Jessica Albritton, Family Connections Minister LHBC
1 Peter 2:11-12
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
On April 10, 1912 one of the largest and most luxurious ocean liners ever to be built, The Titanic, departed Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by Irish shipbuilder William Pirrie, the ship was believed to be the world’s safest and fastest ship ever to be built, many even considered it to be unsinkable. That was until 5 days into their voyage when the ship hit an iceberg and ruptured five of its hull compartments. The compartments quickly began filling with water causing its bow to sink and stern be raised to an almost vertical position above the water. Around 2:20 a.m. on April 15 the Titanic broke in half, and its stern and bow sank to the ocean floor. Boats are made for the water but you don’t want water in your boat.
In 1 Peter chapter 2 the author pens the warning to keep away from worldly desires. The readers, or believers, are addressed as “temporary residents” and “foreigners.” The passage goes on to say that as followers of Christ we are to live properly among our unbelieving neighbors. Essentially its saying as believers we are to live in the world but not be of the world. Just like boats are made for the water, the church is made for the world. But you don’t want water in your boat, and you don’t want the world in the church.
As believers we are to go out into the world and shine our lights for Jesus. We are not to cower away and hide within our Christian community. Matthew 28 says it clearly, GO. Go and make disciples, go baptize, go teach and preach and share Jesus. We don’t need to stay hidden away safely within the church walls. As believers in Jesus we are to be out in our communities, out in our world, fulfilling the Great Commission. But let’s not be in the world in such a way that we forget to watch out for the icebergs of sin floating in the water. We are to live in such a way that when others see us, they see Jesus, they are to see what scripture describes as honorable behavior. Remember, this world is not our home, one day believers will all be with Jesus! But while we are here on this earth we have a calling, a purpose, to share Jesus and to live in such a way that we bring honor and glory to Him!
What about you? Is your boat docked, not in the water at all? Or has your boat been struck with sin and you’re sinking fast? Call out to God and ask Him for forgiveness of sin and receive His help as you go into the world to be a light for Jesus to your friends and neighbors!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, help me to live a life that is honorable and brings glory to you. Lord, open my eyes to see the icebergs of sin and help me to navigate around them. Lord, give me strength and courage to be in this world but to resist the temptation to be of it. God, I pray that my life would be a reflection of you and that it would help point others to you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.