Faith Journey

1 Peter 2:1-2

At the start of the McCarthy era, Floridian Claude Pepper, one of the Senate’s most outspoken liberals, was on the conservatives’ “hit list” along with many other senators. George Smathers lashed out with some typical right-wing invective—he called his opponent “the Red Pepper”—and he launched a campaign to expose Pepper’s secret “vices.” Smathers disclosed that Pepper was “a known extrovert,” his sister was a “thespian,” and his brother a “practicing homo sapiens.” Also, when Pepper went to college, he actually “matriculated.” Worst of all, he “practiced celibacy” before marriage. conflict 1Naturally, rural voters were horrified, and Pepper lost. (Book of Lists No. 2, pp. 36-37)

1 Peter 2:1 says that we ought to strip off anything that will breakdown loving relationships within the family of God. “So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2:2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk” (NETBible)

What’s important is that we contribute to a community experience of safety, care and love where everyone can grow in our Christian faith and become a fantastic testimony to the community outside of ours.

It’s a heart of deceit, hypocrisy and envy that will stoop down and use the truth to bring a brother down. What’s more, we create a massive blemish on our Christian testimony (Galatians 5:19-21).

Let’s watch every word we say. Love your Christian brother and sister.