How do you know if someone is a Christian before he himself mentions it? Well, very simple, it is their lifestyle that will make people call them Christian.
In the book of Acts 11:26, the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch because of the way they lived like their Master Jesus Christ. They didn’t need to say they were Christians before they were called as such. Again, in Acts 4:13 when the religious leaders took notice of the ministry of the apostles and saw semblance with that of their Master, they concluded that they had been with Jesus.
In a nation like Ghana, Christians make up majority of the religious faith. Over 50% of the population claim to be Christians. The question is: how come people do not see the difference when we are outside the four corners of the church? How come our lifestyle hardly communicate our faith and love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
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How can we live our faith outside the Church?
The Apostle Peter writing to the believers in various destinations as a result of persecution gave them godly insights on how to live their lives before the world.
In 1 Peter 2:11-12, the apostle wrote:
"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 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."
Three things stand out from this text. They are:
#1. Identity (2:11a)
Believers are ‘sojourners and pilgrims’. We are not of this world. We are on a journey to be with God forever. Our citizenship is in heaven and not on earth.
#2. Abstinence (2:11b)
As believers, we must constantly keep purging ourselves from fleshly lusts which war against our souls. Our old nature will always drag us to go for worldly way of living but we must submit to the leading of the Spirit.
#3. Conduct (2:12)
Our conduct as believers is that when we are being reviled, our good deeds must cause unbelievers to give praise to God. We must not pay evil for evil but rather reciprocate with good deeds.
The above traits in the believer’s life will help them to live their faith before the world.
What have you learnt from this write-up? Share your lesson here.
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