events.  Perhaps you have set some goals.  Often, we can have a mixed record when it comes to setting and meeting goals.  We often have great ambitions and dreams but the execution is a bit weak.  In his own words, Peter offered a worthy goal for all believers—whether new to a relationship with Christ or a seasoned believer.  The old fisherman wrote, “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).  That one verse is a high bar—a lofty standard of faith and discipleship for all who take walking with Christ and their faith seriously.  We see at least five truths that we can apply to our lives today.
            First, this verse is a command.  Peter began with a single word—live.  The command is to do what we read and what follows.  We are to apply these words—not just know them but actually do them.  Remember what James had to say about hearing and doing what the Lord commands.  James wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22-26).  Peter summarized James’ more lengthy command in a single word—live.  To live means to do these things, to practice them and to make them a part of your life.  Peter wrote to give us a sound application.
            Second, Peter taught us to live “good lives.”  Give some thought to how you live and the manner in which you conduct yourself.  “Goodness” is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) that is indicative of the Lord living in us and working through us.  We are not just to live any way we may wish.  We are to be intentional in choosing to live a good life.  We are not to waste our lives or turn our lives into a spree of indulgence to live as we wish.  We are to be thoughtful and decisive in choosing to live for the Lord.  A good life is not born out of doing something good simply to see what we might gain in return.
            Third, we are to live well among pagans.  We are not to let others drag us down.  We are to stay faithful, consistent and true each day no matter what the individuals and places around us may be doing.  A good life lived for pagans to see is a witness—a witness or testimony that may successfully call others to Christ and the hope that He alone brings and offers.  Often, serving Christ and living for Christ can be challenging in the world around us.  It is relatively easy to follow Christ when surrounded by other believers.  But to be a disciple of Christ in an environment where there is indifference to Christ or even outright hostility is another matter altogether.  We have to decide to live this way.  We have to make a choice to lean into Christ and face the headwinds of resistance straight on.
            Fourth, let your life be your best argument for your faith.  We can speak about our faith but we must also live it out—express it so others can see it.  Some people can come to Christ based on what they see in you and from you more than by listening to what you say—no matter how good and sincere your words might be.  Peter was trying to encourage us to live in a way that makes it clear who we love and serve as Lord.  He was bidding us to live a Christ-revealing life even if no words were ever spoken in testimony or witness.  Words may not always be possible but a Christ-centered life is always a good strategy and can be done.   
            Fifth, Peter reminds us that God will “visit us” one day.  The Lord will return.  He has promised to do so.  More than once, Scripture reminds us that the Lord is going to come back and will come for His people.  This world is not the end.  When the Lord does return, we want to ensure that He finds us doing His will and work—not living idly or selfishly.  Anticipating the Lord’s return is not an exercise in navel-gazing or speculation.  We are not to live idly and passively—putting aside what we know should be doing with the excuse that the Lord could come back at any time.  We should not waste effort and energy setting dates, times and fostering unhealthy speculation about when the Lord returns.  We take Him at His Word and trust Him to come—at a time of the Father’s choosing.  Our ambition is to be ready for that return—and we stay ready to keep from getting ready.
            We can set goals for being thankful and grateful.  We can set goals for prayer and Bible reading.  We can set goals for sharing our faith and reaching out to others who need the Lord and/or a church home.  God calls His people to be active, faithful and dogged in their determination to know Him and make Him known.  If a hundred people reading this sentence decided to share their faith with one person per month for a year the result would be 1200 people hearing the gospel.  If only two percent responded, that would be 24 new followers of Christ.  If twenty percent responded, that would be 240 new followers of Christ.  Set some goals for your faith and how you follow Christ.  Let these goals help you stay accountable to Him.  Have a great day!  Remember you can share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.