The Dutch theologian Johannes Blauw has written: 'There is no church other than the church sent into the world... The great apostasy is for any church, in an introverted mood, to imagine that it is the final goal of the purpose of God.' The church exists in the world as a means to the end of proclamation. It, too, is meant to be the 'light of the world'.
How is this prophetic and evangelistic ministry to be carried out? Peter gives us two ways: 'Your conduct ... should be so good ... that they will praise God' (2:12); and 'Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect' (3:15).
Holy proclamation is always to be by both deed and word.
What you do by way of humble service to others should always be consistent with what you say about the good news. We need both these 'legs' to carry us into the world!
May my deeds and my words be acceptable to you Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.
WORD AND DEED (2)
Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 1 Peter 2:12.
How important is Christian proclamation? Leonard Griffith expressed it well when he said 'Outreach, evangelism, and mission are not optional activities like bowling, billiards, and ping-pong for the members of a religious club. They are mandates from Christ himself, a part of the original givenness of the gospel' (We Have This Ministry p.87).
So, you see, we are not merely 'holy persons' for our own benefit; not even 'holy priests' for God's benefit; we are 'holy prophets' for God to the world. We are under an obligation to let the world see the excellencies of our God.
If the good news is a living reality to us, then we are forgiven and redeemed, released from the grip of sin and death and the devil. We are members of Christ's everlasting kingdom. And he is our Lord: we are ambassadors, accountable to him!
Lord, take my life and let it be consecrated to you, and your service in the world. Amen.
Conduct yourselves... so that... they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 2:12, 3:15.
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