Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12
Most believers try to be on their best behavior on Sunday mornings when exposed to their larger congregations. Sunday Morning is when the saintliness of most believers takes over. This is when people try to be mindful of their attitude, words, and the way they are perceived by others. Sunday morning is indeed a holy day for most believers.
But what about the other six days of the week? Is the Christ in us evident to all on a daily basis? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our work life, business transactions, and the way we entertain ourselves? Is our identity as disciples of Jesus evident for all to see no matter where we are?
Living the Christian life is indeed, a daily challenge. The Holy Spirit consistently convicts me to be Christ-centered when I go to the grocery store, to my dry cleaner, or while interacting with my wife or children. I am consistently challenged by the Holy Spirit to live such good life in the world as in the church so I will not bring shame to the name of Jesus. This means I can’t watch any type of movie or listen to any type of song. Some places are off-limits to me, and I just cannot entertain some relationships.
God wants our holiness to be evident for all to see on a daily basis. Believers are called to live with spiritual integrity. Our life may be the only Bible a nonbeliever will ever see. Therefore, we have to be fervent in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love, compassion, patience, forgiveness, and grace.
I don’t want to give the impression this is easy. On the contrary, it is very difficult to meet God’s standards on a daily basis. Perhaps, this is why I’m so careful where I go, what I do, and how I live my life. I know that people are watching. The enemy only needs one opportunity to discredit my many years of ministry. One wrong decision can cause irreparable damage to my reputation and cause unnecessary pain to my family and those who trust my leadership.
Prayer has been the most important tool that has helped me to meet the daily challenge of Christian discipleship. Indeed, I am intentional to live a prayer-saturated life so I can pass my daily spiritual tests. Prayer helps me to know when to shut up and when to speak. When I am angry or disappointed, I have to pray so that I do not respond with ungodly anger. In times of grief or hardships, I pray even more.
Many people do not pay attention to how they make others feel or how they are perceived. Believers do not have that luxury. We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ and called to make disciples. We make disciples by our actions as well as by our proclamation of the gospel.
We live in a broken world with sinful people. Yet we cannot do what the world does. We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
So, if you find it to be more and more difficult to live a holy life in this world, you are in good company. If the Holy Spirit is constantly convicting you about your daily decisions and behavior, you are on the right path. Remember what Paul said in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Questions for Personal Reflection
How are you managing the daily challenges of Christian living?
Why do you think the standard for Christian living is different?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I thank you for saving me and giving me the Holy Spirit to help me meet the daily challenges of life as a disciple of Christ. Please give me spiritual discipline and a desire for holiness so I can bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus continuously.
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