Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you,
they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God (1 Peter 2:11)
Although Paul in Romans 12 says, "insofar as it depends on you, live peaceably with each other", we know that this is often very difficult. Especially if others have hurt us or wounded us.
To conduct ourselves honorably, we must put effort and energy into being honorable and peaceful in our dealings with others. It takes WORK!
When Jesus calls us love our neighbor as ourselves, I don't believe he means for us to have the same emotional depth of feeling for others as we have for those most dear to us. So, loving our neighbor isn't about feelings and emotions. It is about behavior.
Our reading today reminds us that our behavior toward others matters. Living with honor, treating others with fairness, and showing integrity in our relationships is up to us. As we do this, we reflect our faith and our Lord to the world. And this matters!
Jesus followers have a blessed opportunity to be the most generous, welcoming, committed, and courageous people. Following the example of Jesus we are called to live and love like Jesus. But like for Jesus, this is not easy nor without danger and struggle.
We need prayer to live and love like Jesus. We need scripture to help us live and love like Jesus. We need worship to help us live and love like Jesus. We need community to live and love like Jesus.
And as we learn to live honorably and love indiscriminately like Jesus, then the world will notice and the world will change!
Honorable Christ, through our actions and activities, may we be beacons of light and peace amidst the darkness of the world. Amen.
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