The good life

“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
Let’s face it: if you’re a Christian, you’re in the minority. While certain countries may call themselves a ‘Christian nation’, the reality is that although those nations may have been founded on Christian principles, the majority of people live from day to day with no thought of God. Other things are taking His place in their lives – their family, their job, their bank balance, their house, their car, their possessions... We also live in a world where evil is spoken of as good, and good is spoken of as evil (Isa. 5:20) – where homosexuality is considered a ‘lifestyle choice’ and where abortion is ‘a woman’s right to choose’. To stand against these kinds of things, which the Bible clearly calls sin, will see you labelled as bigoted and intolerant. For some people, even your very presence, because they know you’re a Christian, can set them off – even if you don’t say anything.
But this is no reason to stop living for God. Sure, if someone specifically tells you, ‘I don’t want to hear any more from you about God, Jesus, or the Bible’ then the right attitude is to respect their wishes. But even without saying anything, our lives should be a witness to those around us.
Jesus told His disciples a similar thing: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). He’s not talking about preaching at people, but living a life pleasing to God, a life of faith, evidenced by good deeds.
People may not praise God and glorify Him the way we as believers do, now, but one day they will: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).