FRIDAY November 10th
HONESTY – As we come to the conclusion of our devotions from 1 Peter, I think that the need for honesty is inferred throughout the letter. Honesty both toward God and toward one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am using verses from another New Testament letter, Galatians 6:7-10 ‘Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for a whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.’
There is a well-known saying ‘What you see is what you get’ therefore we need to ensure that what others see is a true and genuine reflection of what it really means to be a follower of Jesus. Imagine claiming to be a believer and living in a way that discredits the gospel! That I think is one of the reasons that Peter calls us to a life of holiness, so that as we become more Christ like the better examples we will be as those who represent Jesus in this world.
Therefore, we cannot live a sham life, we must live in honesty and integrity, remembering that we can try to cover up in front of each other, but never before God because he sees us exactly as we are.
I trust that the devotions from this epistle have been an encouragement to all who have read them.
For a number of weeks knowing we were coming to an end of 1 Peter I have been considering where to go to next! Last week I came to a decision, and we will spend however many devotions it will take learning something from the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. The audio devotions will return on Monday.