1. Context: The appeal to Christians of this world
- We are citizens living as aliens in this world.
- Citizens of Heaven: We must abstain from evil desires of this world.
- Evil desires:
- James 1:15 - Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown brings forth death.
- Temporary Physical Satisfaction
Principle: By our conduct and good deeds, we show unbelievers the way to God.
2. Conduct: Why conduct?
- God wants Christians to be living testimonies of His love and mercy toward non-believers because through our lives, He calls others to Himself (Indirect Evangelism or Relationship Evangelism)
Principle 1: Our conduct and confession of faith should not serve as a stumbling block for non-believers.
- Living Godly Lives: praiseworthy, noble, morally good in the sight of men
- Christians are living glass houses.
Principle 2: We must walk our talk.
- Though accused of wrong doing, Christians should strive for such exemplary conduct that slanderous accusations of unbelievers remain godless (1 Peter 3:16 - Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.)
Principle 3: Christians will "silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15 - For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish people.)
3. Counsel: Application from Peter
- In principle, How can a Christian evangelize to non-believers?
1st, Admonition to Submission:
- We must carry our own cross and follow Jesus.
2nd, Action:
- We must exemplify what we learn from our faith. (James 2:18 - But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works.)
3rd, Attention:
- We must be "witnesses without works" to our loved ones.
- We are not the gospel, but we only point people to the gospel.
