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1 Peter 2:12
12 Having [echo] your [humon] conversation [anastrophe] honest [kalos] among [en] the Gentiles [ethnos]: that [hina], whereas [en] [hos] they speak against [katalaleo] you [humon] as [hos] evildoers [kakopoios], they may [doxazo] by [ek] your good [kalos] works [ergon], which they shall behold [epopteuo], glorify [doxazo] God [theos] in [en] the day [hemera] of visitation [episkope]. KJV-Interlinear
12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. NASB
Remember when you were small, and before going to your grandma’s house, or to church, or somewhere that was relative public, your mother would remind you to be on your best behavior?
Parents do not want their children to be snobbish, or rude, or otherwise behave badly when in public. Their behavior reflects on the reputation of the family.
And so it is here, with Christians. We are visitors on planet earth. We are guests. We are ambassadors from heaven, and therefore represent our home, which is heaven.
We are to be on our best behavior, and not obnoxious, not crusading, not out to change the world (for we cannot), not annoying and so forth. We are to be polite, fair, and honest in our dealings with people.
As representatives of heaven, we will be slandered, maligned, and hated. Some will be turned off by Christians, simply because of Christianity, some will be malicious, while others will manipulate devious attempts to squash all Christian principles and activities.
We have seen many attempts to remove prayer in public places. We have seen many attempts to label Christians as political cults. We have seen many attempts to defeat Christian principles, even divine establishment principles throughout society.
And, just as there were Jews and Gentiles in the Old Testament, now there are Christians and Gentiles. The Gentiles being the unbeliever category of humanity, or the world being the gentile, or anti-spiritual, or the foreign designation of life.
But, regardless of what the world thinks of you, or does to you, you are to be on your best behavior. That means that you watch your conduct, and do not adopt the behavior of the world.
Your conduct refers to your pattern of life, and is not determined by an occasional failure on your part. We are all human and there will be times when you will get caught up in the pressures of life and explode. But on an ongoing basis, your life is evaluated over the long haul, not the short outburst. Nonetheless, you try as best you can, to mind your P’s and Q’s.
We have studied before that lies require deceit, or even violence in order to get their way. But as for truth, it stands on its own with no need for support of any kind, from anyone or anything.
Therefore, if you simply mind your doctrine, and do not become hypocritical, obnoxious, or self righteous, etc., then no matter what offenses you receive, or become the target of, your lifestyle (Christianity, legitimate Christianity), will stand the test and assault of every attack.
You will not need to defend or fight (socially), for your rights or views, but rather they will stand the test of every attack.
And when the time of visitation comes, which simply means, when the final result is in, whether those attacking you recognize truth or not, truth, doctrine, Christianity will always win the argument.
Truth always stands head and shoulders above all else. The world will reject it, and even try to destroy it, but God is the power behind truth, and there is no power behind any other views in existence.
And, finally, you probably will never know the repercussions of the various tests you will encounter in your life, but remember that nothing happens by accident or chance. God will use your test in normal life experiences, to persuade others for doctrine. It is not your place to push doctrine or thump Bibles, as it were.
God provides the doctrine and the demonstrations of it, and God provides the hearers and seers of doctrine.
Without your knowledge, there will most likely be many folks who will come to God, Christ, doctrine, and their spiritual life simply because of their observation or perception of you and your life, or of something they witnessed in you.
Therefore, be on your best behavior, do not be intimidated by pressures, and do not be an obnoxious Bible thumper. You’ll have less aggravation in your life, and you will be used by God to guide others to doctrine, most of whom you will probably never know about.
