1 Peter 2:11–12 (NKJV)
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12 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.
Are you a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ? Does it make a difference in your life? Does it make a difference in how you do business. Does it make a difference in how you treat people. Do you see yourself superior to others, more religious or pious. Or does it lead you to being more humble knowing God has brought you into His family. Salvation belongs to God!
Sin does not always fall in the category of the seven deadly sins. Sometimes it is the attitude of self-righteousness. We often see people’s worth according to worldly standards. Followers of Christ are to abstain from fleshly lusts. As Peter writes, these war against the soul. We must remember our time in this world is short lived. There is no comparison between time on earth and eternity.
As true followers of Christ we are aliens in this world. We must remember we are no longer controlled by Satan. Our lives belong to Christ. We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. Our goal is not the accumulation of things. The believer in Christ should conduct himself in such a way as to glorify God. One pastor used the word “winsome” in reference to the conduct of the Christian.
Our duty is to live our lives in total commitment to Jesus Christ. Salvation is the Good News of God. It is not the binding rules and regulations of man. Our lifestyle is found in the Bible, the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Good News of God. Jesus paid the price for our salvation by dying on the Cross for us. The power of our salvation is seen in the resurrection of Christ from the Grave.
We live in the love of God! We not only accept the salvation of Christ in our lives, but we also live it. We know in God’s salvation there is nothing we can do that will separate us from Him. Because of God’s salvation we can move through life without fear. We know God’s love is in us. We can love without being loved by others. God’s love lives in us. Just as Christ was rejected by most people, we know we will be rejected by people. But the love of Christ sustains us and empowers us to move forward. We learn to love as Christ loves.