Simply Irresistible

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 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.”
1 Peter 2:11-12

It had been one of those kinds of weeks. That kink in my neck was still there, I had gotten one of those “thanks, but no thanks” emails from a church I had sent my resume to and inspiration seemed at an all time low. Then it happened, as I stood at the kitchen sink, washing dishes - inspiration at last! The old Robert Palmer tune “Simply Irresistible” popped into my head - followed by this week’s passage.

I googled the lyrics wondering if there was anything of spiritual value in them. There was perhaps a bit of truth there, not the biblical kind truth that can set you free or give you joy unspeakable. But perhaps we could say it is an example of how the things of the world, with its temporary pleasures can be irresistible. The kinds of things that the book of Proverbs warns against, the kinds of things Peter warns against in this week’s passage. 

We are supposed to be living our lives in such a way that our life styles are not only recognizably different, but so they are also irresistible to those around us. When we do live that way - reflecting Jesus everywhere we go and in everything we do, people are drawn to the difference and when they find out why - come to find Jesus irresistible too. So how do we do this? How do we live lives that draw people irresistibly to Jesus? Jesus tells his disciples “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). So first we of all those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ - need to get along, no more than get along we need to love one another. That means no more denominational one-upmanship. No more in fighting. 

Then once we are getting along with our brothers and sisters our everyday in the world life needs to look and feel different. Our live need to display the interconnected character traits of the fruit of the spirit, you know: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). 

When we behave in keeping with who we are and what we have been called to do in Christ our lives should irresistibly draw people to Him. 

This week I challenge you to be simply irresistible.

A Prayer
Father - thank you for drawing us irresistibly to You. Help us to live in such a way - loving one another and displaying the fruit of Your Spirit - so that others will be irresistibly drawn to you as well. In the name Jesus, we pray - Amen.