From very early on I was aware of the power of my choices. I realized I had to decide whether I wanted to add to the good or to the bad in the world. I had to decide how I was going to be remembered. I had to choose between the light and the darkness. The choice was easy then and it still is a no-brainer. I want to choose life-giving light. I want to be zealous for good. I want to stand on God’s side.

Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? ¹⁴ But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. (1 Peter 3:13-14, CEB, emphasis added,*)

When we are on God’s side, we live with the victorious Christ. Hence we can be happy no matter what. Because this world is not all there is. It is God’s kingdom that lasts forever. Doing good can be taxing sometimes but creating good is always better than creating bad. Even if we suffer for doing good, we’re still better off.

¹⁵ Instead, regard Christ as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.(1 Peter 3:15, CEB, emphasis added,*)

We are called to keep our hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ. We are called to regard Christ as holy in our hearts. We are called to live out and speak of our hope. Because our hope is what everyone craves even thought they might not yet know it themselves. Blessedly, our hope is available for anyone who asks for it.

¹⁶ Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience. Act in this way so that those who malign your good lifestyle in Christ may be ashamed when they slander you. ¹⁷ It is better to suffer for doing good (if this could possibly be God’s will) than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:16-17, CEB, emphasis added,*)

Chuck Swindoll has said “Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone – deep, non-hypocritical integrity.”

I would point out that the critical element for a godly lifestyle is Christ. Our good lifestyle draws others to God when we live in Christ. Otherwise our good lifestyle is self-righteous, prudish, preachy or all three.

The only way to lead an infectious godly lifestyle is to do it in Christ. But when we live in Christ, anything is possible. When we live in Christ, we live out our hope and faith in such a way that it draws others to Christ. When we live in Christ, we can be zealous for good.

 

Gracious God,
We are drawn to you.
You have the words of eternal life.
You have light, love, and all the good things
we so desperately need.
Empower us to be zealous for good.
Equip us for good lifestyle in Christ.
Fill us to the brim with faith, hope, and joy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you zealous for good? What keeps you going?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you continue creating good no matter what!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Tylyn Taylor, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Faith-filled Fridays, Five Minute Friday, Faith Jam, and the High Calling.