1 Peter 2:11-17 The Evil Things Our Bodies Want To Do

"Dear friends," Peter writes, "You are like foreigners and strangers in this world.  I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul."

Peter is writing to other Christians, and telling us that the citizens of this world are now different than us because we have citizenship in the spiritual realm.  But the very real physical connection our bodies have with this world is a problem for us.  Despite the fact that we have become children of God through Christ, those same physical bodies still are subject to desires from this physical world that are not of God, that are evil in God's eyes; and they will not stop during this physical lifetime.

We have a good reason to "avoid" those evil things as Peter puts it -- "People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong."  They may themselves be doing the very same things, but they will claim that those things are not wrong for them because they are not Christians.  Amazingly, he tells us, "Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again."  If they aren't saved by that time, imagine what it will mean that unbelievers give God glory for the witness we had in their lives!

Father, I agree with everything here.  It would be wonderful if our bodies didn't keep having those physical desires, but until I'm with You, please give me the strength not to fall.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford