I received this question a few weeks ago, and it seemed like it was worth sharing, especially since the answer ended up being a simple little formula for helping an enemy avoid the horrors of Hell…

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
‭‭(1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬

Quick question. Is Peter saying that we should live in such a way that others, simply through observation of our lives, will turn to Christ because of our actions?

My answer was this:

Peter is sort of laying out a scenario with multiple steps.

First, you be faithful… Second, your enemies will accuse you of evil, but because you are faithful, they will have to lie about you… Third, you will continue to be faithful, and do good works, not just in general, but to your enemies… Fourth, because of the good you do for them, they will turn to the Lord,* (because you did good for them in His name) and glorify God at His second coming. Without your good works, they might remain enemies forever, and then the second coming would not be a day for them to celebrate, but dread.

*Here’s the catch, though: You being faithful and doing good to your enemies is within your power to do. That ball’s in your court. When it comes to your enemy experiencing your goodness and turning to the Lord… that’s out of your hands. It may happen, or it may not. There are a lot of stubborn people out there. Nevertheless, how many enemies will you convert if you never do good to them? Probably almost none of them. You have a much better chance to save an enemy’s soul by doing good than you do by ignoring them, and you have no chance to save them if you respond to their evil with evil of your own. Do good to all men, as Paul said (Galatians 6:10). Some of them will be evil, but maybe, by your doing good, they will change their evil ways, and glorify God because of you.

And wouldn’t that be good!

~Matthew