1 Peter 2:11

PASSAGE: 1 Peter 2:11-12 - Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

PAUSE: Christians are not of this world! We live here as exiles and strangers, which means we must say a constant “NO” to fleshly, worldly desires warring inside of us! This verse reminds us that we are loved children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (“Beloved”). That is our new and true identity! And the fact that this world is not our true home is a reminder that one day we will go to our true home, that our Savior will one day return to take us home and make us whole! In the meantime, we are to access the resources of God (His grace and strength) and win the battle against sin going on inside of us. (Note: we don’t do this perfectly, but we should see progressive victory as we trust and obey Christ. This process of living differently than the people of the world is a key aspect of our witness to them! And it results in God getting the glory!

PRAYER: Precious Father, I am so often tempted by the pull of this world and the selfish impulses and drives of my old sinful nature. But in Christ, I have the power to say “no” and to live for You. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.