Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
How do we win the hearts of those hostile to us and our faith? How do we influence them to follow Jesus? While we need skilled defenders and expositors of biblical truth among believers today, most of us will win others to Jesus by how we live daily and how we treat them personally. No matter how much criticism and harsh treatment we may receive, our deeds must remain Christ-like. To do less is to rob others of a chance to see the living Christ in action through us.
My Prayer…
Holy and righteous Father, please forgive me for not being more aware of my influence on others, especially those around me who do not know Christ. Please fill me with your Spirit and strengthen me so I will stand up under the criticism and scrutiny that sometimes comes my way. And, Father, I want to do this with gentleness and respect toward those who are unfair to me (1 Peter 3:13-16). Please use my life to impact others as they see what I believe and why I have hope through the way I live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.