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Day 9: Called to Live for Christ

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a renowned German theologian and pastor, once famously proclaimed, “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God”. His Christian beliefs led him to oppose Hitler’s Nazi regime, and this cost him greatly. He was arrested for helping Jews escape to Switzerland and was subjected to brutal interrogations and harsh imprisonment. Despite that, Bonhoeffer remained resolute in his beliefs. His steadfast faith and courage in adversity epitomizes the transformative impact of living a life of conviction and moral fortitude.

In today’s passage, Peter similarly encourages believers to be eager to do good, even if it costs them greatly (v13-14). As humans, we naturally go to great lengths to avoid situations which are disadvantageous to us, yet Peter teaches us to do what seems to be counterintuitive. However, it is precisely such behavior which can lead non-believers to be curious about our faith (v15).

Let us pause to consider: does my daily life embody Christ-likeness to the extent that it causes others, especially non-believers to take notice? Living a distinctively different life as a believer would naturally impact others and evoke curiosity in them. In fact, the strength of our living testimonies can be highly questionable if a Christian attempted to evangelize to us, not knowing we are already believers.

The Bible also teaches us that it’s insufficient to suffer for doing good, but our attitude towards such suffering is equally important. A common tendency among us in Singapore is to complain incessantly, reflecting our dissatisfaction with our predicaments. Yet when we complain, we indirectly blame God for allowing difficult circumstances to befall us and it blinds us from the good God is doing in our lives.

How then should we face suffering for doing good as a believer? Ultimately, we look to the example of Christ, who Himself made the ultimate sacrifice for us, in willing submission (v1). Christ obeyed and submitted to the Father wholeheartedly, even as He struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter reminds us that we now no longer live for our “evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (v2). We can be comforted in moments of suffering while doing good, that Christ has walked ahead of us and His Spirit enables us to do His will.

Prayer points:

• It is easy to falter and tempting to give up when we suffer for doing good. Pray that you will fix your eyes on Christ in such difficult moments, remembering Christ’s example on the Cross.
• Am I living such a distinctively different life from non-believers, causing them to be curious about the faith? Pray that the Lord will enable you to make an impact wherever you are placed, so that others will ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Listen:

Jehovah - Elevation Worship