The World Still Needs God
Living Among Pagans

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-11

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:12
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.

The Apostle Peter is writing about the hardest part of our job description as Christ-followers. He is talking about the task of living among pagans. That is hard. We would rather separate our lives from all pagans and camp out at the church! Living among pagans means I must deal with crude language and dirty jokes. If I decide to take my God-given missions seriously, I must live among the pagans without living like the pagans!

The suggested Scripture Reading section reminds us that we are a “royal priesthood.” Did you know that God sees you as a priest? A priest was, in the Old Testament, one who represented God. A priest was a person who prayed for those to whom were not living as God wanted them. A priest’s job was to show people, both by words and lifestyle, what it means to walk with God! So, when God calls us “priests” He is expecting us to take on the job description of a priest.

Will you decide that today you will do a good job representing God? Would you be willing to start your day with some intercessory prayers for people you know who are far from God? Are you brave enough to be totally honest about some habits or behaviors you know don’t fit one who says they are of the people of God?

Before starting out your day, read again the Apostle Peter’s words: “Live such good lives among the pagans… that they will glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Father, I want to be influential to those who do not know You. Please help me and grant me strength. In Jesus’s Name, amen.