It is often said that one of the biggest barriers to becoming a Christian, for many people, is the behaviour of Christians. If Christianity really is true, surely Christians should act a lot more like Jesus and a lot less like everybody else; however many who loudly proclaim themselves to be Christians seem to be selfish and unkind. This runs counter to the instructions given by Peter in chapter 2 of his first letter:
Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and strangers, to stay away from sinful cravings, which fight against the soul. Live exemplary lives amongst unbelievers, so that even when they say that you are doing wrong, they can observe your good deeds and glorify God on the day of judgement… God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. Live freely, without using your freedom as a cover for wickedness, remembering that you are slaves of God.
“Exemplary lives” are meant to be lives filled with good deeds, and which silence the ignorance of foolish people. Followers of Jesus need to shed their images as the “disapprovers” and those who are known for the range of things they are against. Instead, we need to become known once again as the people who amaze others by our kindness and good deeds, even when others oppose our good deeds.