September 3, 2022

I Peter 2: 15 (NIV)

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Does a holy life put us into situations where others will appreciate and praise us, or into situations where we will be misunderstood and falsely accused?*

Good works won’t earn us a place in heaven but there are lots of reasons for doing them. To name a few: 

• So that men will praise God (II Corinthians 9: 13) 
• So that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4: 12) 
• Because the Lord will reward (Ephesians 6: 8) 
• To live a life worthy of the Lord and to please him (Colossians 1: 10) 
• Because God will not forget (Hebrews 6: 10)

In today's verse, Peter isn’t really addressing the kind of works by which we mistakenly try to earn salvation, although they often consist of the same activities. He is telling us how to defend ourselves against the accusations of those who are ignorant of the gospel – a demonstration of the adage, “Actions speak louder than words.” As Christians, our daily lives should boldly proclaim who we belong to. 

Obedience to Christ is crucial in our actions and our attitudes. But what does “doing good” look like to an outsider? What should we do to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men? Charitable works; abiding by the law; maintaining integrity in business; authenticity in our personal lives; seeking excellence in all our pursuits – these are characteristics that make us look like Christ. 

Persecution of Christians is common in many countries and could easily become part of American society in our lifetime. Adopting these behaviors to silence the ignorant is not a guarantee of protection against persecution but practicing them makes us stronger and more confident. Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can “rejoice and be glad” in the midst of persecution because “great is [our] reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 12)

We’re in the midst of climate change – one that’s getting colder and colder toward religion.*