1 Peter chapter 2 verse 8 (NIV)
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
1 Peter chapter 2: verses 12-15 (NIV)
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. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
I think these verses in Peter’s letter have never been more relevant to the culture we find ourselves in today, at least in what we would consider western society. As biblical Christianity appears more foolish to those who are consumed by the secular, “you do you” way of life, living in the way that God intended appears to many to be foolish and wrong, and it does become a stumbling block to those who want to live as they please. That’s why our testimonies and the way that we live is so important. Where people may be reluctant or even hostile to going to church or reading the bible, we are expected to live our lives as Christians wherever we are. To some the way that we live and what we believe may be unacceptable, but if we live in a way that reflects Christ, it will also seem attractive to some.
We need to be careful however that we do not compromise our testimony by getting too comfortable with the culture of the world that we live in – we are meant to live in the world, but are not of it. The Gospel of John tells us that thus was part of Jesus’ prayer for us, that’s how important it is. But it’s easy to become comfortable and with comfort can come complacency. Reflecting on the verses in 1 Peter today, in the “Bible in One Year,” Nicky Gumbel quotes from the message version, and I think the way verse 11 of 1 Peter Chapter 2, sums up the warning for us perfectly. It reads, ‘friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it’ (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 11, Message version.)
My Mum and Dad often used a phrase, “Make yourself at home, where you should be.” It was their way of making people feel welcome. I vividly recall upsetting my dad shortly after moving into my first house. I had been at theirs for tea and spent the evening. I wanted to go home when it got late, and said that I was ready to go home. Dad got offended and told me I was at home. Ever after I never said that again in his presence. I always said, “I’d better get down the road,” instead. To my dad, home would always be the family home where he and mum lived. So it is for Christians. Home is where God is, and that’s where He intends us to be, not settling for the things that others do and the way they live. If we feel uncomfortable with the things that are being pushed as “right” in the world, then that’s good. We won’t be tempted to adopt them, but if we become comfortable, even in letting others live that way, the danger is we accept it. Let’s make sure our hearts are in a place where we want to be at home where our Heavenly Father is, for as my dad put it, “that’s where we should be” and we want others to want that too.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that more and more I understand what it means to be in the world but not of it. Help me to live in a manner that reflects that, even if it seems foolish to those I come into contact with. I ask that for some, they may see Christ and be attracted to Him, rather than feeling at home in the way this world lives. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.