The Thing in Which They Slander You

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The Thing in Which They Slander You

No matter who we are  or where we are,  people are watching  and making judgments.     We know — we do it ourselves.     Walking down the street  is someone scowling  and muttering under his breath.     We think,  “Boy is he ever angry.     Glad I don’t have to  be around him!”     We see a prostitute hanging around  at a street corner.     We think,  “How sad to think  she doesn’t even care  about her own welfare.”     We see someone tenderly helping an invalid  do some shopping  and we think,  “How loving!     And,  he’s so joyful about it!”

People make the same kinds  of judgments about us  as they see us  in all sorts  of situations.     Sometimes,  we don’t make such a good impression.     Maybe sometimes  we make people curl their lip  and smirk,  “And that’s supposed to be a Christian?      Ha!”

Because people judge the merits  of Jesus Christ  based on our behavior,  it behooves us  to always be a good witness  in our every thought,  word,  and deed.     That is why  in  1 Peter 2:12 & 15,  we are advised,

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…

For such is the will  of God  that by doing right  you may silence the ignorance  of foolish men.

Most of the time,  the world says nothing  to a Christian  as they observe them  day after day.     We are the same.     Most of the time  Christians don’t say anything  about the bad behavior  of an unbeliever.     Everyone is just trying  to be polite — or politically correct.     But,  the thoughts are there!     And, boy, are they ever thinking!

Much of the world  is not Christian  because they’ve “seen”  what Christians are really like.     And,  it’s not always  a pretty picture.     How can they ever want  to become a Christian  after all that they’ve witnessed?

Many people are not Christian  simply because  of their pride and arrogance.     They’re not about  to confess their sins and repent.     Because such a thing  makes Christianity repulsive  to them,  they slander Christians — even when they are good.     But,  when a Christian’s behavior  is un-Christlike,  they have all the more reason  to slander Jesus.

We are reflecting Jesus.     Does the true Jesus really get reflected  in our behavior?     Is our behavior a reason  for others to reject Christ — so that we are at fault  for leading them  down the path  to hell?

It doesn’t matter  if an unbeliever mocks  our good behavior.     But,  when they sneer  at our bad behavior,  we will be held  in judgment  by our Lord — because we are guilty  of misleading them  about the truths  of God.

We need  to let God’s truths,  love,  grace,  and forgiveness  lead our behaviors.

As we do,  we will be allowing God  to strengthen us  in the true faith  and His grace will be able  to lead us  to our heavenly home.     Then,  as we walk  in a true fellowship  with our Lord and Savior,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  there is such a great peace  when we walk  hand-in-hand  with You.     Thank You  for keeping us safe  in this world.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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