Among the Pagans...
We don’t always have to preach, and pull out bible verses to tell the truth fo Christ. Sometimes we just have to show up at the right time. Offer a word of encouragement. Listen when a person is down. Offer a prayer when it is needed. A hug to show love. It is the little things that we do that will plant the little seeds, that with time and prayer, we hope Christ roots into the heart.1 Peter 2:12 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.
Pagan seems like such a harsh word. Ethnos is the Greek word and it means the multitudes, those who lack faith in God, or believe in a different god. At the time Peter was talking about the Gentiles. Today it can be anyone that does not follow Christ.
The Message Paraphrase says it like this.
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
When we serve others in this way we honor God and work in his will…
1 Peter 2:15-17 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Not everyone can go into the mission fields of Africa. Not everyone is called to the ministry. However, we are all missionaries and ministers in a field of unbelievers. As followers of Christ we must find the little ways to be Christ and plant the seeds in the hearts of those who seek.
Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Our rewards will be in heaven if find these small way to spread the truth of Christ…Something as small as a cup of water.
Matt 9:41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
There is a line often used by a believer in Christ, when in a debate with an unbeliever.
If you are wrong and I am right, you lose everything. I if I am wrong and you are right I lose nothing.
What if though that person, the unbeliever, has lived a morally outstanding life? Yeah they have hit bumps along the way. but largely they are successful. House, Nice cars, big tv, extra money to spend when they want something new. Maybe they have a strong loving marriage and Family: Loves their spouse deeply. Never thought of cheating on their spouse. They have enough money they that they are very generous with. Kids well behaved. Lots of friends, and all in all friends would say just a great person. Now that person dies... What do they lose?
What if that person just can't catch a break? Born to a decent family. Mom and Dad not the best but do what they can. Tries to work through everything, just to get ahead. Always has a plan for the future, moves where the plan seems best. Always wishes for the better car, and wonders why they can't get the toys. Married maybe. Has the same problems in marriage their parents did. The lure of the other person is tough to ignore. Would give if they could. Friends are few but never close to know the true hurts. Now that person dies... What do they lose?
What if that person has had a rough life? Born into a broken family. Maybe they don't even know there Mom or Dad. They do what it takes to get buy, lie steal, cheat. Wandering from place to place without a real home. Watch the cars drive by. Reach through holes in their pockets to find no money for a cup of coffee. Lonely for most of their life. Relationships come and go. The only friend may be a bottle at the end of the night. Now that person dies... What do they lose?
Have you meet one of these people? They could be a mixture of the descriptions or completely different. Can you picture them in your head? Maybe you see them at work everyday, at the grocery on a regular visit, on the street corner....... What do they lose when they die?
Have you talked to them in the break room, said excuse me in the grocery, passed them buy on the corner? Have you shown them Jesus? .......What do they lose when they die?
Have you been quick to share the sports score with them, but not the victory of Christ? Have you cut them off in the parking lot, with your ichthus (fish) on the back of your suv? Have you passed them buy with an unopened bottle of water in your hand? ......... What do they lose when they die?
What if? You said hey it was a great game or good tv show, but can I tell you about my savior and His victory? What if you stopped them at the grocery ask if they were ok, and introduced them to the one who could right the wrongs? What if you stopped the car handed out the water, and showed the love we are commanded?
What if they all believe because you introduced, because you asked, because you loved? What if then they died? .... What do they lose?
John 14:5-6 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Math 16:15-16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 8: 34-38 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
If that person is you? Please know that you do not have to lose anything when you die. If you just believe in him, He will forgive you of your sins, and you gain everything He promises. What do you have to lose?
Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
John3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
