Peter says this to the early church:
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12)
I’m as struck by what Peter doesn’t say as by what he does say.
Peter doesn’t say that a disbelieving world will “hear our good words” and glorify God.
He doesn’t say that a skeptical population will “read our good advertising” and so glorify God.
He doesn’t say that irreligious people will “hear our good music” and so glorify God.
None of that.
Skeptics become seekers and pagans become pilgrims by seeing the good deeds the church does in the name of the church’s Lord.
It’s the subtle yet enduring witness of a life lived with integrity and sacrifice.
It’s why some of the best preaching this church does is when we fan out into the greater Charlotte community through First Serve.
It’s why our students’ best evangelism comes through Spring Breakthrough.
It’s why, as one pastor says, we should never underestimate the power involved when the church becomes living proof of a loving God to a watching world.