Rebuke

Hebrews 13:1 ~ "Let brotherly love continue." 

In the 19th century there was a preacher named Alexander Madaren who said this:  "The world...reads us a great deal more than they read the Bible.  They see us, they only hear about Jesus Christ."

Is my life a rebuke to the immoral pagan society around me? 

I Peter 2:12 and 15:

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

Here are several other verses that say pretty much the same thing:

I Peter 3:16

II Cor 8:21; 9:13

Phil 2:15

Gal. 1:24

Romans 12:10; 13:7

The unbelievers in the early Christian culture found it extremely diffifult to find fault with the Christians.  The more they observed them, the more they saw the believer living out the high moral standard the Christian professed.  

Christians in those days were obedient to Peter’s instruction: “For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).
They also heeded Paul’s advice to Titus: “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).

Jesus commanded His original disciples and us, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Of course, Jesus had in mind good works that were genuine and that came from a foundation of good teaching.

These verses ought to remind us, therefore, that doctrine and practice must go hand in hand. 

Doctrine = #1319.  διδασκαλία didaskalia, did-as-kal-ee´-ah; from 1320; instruction (the function or the information):—doctrine, learning, teaching.

Practice (or from NASB-Deeds) = #2041.  ἔργον ĕrgŏn, er´-gon; from a prim. (but obsol.) ἔργω ĕrgō (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by impl. an act:—deed, doing, labour, work.
Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

The author of Hebrews shifts naturally from doctrine and general exhortation to the specific admonitions of chapter 13. Love among believers is his starting point, and it should be ours as we seek to have a credible and worthy walk before the watching world.

***As I researched this I came across this commentary about Titus 2:7-8***
Titus qualified as a young man too, and so received some direct advice from the apostle. He must strive to “show himself” an example (typos, “pattern”) to all (but esp. to the other young men) in every good work (cf. 1 Tim. 4:15–16). In his public ministry of teaching Titus must show an integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Paul was always concerned lest those who oppose be provided ammunition for their attacks. Far better, said the apostle, that they be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. They would not cease their attacks, of course, but they might at least be embarrassed by having to make up their own false accusations.

Litfin, A. D. (1985). Titus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 764). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

So my question [mostly to myself, but also to you who might be reading this] is what does my life say to the world around me?