Triumph Over Trials - 1 and 2 PeterSample

Walk Your Talk

Read: 1 Peter 2:11-12

SOAP: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.

Into the Text

Have you ever felt like a fish out of water in this world? If so, that’s perfectly normal. In fact, it’s what the Apostle Peter talks about in today’s verses. He reminds us that we are like foreigners and exiles in this world. This world is not our home...and that’s okay!

As God’s chosen children, our lives are meant to be noticeably different – separate and not like the world. But “separate” doesn’t mean “isolated.” It’s a delicate balance: being in the world to influence it and bear witness to Christ, but not becoming part of it. Think of it as being in contact with the world without contamination (Romans 12:1-2).

To genuinely influence non-Christians, our lives should reflect the love, truth, and grace of Jesus. We must “walk our talk” – live out the truth we share with others. When we are honest, we have to admit that we often fail in this. We have good intentions, yet we get tired, frustrated, angry. We don’t react in the way we want to. Let’s humbly ask God for forgiveness and remember Jesus’ words, “apart from me you can accomplish nothing” (John 15:5). As we keep striving for holiness, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to produce His perfect fruit in our lives - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This should be our heartfelt response to His incomparable love and the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

We might feel the sting of harsh words and criticism in a world eager to malign and discredit us. But, when we take refuge in Jesus, those criticisms lose their potency, and we don’t have to fight back. The world takes note when our good works affirm our good words. They work harmoniously, disarming the skeptics, and pointing them to the glory of God.

So, when you feel like a foreigner in a foreign land, remember that you are! This world is not your home. You are an ambassador for Christ, placed here to glorify God with your life. You bear His name! Press on, despite the opposition. You were born for such a time as this!

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to live as an ambassador for You in this world. Help me to walk in Your grace and truth. When I feel like a foreigner, remind me that this world is not my home. Strengthen me to live a life that honors You and draws others to You. Amen.