Set Apart: Every Nation Prayer & FastingSample

The Conduct of Holiness

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:10–12

Peter instructs his readers that as they abstain from temporal passions, they must also strive to do good. There are things not to do and also things they should do. He tells them to live in a way that is respectable, even by nonbelievers, and, as they see God’s people doing good deeds, they might come to worship God.

But what does this kind of gospel-centered good conduct look like? Even people who don’t follow Christ can do things that are considered “good.” What sets apart the conduct of a believer from that of a nonbeliever is the holy example of Christ. We must look to Jesus as the model for how to live out holiness through our conduct. His example and teachings are applicable in any culture at any point in time. Why? Because God’s character is immutable—he never changes.

Moreover, Christ shows us that holy conduct is more than just random acts of kindness. It refers to a lifestyle that is consistent in both public and private spaces. Jesus teaches his disciples how to treat others, manage money, live compassionately, respect authority, and submit to God. He demonstrates how to see the world through holy eyes and respond in a way that reflects God’s unchanging, holy character.

As we strive to live out holy conduct, we must remember the cross. The gift of salvation and knowledge of God’s holiness lead us to do good deeds. Those deeds could never bring about atonement for our sins. Rather, our works flow out of a revelation of God’s goodness and holiness.

We have an opportunity to live out a missional mindset through our actions, behavior, attitude, speech, and thoughts. Our conduct should stand out against the background of the world because Christ’s holiness has set us free and set us apart.

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Reflection

• How does your lifestyle consistently honor God in both public and private spaces?
• How has your conduct been a reflection of God’s holiness to others around you?

Faith Step

Take time to meditate on the gospel and ask God how you can live out holy conduct in your community. Write down what God speaks to you, and talk with a prayer partner about actionable next steps you will take.

Pray

Jesus, thank you for being the perfect example of holy conduct. Help me to know how to be righteous and holy in my actions, speech, and thoughts. Empower me to do good deeds from a genuine heart.

God, help me to live so that others may see my good works and give you glory. Your gospel has changed me from the inside out; help me to be more like Christ so that others may know you.

Strengthen me with your joy as I reflect your goodness to the earth. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.