16. keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Although not a Christian, Ghandi learned the tactic of non-violence from the New Testament. Martin Luther King was inspired also from passages like this one, to stand strong but in respectful and gentle ways without violence. Peter is realizing the fight against evil is not something man can win. It is only by the power of the Lord that the Kingdom of God advances, and His tactic is to have His people show love, even to enemies. Sharing our faith and hope is to be done with gentleness and respect even to those who seek to do evil against us for they will be guilty of their actions based on our good responses. God will avenge and reward.
We must keep a good conscience and live according to the moral teachings of the Bible. It is possible for our consciences to be deadened to the Spirit of God when evil, lying, cheating, covering things up do not affect us anymore. Commitment to holy living and a yielded spirit are weapons God uses in us.
I see some preachers who are arrogant or belligerent people. Some Christians carry a superior attitude toward others that is resented. God uses the humble. Humility comes not by doing or saying nothing, but being aware all we have comes from God. Any illumination or insight in truth is by the enlightenment of God’s Spirit. It amazes me, that God would take His glorious truths and use clay pots like us to be vessels for His service. Such a witness has an attitude of winsomeness and love and reverence.
If a believer is faithfully serving Christ, he will be criticized. If everybody speaks well of him perhaps something is wrong. As a Christian, you can gain from criticism by revealing weaknesses that need addressing, and if the charge is untrue, it can help one grow and bring glory to Christ. This attitude of turning it over to Christ, showing love, and being kind, even amid persecution, is what toppled communism with all of its tyranny and abuses.
A Christian witness must be prepared, rational, gentle and maintain respect, all with a clear conscience. Those who speak maliciously against good behavior in Christ will be ashamed for their slander.
When Philip Yancey arrived back in the United States from his initial trip to Russia in 1992, most of the media reported symptoms of a fatally flawed economic system. Interestingly, Yancey said, that not one mentioned what every Soviet leader insisted that the crisis is not economic or political, but rather moral and spiritual. Alexander Solzhenitsyn said it ten years before "Men have forgotten God. Marx predicted “Religion will disappear and its quaint belief will be made obsolete by a New Socialist Man.”
He continues, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role - absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "
Application: The Lordship of Jesus Christ impacts your affection, your actions, your answers, and your attitudes. When Jesus is first in our lives, He is able to do work through us in ways we cannot imagine.
Prayer: Gracious God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, invade my life that I might radiate You to others in my words, actions and attitude.
