Above Reproach in a Crooked World

2:15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world...

Instead of moaning about the perversity of the world, as Christian people we need to be striving to be non-perverse in order to show a better way. Those who live in a crooked and perverse generation must prove themselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach.

Even while the world is desperately in need of Christ, it is searching for excuses not to surrender to Him. And one of the favorite and easiest excuses is the unchristlike lives of those who claim to follow Christ. So Paul tells us we must be blameless. There are other reasons for this, of course, but if the world can find reason to blame us then our witness will be ruined.

How many have cited the hypocrisy of Christians as a basis for not believing? Now that is no excuse for them, of course, but what they’re saying is true: many who call themselves Christians have not lived Christian lives, but have lived in such a way that even the world can see is evil. It is ammunition for them, and shame upon Christ’s name. We must do all we can to stop the flow of ammunition. At least I must make sure that no one is turning away from Christ because of ammunition derived from my life.

The key to our witness is to live lives that are different than the world. The world is crooked: we must be straight. The world is perverse: we must be upright. The world is grumbling: we must be joyful. The world is disputing: we must live in harmony.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; s o that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."

Father, forgive me for all the things I’ve done that have not reflected well upon Christ. Forgive me for all the times I’ve caused people to stumble by being myself instead of letting Christ be Himself in me. Lord, this world so needs light. And You have such light to give. I pray that my life would be a channel for Your light, and that Your light would not be blocked by my own grumbling and disputing and sinfulness. By the power of Your grace, make this sinner blameless and above reproach.