Doing Good

1 Pet. 2:15

For this is the will of God that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

What does 'doing good' mean? Earlier in chapter 2 it defines who believers are: chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, people for His own possession. Quite a legacy! It is not a legacy just to amass spiritual riches, but one to do His bidding. Specifically, believers are to proclaim the excellencies of Him who saved us out of darkness and into His light. This is our first 'good'. We are to proclaim the message of Jesus and His gospel.

In v. 11 we are urged not to live like this is our home, but instead as exiles and sojourners, people who are waiting for a heavenly citizenship. [a closer look at our lives, commitments,  possessions, dreams, etc. might appear the opposite ] keeping this in mind, we are to abstain from the passions of the flesh, to live honorably in all that we do. Why is this such an issue? When we are saved, we our born again in our spirit and flesh. Even though we are no longer slaves to the flesh, we still battle with the flesh. Thus the warning! Abstain from the passions of the flesh. This is necessary if we are to do good.

Our lives  as well as our passions should show the light of the gospel. If we are rooted on this earth and our fleshly passions control our thoughts, then there is no way we are doing good. A frequent statement often made by unsaved people is that Christians are hypocritical. If we are struggling for a place in this world with our passions in control, then we are hypocrites. We are living lives that say one thing but do another. Is this doing good? We are not silencing the ignorance of foolish people but adding fuel to the fire.  What has happened to the message that we are to proclaim? What has happened to out doing good? Thank God for confession and repentance. 

Father,

I confess letting my emotions take control of my thoughts. I pray that you will strengthen me in mind, body, and spirit. Focus my eyes and heart to proclaim Your message and to do Your good.

In Jesus name,

Amen