Reading: Christians come to the light and it’s never the same. But when they come to the light, war against sin begins. Romans 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” It is so important to strain forward in holiness everyday by waging war on our sin as it is illuminated, putting it to death!

Peter gives the church a challenge: follow God’s will for your life so closely, so well and righteously, that even the people who hate God or don’t acknowledge the Creator will end up glorifying God. Jesus says, recorded in Luke 6:35, “love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” 

In the same way, every believer at one time, before they came to Jesus, opposed Christ and his kingdom in some way. Some have said “religion is boring,” or “God isn’t real,” or “you’re wasting your time going to church”. Maybe you’ve just had some major doubts about Jesus. At one time, the Christian was once pagan. But for the Christian, there was a day that God visited through someone, and they received mercy. Thanks to some other Christian’s faith and obedience, that new Christian now glorifies God. 

We also have the opportunity to do good to the people that “accuse you of doing wrong,” the slanderers, the people that hate Christians, and even the people that go so far as to persecute Christians, so they will eventually see the light in us and glorify God when he visits them. That’s why it’s important to make war on sin every day and present a good life to everyone, because you never know who needs it.

Reflection: When was the last time someone did something bad to you or slandered you? How did you respond?

Prayer Prompt: God, give me the strength to wage war against my sin. Despite what others say, do, or wish for me, help me to love them. And I want to ask you to show them who you truly are.