NOVEMBER 10, 2015
Gentle Lights
Let
your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify
your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
Read:
1
Peter 3:13-17
Wang Xiaoying
(pronounced Shao-ying) lives in a rural area of China’s Yunnan province. Due to
health problems, her husband couldn’t find work in the fields, causing hardship
for the family. Her mother-in-law attributed the trouble to Xiaoying’s faith in
God. So she mistreated Xiaoying and urged her to go back to the traditional
religion of her ancestors.
But because Xiaoying’s
husband had observed her transformed life, he said, “Mother, it isn’t enough
for Xiaoying alone to believe in God; we too should put our faith in God!”
Because of the noticeable change in his wife, he is now considering the good
news of Jesus.
People will watch our
walk before listening to our talk. The best witness combines good behavior with
appropriate words, reflecting the difference Christ makes in our lives.
This was the apostle
Peter’s instruction to the first-century believers, and to us, on how we can
introduce Jesus to a hostile world. He challenged his readers to be “eager to
do good” (1 Peter 3:13), to live obediently in Christ, to have a good conscience,
and to be prepared to explain to others why we have such hope (v. 15). If we do
this, we have no reason to fear or be ashamed when people mistreat or slander
us because of our beliefs.
Whatever our
situation, let’s shine for Jesus where we are. He can provide the grace we need
to reach even those who don’t agree with us.
Lord, we tend to react defensively when people shun us or
attack us for our faith. Give us Your courage to offer wise and gentle
responses when we are mistreated.
The more we live like Jesus, the more others will be drawn to
Him.
INSIGHT:
First Peter was written to those who were
being persecuted because of their faith in Christ. In 1 Peter 2:11-25, echoing
Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:10-16, Peter encourages the believers to live
holy lives and to do good works so that those who don’t believe might be won to
the Lord. In today’s passage he encourages followers of Christ to remain
faithful, to continue to “revere Christ as Lord,” and to be ready to share the
gospel when the opportunity presents itself (3:14-16). Paul makes similar calls
to godly living in his other letters (Rom. 13:12-14; Phil. 2:14-16; Col. 4:5-6;
1 Thess. 4:9-12; Titus 2:7-8). Sim Kay Tee
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015