Shining as Lights

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.--1 Peter 2:11-12


Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,

Peter is addressing here his brethren, his beloved, and he is beseeching them to remember that as believers they are not residents of this world.  They are instead, strangers and pilgrims   Our real home, their real home and our true citizenship, is in heaven with our God.  Revelation 21:3 reminds us of this:

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."


We are not citizens of the world and should not look or act as if we are of the world. Our words and deeds should reflect our citizenship.  Our true loyalty should be to our King in heaven. Our lives should be patterned after our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. We are to abstain...literally hold ourselves back from or away from  fleshly lusts which war against our spirit.  (See Romans 7:23, James 4:1, Gal 5:19-21)


The people of this world, girls, watch us carefully.  They look for excuses to reject God, His Word, and the gospel.  We are foreigners on this earth, called to a righteous life in a world that is oftentimes against us. In order to have an impact for Him on those around us, we must follow the example of our Lord Jesus, who lived a perfect life in the midst of this hostile world.  Peter tells us our conduct should be honorable (lovely, excellent, noble, and gracious) among the Gentiles or unbelievers.

Our testimony...good or bad will influence others one way or the other.  I so want to influence those whom I love and those whom the Lord has placed in my path for Him.  I want them to remember my testimony for good when God's grace visits their heart one day.  I want them to accept His offer of salvation and give them no reason not to.  Our Lord desires that none should perish but that all should come to Him and be saved.  His desire should be my desire and I should live my life before men in a way that glorifies who He is and what He has done.

Let Him do that work in us so that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world.  

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.--Matthew 5:15-16

Love
Mom