For the Sake of the Lost (1 Peter 2:11–12)

Who are you is not such an easy question anymore. Identity is something that many people today struggle with, but why? Is it because of the break down of the family? Is it because of what society is pushing on us? Is it because of what are children and young people are being influence by? I believe that all of that plays a role in today's struggle of “Who am I”, but the biggest reason is Satan! “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) Basically from the moment that came from our mother’s whom the devil has been telling us lies! And he does this to plant seeds of doubt. He wants us to question our self worth, what we believe, who we are, and more. All Satan wants to do is ruin us and destroy us! “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” As Christians, we must constantly remind ourselves who we are.

I. We are God’s dearly beloved children.

A. In ourselves, there is nothing that God can love; but He loves us because of Jesus Christ.

Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, as it says in (Eph. 1:6) we are “accepted in the Beloved”. Our “love relationship” to Jesus Christ ought to be motivation enough for us to live godly lives in this godless world. There is something deeper than obedience because of duty, and that is obedience because of devotion.

Not only are we God’s beloved children, but we are also “strangers [sojourners] and pilgrims” in this world. We are “resident aliens” who have our citizenship in another country—heaven.

B. It’s important that we take very seriously our identity in Christ.

We should demonstrate spiritual growth through our daily lives. Aliens and strangers in the world repeats the opening address of this letter. It reminds us that as temporary residents in this world we should show a certain detachment from the world.

A believer should abstain from certain behaviors. The word suggests a holding back, a walking away from, or an avoidance of what are described as sinful desires, which war against your soul. “Sinful desires” is best understood as “strong desires motivated by selfishness.

II. We are soldiers involved in a spiritual battle.

A. There are sinful desires that war against us and want to defeat us.

Some desires are not wrong or sinful in themselves. These become wrong when the believer attempts to satisfy those desires in ways that are contrary to God’s Word. Other desires are wrong “out of the gate” and are to be avoided.

Our real battle is not with people around us, but with passions within us. If we yield to these sinful appetites, then we will start living like the unsaved around us, and will become ineffective witnesses. The word translated “war” carries the idea of “a military campaign.” We do not win one battle, and the war is over! It is a constant warfare, and we must be on our guard.

B. Why should Christians abstain from such things?

Because these actions mount a full military campaign against our spiritual vitality and growth. Consistently satisfying our desires in a manner contrary to the Word of God or consistently giving in to sinful desires will ultimately tear down the believer.

To entertain such desires may appear attractive and harmless, but they are enemies which inflict harm on the Christian’s soul, making us spiritually weak and ineffective.

III. We are witnesses to the lost around us.

A. Unsaved people are watching us, speaking against us, and looking for excuses to reject the Gospel.

If we are going to witness to the lost people around us, we must live “honest” lives. This word implies much more than telling the truth and doing what is right. It carries with it the idea that which is admirable and honorable. To use a cliche, we must be “beautiful people” in the best sense of the word.

We do not witness only with our lips; we must back up our “talk” with our “walk.” There should be nothing in our conduct that will give the unsaved ammunition to attack Christ and the Gospel. Our good works must back up our good words. Jesus said this in Matthew 5:16, and the entire Bible echoes this truth.

B. A Christians can make a powerful impact on the lost when they combine a godly life with a loving witness.

Peter encouraged his readers to bear witness to the lost, by word and deed, so that one day God might visit them and save them. “The day of visitation” could mean that day when Christ returns and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

The “visitation” Peter mentioned here could be the time when God visits lost sinners and saves them by His grace. The word is used in this sense in Luke 19:44. When these people do trust Christ, they will glorify God and give thanks because we were faithful to witness to them even when they made life difficult for us.