Appropriate Conduct For Christians

1. To be WORTHY in living

*verses 13-14, (be FAITHFUL for you will still remain FRUITFUL)

"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness` sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

2. To WORSHIP Christ as Lord

*verse 15, (always ENTHRONE Jesus in your heart and EXPRESS hope)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

3. To WITHSTAND for your faith

a. Be ready to DEFEND it

*verses 16, (fight the good FIGHT of your FAITH)

"Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."

b. Be ready to be DEMEANED for it

*verse 17, (doing good is WORTHY than WRONGDOINGS)

"For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

4. To WORK OUT reconciliation

*verse 18, (to offer FRIENDSHIP even with your FOE)

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."

Conclusion: Because our Christian life is patterned after what the Lord Jesus lived, we are meant to shine as He shines. The Lord makes us light of the world to share our good testimonies (Matthew 5:16). And He makes us like a shining stars in the universe to save the sinnners as we hold out the word of life to them (Philippians 2:15-16).