The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. (1 Peter 3:12)

Many years ago, prior to the building of the Interstate Highways, many northern motorists learned of a speed trap on the road to Florida. The sign was plain: 35 mph. But the road was clear and local motorists were zipping along at 50. However, if a Michigan license plate just moved with the flow of traffic, the driver went to court and paid a heavy fine.

Christians are out-of-state drivers on this earth. Peter calls us “strangers and sojourners.” It is no surprise that people of the earth, the worldly majority, are setting up “speed traps” for the believers in hopes of catching us doing or saying something wrong as we pass through on our way to heaven.

Around us non-Christians are “speeding” and driving recklessly with obscene language, lying, pushing selfish agendas and indulging in all sorts of behavior that they would immediately confront in another if they saw it. A double standard exists if one is known to be a Christian.

So what should we do? Peter suggests that we follow the “Speed limit.” In other words, if Christian behavior is defined a certain way, we need to live that way and give no cause or credence to those who watch for some spiritual infraction.

Anyone out there got a better idea than that?

Holy God of Justice, may we walk in Your light and walk a right path as the world waits to ensnare us in its own behavior!