For several years I lived with a houseful of pagans. They remorselessly raided the refrigerator, bathed irregularly and overran the furniture. But then my teenagers grew up and moved away, and now I miss them. I grew comfortable living among the pagans.

Peter encouraged followers of Jesus who lived among a pagan population to keep the faith. He wrote, 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.

These church members embraced widows, took in orphans, and shared their food with the needy. As they lived their faith, neighbors noticed. It grew harder to accuse the Christians of misbehavior as they served the community.

The pagans didn’t all rush to Jesus. Most still considered these small communities of believers dangerous. But over years and years, the gospel soaked into society. Pagans took notice and many converted. Good lives pointed to a good God.

You and I live among a pagan culture, as people turn away from the church and orthodox Christianity. Some wounds are self-afflicted, like clergy abusing parishioners sexually and financially. But biblical teachings increasingly appear out-of-date and even dangerous, especially in the areas of sexuality and gender. A pagan wishes to do whatever he wants, while the Scriptures place walls around behaviors. Such conflicting beliefs don’t mesh.

Like this example from the early church, I need to attempt to live a good life among the pagans. Keep my commitment to God’s Word and love my neighbors as I love myself. Kill people with kindness and sincerity. As I live my life as an instrument of the Lord, perhaps the pagans will take notice again.

1 Peter 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Claudia Raya