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1 Peter 2:12
12 Having [echo] your [humon] conversation [anastrophe]
honest [kalos] among [en] the Gentiles [ethnos]: that
[hina], whereas [en][hos] they speak against [katalaleo] you [humon] as [hos] evildoers [kakopoios], they
may [doxazo] by [ek] your good [kalos] works [ergon], which they shall behold [epopteuo], glorify [doxazo] God [theos] in [en] the day [hemera] of visitation [episkope]. KJV-Interlinear
12 Keep your behavior excellent
among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as
evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them,
glorify God in the day of visitation. NASB
Remember when you were
small, and before going to your grandma s house, or to church, or somewhere
that was relative public, your mother would remind you to be on your best
behavior?
Parents do not want
their children to be snobbish, or rude, or otherwise behave badly when in
public. Their behavior reflects on the reputation of the family.
And so it is here, with
Christians.We are visitors on planet
earth.We are guests.We are ambassadors from heaven, and therefore
represent our home, which is heaven.
We are to be on our
best behavior, and not obnoxious, not crusading, not out to change the world
(for we cannot), not annoying and so forth.We are to be polite, fair, and honest in our dealings with people.
As representatives of
heaven, we will be slandered, maligned, and hated.Some will be turned off by Christians, simply
because of Christianity, some will be malicious, while others will manipulate
devious attempts to squash all Christian principles and activities.
We have seen many
attempts to remove prayer in public places.We have seen many attempts to label Christians as political cults.We have seen many attempts to defeat Christian
principles, even divine establishment principles throughout society.
And, just as there were
Jews and Gentiles in the Old Testament, now there are Christians and
Gentiles.The Gentiles being the
unbeliever category of humanity, or the world being the gentile, or
anti-spiritual, or the foreign designation of life.
But, regardless of what
the world thinks of you, or does to you, you are to be on your best
behavior.That means that you watch your
conduct, and do not adopt the behavior of the world.
Your conduct refers to
your pattern of life, and is not determined by an occasional failure on your
part.We are all human and there will be
times when youwill get caught up in the
pressures of life and explode.But on an
ongoing basis, your life is evaluated over the long haul, not the short
outburst.Nonetheless, you try as best
you can, to mind your P s and Q s.
We have studied before
that lies require deceit, or even violence in order to get their way.But as for truth, it stands on its own with
no need for support of any kind, from anyone or anything.
Therefore, if you
simply mind your doctrine, and do not become hypocritical, obnoxious, or self
righteous, etc., then no matter what offenses you receive, or become the target
of, your lifestyle (Christianity, legitimate Christianity), will stand the test
and assault of every attack.
You will not need to defend
or fight (socially), for your rights or views, but rather they will stand the
test of every attack.
And when the time of
visitation comes, which simply means, when the final result is in, whether
those attacking you recognize truth or not, truth, doctrine, Christianity will always
win the argument.
Truth always stands
head and shoulders above all else.The
world will reject it, and even try to destroy it, but God is the power behind
truth, and there is no power behind any other views in existence.
And, finally, you
probably will never know the repercussions of the various tests you will encounter
in your life, but remember that nothing happens by accident or chance.God will use your test in normal life
experiences, to persuade others for doctrine.It is not your place to push doctrine or thump Bibles, as it were.
God provides the
doctrine and the demonstrations of it, and God provides the hearers and seers
of doctrine.
Without your knowledge,
there will most likely be many folks who will come to God, Christ, doctrine, and
their spiritual life simply because of their observation or perception of you
and your life, or of something they witnessed in you.
Therefore, be on your
best behavior, do not be intimidated by pressures, and do not be an obnoxious Bible
thumper.You ll have less aggravation in
your life, and you will be used by God to guide others to doctrine, most of
whom you will probably never know about.
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End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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