Pastor’s corner

1 Peter 2:15 "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." How is the "doing good" manifested in our lives?

1. Respect: In his book Right from Wrong, Josh McDowell writes, "Everyone wants to receive respect: children, adults, parents, politicians, comedians, singers, actors and athletes. We are less adept at giving it. If treating others with respect is a virtue, it seems to be one that is in fact disappearing from our culture." Peter writes (1 Peter 2:17) "Show proper respect to everyone." It is important that we give deliberate attention to showing respect to people, their life and their property.

2. Responsibility: David Seamand’s book "If Only" deals with the tendency to play the blame game. It has become a common practice in our culture to blame people for our actions rather than taking responsibility for our own actions. We choose our responses to what happens to us. We are responsible for our actions. That is why confession of sin is so vital to receiving forgiveness. If we don't own up to our sin, we are probably still blaming it on someone or something else. Accept responsibility for yourself and your actions.

3. Reverence: Our lives are to be lived in reverence of a holy, righteous, merciful, loving, forgiving God. Donald McCullough wrote in his book "The Trivialization of God" 'Reverence and awe have often been replaced by a yawn of familiarity.'

In Hebrews 12:28, 29 the author writes "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Reverence recognizes the value and worth of life, people, and God. Reverence expresses what is important to us.

Don Moore, Pastor

Colfax Church of the Nazarene