READ: Matt. 5:13-16
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, …that … they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. – 1 Pet. 2:11,12
As believers, we live in a world where we face temptations that appeal to our desires. This includes fleshly desires that go against God’s Word. The old nature in us has such desires, which – as Peter writes – wage war against our soul and against our life. This means that they aim for our destruction. If we let those desires have free rein, it means our downfall.
These are not innocent matters. Paul cried out: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Rom. 7:24. But He knew – thanks be to God – also of His Redeemer: Jesus Christ.
What the Lord asks of us through Peter is to not give in to those desires of the flesh, because you are in the world but not of the world. You are a stranger and sojourner: you do not belong to this world, but you have a task here. Christ wants to keep you in this world (John 17:14-17). Therefore, you cannot give in to worldly desires. You have a different homeland where Christ is.
At the same time, we are called to live in holiness, also towards people who are of the world. Even if they speak evil of you now, because you belong to Christ, there will come a time when they will realize that your good works and your kind, loving, and helpful behavior come from God. Then they will honour God because of it when they come to repentance, or when God calls them to account at His judgment.
Is it difficult for you to do good to worldly people?
Singing: Ps. 112:4