OUR DAILY BREAD                      Tuesday, January 17, 1995
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READ:  1 Peter 2:9-20

                     FOR OR AGAINST?

       "This is the will of God, that by doing good
   you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."

                     - 1 Peter 2:15

We don't have to look far in our society to find things
we don't like.  God has a standard of right and wrong, and
it  contrasts greatly with the crime, sexual immorality,
and declining standards of decency that seem to be every-
where.

It would be easy to do nothing but point out the wrongs
in our world and spend a lifetime denouncing them.  But
if we did, people would tire of listening to us and
eventually write us off as complainers.

A newsletter called "Communication Briefings" suggests a
more positive approach:  Instead of being "against" a
social ill, be "for" its remedy.  As an example, the
newsletter suggests, "Instead of being against illiteracy,
be FOR literacy -- and you will help improve literacy."

So how does this apply to us?  The apostle Peter said that
by doing good we will silence those who criticize us
(1 Peter 2:15).  For instance, instead of just speaking
out against immoral programming on TV, be in favor of
positive change -- and then work with local stations to
make it happen.  Instead of being against poverty, make a
tangible contribution in the life of someone who needs
help.

Let's be known as people who are for the good, not just
against the bad.

    -- J. David Branon

  While we may want to criticize
        Our sick society,
 We should instead do what is good
        To change the bad we see.

    -- Sper

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          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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 A little example can have
     a big influence.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 5-7

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1995, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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