No matter how good one is, there will be those who talk badly about him. Jesus
Christ is the perfect example. On earth, everything He spoke and everything He
did was good; yet, some claimed He had a devil (Jn. 10:20) and others claimed he
attempted to usurp Roman rule (Jn. 19:12). Even today, people mock His sinless
life by offering unfounded allegations that He had extramarital relations with
Mary Magdalene and He miraculously turned water into intoxicating alcohol.
Detractors of Christianity will always speak blasphemously of Christ, but He
successfully did all He could to avoid any factual charges of misconduct being
made.
Christians should be equally concerned about their behavior and “follow in his
steps,” for “no guile was found in his mouth” (1 Pe. 2:21,22). Peter said, “For so is
the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of
foolish men: As free, not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as
the servants of God” (1 Pe. 2:15,16). Notice from the text,
1. It is the will of God to do well.
2. Doing well silences (lit., “muzzles”) ignorant bad-mouthing by others.
3. Christian liberty does not include the liberty for licentious living (cf. Ro. 6:1-
6).
The Christian’s pattern of good works “cannot be condemned” (Tit. 2:7,8). Like
Pilate who said of Christ, “I find no fault in this man” (Lk. 23:4), others should
perceive Christians as faultless, humble, honest, trustworthy, respectful,
obedient to authorities, righteous and godly (Tit. 2:12; “without blame,” Ep. 1:4).
If sin does not characterize one’s life, then he does not need to worry that he is a
reproach to the wicked (cf. Ps. 39:8). Yet, so long as we give reason for others to
say something bad about us, we continue to hinder the growth of the kingdom,
for who wants to be a part of a professed spiritual people who merely prove to be
hypocrites (cf. Le. 19:14)? Peter trusted his Christian audience would positively
react to his words so they would be conducive to Gentiles’ obedience, not their
denial (1 Pe. 2:12). The Christian’s companions and friends, actions and words
are always being monitored by others. The world anxiously waits to see you fail
and is prepared to scorn. Do your best not to give anyone that opportunity.
