Our Daily Behavior In The World P2 Series

How should we behave in this world…Part 2

Show Christ

…by living above reproach …

…by living at peace …

…by giving no place for revenge …

Again, we as “true” believers have a call to live a balanced life…to be “in the world, but not of the world”.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16

When the wife of missionary Adoniram Judson told him that a newspaper article likened him to some of the apostles, Judson replied, "I do not want to be like a Paul...or any mere man. I want to be like Christ...I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints...Oh, to be more like Christ!" Source Unknown.

I pray this is your heartfelt desire today and every day.

Last week we looked at our Showing Christ…

by blessing those who persecute us…

in our interactions…

in harmony…

Show Christ by living above reproach (v.17).

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17

We should live above reproach in the sight of all.

We are not to react; by returning evil for evil.

We do not react because…

Reaction would most likely end the friendship and all hope of reaching the person for Jesus Christ.

Reaction is not the way of God or of Christ.

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also....That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:39, 45).

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men” (1 Thes. 5:15).

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18).

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee” (Proverbs 20:22).

“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work” (Proverbs 24:29).

We are called to show good behavior in the sight of all.

We need think before we act.

We need do what is right and expected of a “Child of Christ”.

Why do this you might ask? Scripture answers…

“…So that our honest and noble response is seen by men.”

We are to love by turning the other cheek in “the sight of all.” In doing so God’s love will be seen.

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:21).

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Show Christ by living at peace (v.18)

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18

We are to live at peace as much as possible.

However, as is the case right now, peace is not always possible.

If it is possible, the believer is to live at peace with all.

We should never be the cause of conflict. We should try everything possible to bring about peace and to keep peace.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:20

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. [41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:39-41