Together in Christ: 'Don't Fret When People in Darkness Avoid You' — 1 Peter 2:11-12, 4:4

Monday, January 8, 2024

Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

. . .

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

— 1 Peter 2:11-12, 4:4 NLT

Key Thought

Those who do the works of darkness don't come to God's Light because they fear their evil deeds will be exposed or because they just don't want to give up what they are doing. [1] The wicked run from the Light and seek the fellowship of fellow evildoers. Some in our circle of relationships may reject us and even seek to harm us because they do not understand why we follow Jesus. We, however, are in fellowship with the Light, and evil cannot extinguish our source of Light! [2] Our role is to live graciously with godly character, compassion, faithfulness, and service. [3] When others reject and persecute us because we are children of the Light, then let's make sure we suffer for doing what is good, seeking opportunities to share our hope in Jesus with those who oppose us. [4] Just because we are children of the Light doesn't mean everyone will like us or that life will be easy. Nevertheless, we can rejoice because we know that our future as children of the Light is sure, [5] and our gracious and godly ways of handling criticism and rejection may lead doubters to seek Jesus!

[1] John 3:19-21.
[2] John 1:4-5.
[3] 1 Peter 3:8-12.
[4] 1 Peter 3:13-17.
[5] 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 9-11.

Today's Prayer

Father, I confess that it hurts when people reject and ridicule me because I seek to live to honor You. Unfairness and mistreatment infuriate me when I see them happening to others. When I follow Jesus, I admit that I can become discouraged when bad things happen to me. I need the Holy Spirit to overflow Jesus' love into my heart [A] so that I can follow His example when he suffered. I want to honor You, Father, and I long for people to see how I conduct myself under attack and realize that You offer them a better, more gracious way of life. I pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.

[A] Romans 5:5.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:9-12, 3:8-18, 4:1-4
  • Ephesians 2:1-10

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Peter 2:11-12, 4:4 NLT — Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. . . . Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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