Ezekiel 24-26 1 Peter 2

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage 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 2:11-12 NCV)

One of the things Peter would say to Christians today is that “your lives matter.” Or at least they should. He reminded early Christians that they were foreigners and exiles in this world. Sometimes we get so accustomed to living on this earth that we forget that our citizenship is in heaven and we’re living on this earth for a short time. This isn’t our permanent residence. As such, we’re called to live exemplary lives here on this earth so that the pagans who would accuse us of doing wrong will only be able to glorify God because of our good deeds when Christ comes again.

Sadly, we as Christians seem to be very comfortable in this world. Our lives show no distinction from the lives of non-believers in many important statistics. We don’t abstain from sinful desires, we embrace them. We have no problem with the behaviors of non-believers because we’re acting just like them. When we do have a problem, we tend to judge others, loudly, and not only engage in the same sin, offer no solution to those caught in their sin. How can we while we live the same way. Peter’s call remains true today. Christians, don’t get comfortable here because this world is not your home. Don’t live according to the standards and desires of this world but live by God’s standards and show and tell others about God’s love and mercy.

Lord, it’s so tempting just to settle down and live like this world is our home. Help me to live as an example of Your love and grace. Keep me from the sinful desires which draw me in and let me live a life that glorifies You.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.