Out of DarknessSample

This Will Transform Your Relationships…

A close friend of mine has dual citizenship—he was born in another country, but he lives here in the United States. One day he told me about it, and I began to do some research. I came to realize that if you have dual citizenship, you must live at a higher level of accountability because you’re accountable to both nations.

In much the same way, as believers we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven—yet we are still subject to the laws here on earth. The Apostle Peter explains this in 1 Peter 2:11 by writing, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul…" You see, according to Peter we are sojourners here on earth—we’ve been called out of darkness and given a new identity, but we still have to live in a dark culture for now. Then in Verse 12, Peter calls us to a higher standard of living, "…Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles…"

Friend, Scripture is clear—you’re called to be different… so different that when people see your good works, they glorify God! As we live honorably before a secular culture and toward others, it honors God. Honor shapes how you view people, authority, God, others, and life in general—and it’s one of our greatest forms of witnessing.

As you engage with God’s word:

● What is God saying to you?

● What does it mean to you?

● What action step do you need to take?

After you reflect on these questions, bring everything to God in prayer.