Honourable conduct

having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. - 1 Peter 2v12

So how do we handle the critics and naysayers who don’t understand why we fit in like square pegs in round holes? Now they speak against us, and many will stay against us, but we can make a difference in some lives by our words and our conduct.

The key is that we make sure that our conduct stays above reproach. The word used here literally is ‘beautiful conduct’ and it implies that our earthly conduct, no matter what we face, is beautiful, honourable, and honest. It is the kind of conduct that makes a difference. We are to let them observe our good works and insect them in greater detail.

Eventually, if we don’t change, some are going to realise that our conduct is real and genuine. Then, because our conduct backs up our words, some may one day join us in glorifying God.

Is our conduct before the world the kind that will hold up under closer inspection? Does it endure even in the face of opposition? Will it hold up to constant and close inspection?

That is our only hope of them joining us to glorify Him!