Bible Passage:1 Peter 2:12
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.
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And lead an honest life, that those who have slandered you, as evil-doers, may see your good works and praise God. Mark now what an excellent order St. Peter has observed. He has already taught us what we should do in order to subdue the flesh with all its lusts. Now he teaches us again why this should be. Why should I subdue my flesh? That I may be saved? No, but that I may lead an honest life before the world. For this honest life does not justify us, but we must first be justified and believe before we attempt to lead an honest (pious) life. But as to outward conduct, this I am not to direct to my own profit, but in order that the unbelieving may thereby be reformed and attracted, that they through us may come to Christ; which is a true mark of love, though they slander and cast aspersions upon us, and hold us as the worst wretches. St. Peter says: You will have to endure men casting aspersions upon you as evil-doers, and for this reason you are to lead life in such a way that you shall do no man injury, and in this manner you shall bring about their reformation. That . . . they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. That is, you must endure that men reproach you till all shall be set forth and revealed, so that it shall be seen how unjust they have been toward you, and that they must glorify God on your account.
And let me with all men,
As far as in me lieth,
In peace and friendship live;
And if Thy gift supplieth
Me wealth and honor fair,
Then this refuse me not,
That naught be mingled there
Of goods unjustly got.
--
Cuda.
aka Pastor Robin Fish
It isn't whether we win or lose, it is "Do we stand faithfully?"
Information Copyright © 2007-2009 Robin Fish. All rights reserved.
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