A BETTER WORLD
We all know that since Adam and Eve listened to the lies of our enemy Satan in the Garden of Eden in (Gen 3:1-7) and ate the forbidden fruit from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" they introduced the sin of disobedience to God's command into our world. And since that time it has became known as the "Fallen World". Is there any way we can improve this fallen world as followers of Jesus? I just read a devotional article in Our Daily Bread (ODB) today March 29, 2014 by Joe Stowell, by this title. He used a scripture portion from (1 Peter 2:7-12) to base his article on, and I will use this same scripture passage for this article. I just read this passage from my NLT version, and Peter is talking about Jesus as the "Cornerstone" that some people stumble over because "they do not obey God's Word".
This is definitely an encouraging passage, and if we understand Peter's remarks and put them into practice, it just might make our world a better place. Let us look at a few statements he makes, in verses 7and 8 he gives a warning to those who "do not obey God's word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them". Then he quickly assures them "but you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, and God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light". This last statement matches the words of Paul as recorded in (Col 1:13-14) all because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Peter goes on in verse 10 "Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy".
Just by carefully obeying Peter's words in verses 9 and 10, I believe that we could certainly improve the condition of our fallen world as committed followers of Jesus. But in order to accomplish that we would need to heed his advice given in verse 11 and 12. Remember we are "temporary residents and foreigners" in this world, as our home is in heaven with Jesus. So we need to "Keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors". Then they will see your "honorable behavior, and will give honor to God when He judges the world". This type of behavior before our worldly neighbors will only be possible as we depend completely on our staying "full of the Holy Spirit", there is no other way (Eph 5:18-20)!!
Sincerely submitted.
Dave Jamer 29/03/14
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