Called To Live Properly

BY REV GOH YONG KUANG

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.

 PETER 2:12, NLT

As Christians, we are constantly under the scrutiny of the world – probably more than the people of other faiths. Somehow, the world expects us to be living on a higher moral plane, yet at the same time despises us for it (that’s the irony). 

The secular media has the tendency to sensationalize matters when reporting on church scandal and downfall of church leaders and members. That is why we must maintain a proper behaviour and conduct among the unbelievers.

As God’s children, we should conduct ourselves properly because God’s name is at stake. Most of us are familiar with Psalm 23. In verse 3, the psalmist says, “He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake.” God wants us to walk righteously because it brings glory to His name. Each time we behave badly, we bring disgrace to God’s name!

Non-believers may be watching us and are looking for excuses to speak against us and to reject the gospel. When we try to live holy and godly lives, we must also be prepared for trouble.

In the 1st century, Christians were accused of many things - for example:

-     They were accused of cannibalism because they talked about eating the flesh and drinking the blood of someone during communion.

-     They were accused of immorality and incest - because brothers and sisters in church practised the custom of exchanging holy kisses and marrying one another.

-     They were accused of being unpatriotic because they refused to take part in pagan worship, which involved “emperor worship.”   

-      They were accused of being arrogant because they would not subscribe to the philosophy of the day.

Today, we can be accused of…

-     Being a joy-killer because we don't hang out at night joints or participate in the revelry and drunken party. We stay away from promiscuous living and from all forms of immorality. Whenever we disapprove of such practices, we are accused of being narrow and judgmental.

-     Being exclusive because we avoid places of temptation and dissociate ourselves from sinful company.

A good way to meet the criticism and accusation of non-believers is by our good behavior and good deeds, such as being kind to those who criticize us and being helpful to those who find fault with us (Jesus tells us in Lk.6:27 to “do good” to those who hate us).  

Ephesians 2:10 sums up who we are in Christ: 

"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

          which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Our godly conduct and good works can help lead the lost to Christ – and they will praise God on the day He visits and saves them!