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1 Peter 2: 11, 12
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. One of the most common reasons people hesitate is a fear of being asked a question they can’t answer. God knew it would be difficult for recovering sinners to share their salvation with the lost so he inspired Peter to give us a way to witness without talking. He has been telling us how to interact with each other as believers. Now Peter is going to tell us how we should interact with unbelievers. If we can’t and don’t behave properly with one another as redeemed children of God, we cannot possibly have a proper heart for witnessing to unbelievers. Peter first tells us to:
- PROTECT YOUR SOUL! In our current culture and society of easy believe is him where Christianity has been reduced to God’s welfare program where all you have to do is tell God what you want, and he gets it for you so you can be happy. The biblical truth is that even though all Christians are eternally secure in their salvation, no Christian anywhere is exempt from demonic attack. Peter is just one writer of Scripture that repeatedly warns us to be on guard against such panic attack read 1 Peter 5:8. Does that sound appealing to you? Of course not, we are to protect our souls at all times from Satanic attack in this first Peter tells Christians to be vigilant, alert, and self-controlled, why? So we don’t get eaten alive! In this verse he’s telling us how to be vigilant. Peter also says I urge you, which means strongly recommend, or even warning. In the Old Testament it would be “you shall not.” It implies an absolute action in abstaining or refraining one’s self from doing something. Only a truly redeemed heart that belongs totally to the Lord can do that all any Christian has to do is drop their guard a little, and the devil is right there to tear them up. You must work hard to protect your soul.
- PROCLAIM YOUR SALVATION! If you are intimidated by the thought of talking to someone about salvation or the Bible this verse ought to thrill your heart in essence Peter is saying let the unsaved do all the talking, you just live your life as God directs and he will handle the rest. FYI, if you don’t protect your soul, you can’t proclaim your salvation. Peter is going to show us how our life as a Christian is not just God working, not just us working, but God working through us. Notice the requirement keep your conduct honorable we would say it this way “at all times in all situations keep on keeping your conduct honorable.” However, when we do that we are promised there will be repercussions. Satan relentlessly attacks us for two reasons: first, to wear us out, and to wear us down so we give up and quit. Second, to make us think God is mad at us because we are wrong in some way. The most important truths to learn from this is living and honorable Christian life guarantees severe spiritual persecution and constant satanic attack. The blessing or result to all this is our good deeds are seen and God is glorified. So hang in there; there is both rhyme and reason to the best way to witness to the lost.
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
