Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:11-12 (New Living Translation)

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Peter encourages us to live properly in this world—a temporary home for us as foreigners. Notice how Peter emphasizes that we live among unbelieving neighbors. Peter doesn’t write,

live separate and apart from unbelieving neighbors

Instead, we live among them. I can interpret the translation too literally, but I don’t think I am doing this here. We live among the world, right in the middle of it, with all these unbelieving persons. We don’t live in a hidden valley or on the other side of the mountain or in an underwater cave.

In all circumstances, even when it costs us our 401K plan, we will live honorably for the honor and glory of God. That may not be a lot of fun on some days, and that is why I continually pray…God, please help me in my unbelief.