Christian Living in the Community: Christian living among non-Christians I peter 5;1-11

Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS1

 

Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about Christian living in the community. Enjoy the class!

Christian Living in the Community

Christians have been called out of the world to represent Christ. The origin of the word Christianity itself stems from their good conduct in their community. His disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts. 11 vs 26).

Christian live in communities with non-Christians. in most cases, people are jealous of Christians and are very fast in pointing accusing fingers at them to show that they are not righteous as they claim to be. This has been the case in the past and it is still the case today.

Christians should understand that they are God’s ambassadors in their communities therefore they are expected to live according to Christ standard. The standard is very high. A christian should be disciplined in all their conduct with the understanding that they have the watchful eyes of people who are not Christians who are very critical and are waiting for their mistakes.

It is very important that Christians are to apply this in their community. In addition to showing respect for constituted authority. Christians must comport themselves and show themselves as good citizens. People who watch them in their locality sometimes do not have access to the Bible, as such the Christians in their environment are their role model.

More importantly, there are others who do possess an understanding of the written scripture but have not received the Lord Jesus as their saviour. Some backsliders are on the lookout for those who will join them. The Christian, therefore, can be referred to as endangered species in his community. However, these individuals respect Christians who exemplified the life of Christ.

Peter’s teaching on the expected lifestyle of Christians living among non-Christians.

Peter in his epistle warned Christians to avoid any form of social vices and ensure they maintain a higher moral standard of living. The Christians are expected to live as for the ambassadors of Christ in order to disappoint the expectations of their enemies. This is very important because the Jews that always regarded themselves as a chosen race based on the fact that they are Descendants from Abraham. They’re not aware of the shifts that had happened (Salvation to the Jews). Christians are not to conform to the standard of this world rather they are to be renewed in the Spirit of their mind.

Christians as a chosen race and a royal priesthood

1. Peter describes Christians as a chosen race and a royal priesthood. They are referred to as God’s own people.
2. Christians have replaced the Jews as God’s chosen race
3. God now requires Christian to declare by their ways of Life those attitudes that justified them as believers.
4. Without their efforts, God made them his children.
5. They should, therefore, neglect their previous addiction to the earthly desires.
6. They should maintain good conduct and live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ and show good examples to the believers.
7. You should submit to all authorities because governments are appointed by God to punish offenders.
8. Christians should love one another and fear God.
9. As people who have been liberated from the curse of the law, they must not use their freedom as a pretext for evil.

How Christians can live their daily life in support of Peter’s description of them

1. Christians should render quality services to God
2. Christian should have respect for authority, elders of the community and laws of the country.
3. Christian should perform their Civic responsibilities such as payment of taxes, dues, rates, levies etc
4. Christian should acknowledge God in everything and give him the glory for achievements and success
5. Assist security agents when possible in the maintenance of peace and order in society.

Evaluation

What are the characteristics expected of Christians in their community according to this lesson?

Assignment

1. Explain Peter’s description of Christians as a chosen race and the royal priesthood.
2. Give two examples in Christians daily life to support the above description (June 2007 WASSCE).
3. How did Peter mean when they referred to Christians as a chosen race
4. How did you expect them to behave to civil authorities? (SSCE June 1998)

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Social Vices and Witnessing to Christ.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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